Top 10 Fastest Runner in Cricket | Ranked 2025

Cricket is not just about fours and sixes. Sometimes, it’s the quick singles and doubles that win you matches. And for that, speed between the wickets is everything.

Quick running between the wickets helps batters keep the scoreboard ticking even when boundaries are hard to come by. The best players in the world know how to steal a single, convert it into a double, and put pressure on the fielders with every run.

From Dhoni’s lightning turns to Kohli’s unmatched stamina, these cricketers have made running between the wickets an art. We have listed the fastest runners in cricket and the players who have made running between the wickets an art.

List of Fastest Runner in Cricket - Updated

Running between the wickets is a skill that separates great batters from the rest. Some players have made a name for themselves just by how quickly and smartly they play while taking singles and doubles. The speed in cricket will enable players to reach the ball a little faster than others, and that minor second advantage is what makes the difference.

Who is The Fastest Runner in Cricket History?

The answer to knowing the fastest runner in cricket history will depend on the player who has unmatched fitness, quick reflexes, and sharp game awareness. Cricket is all about speed. While batting, how fast a batter can run can put extra pressure on the opponent. We have seen batters who don't believe in power hitting, but within no time they reach a score milestone and maintain the momentum of cricket. Let's check the details on the top 10 fastest runner in cricket.

10. Mohammad Kaif | India

Mohammad Kaif was one of India's fastest runner of his time in cricket. Now, you can see him doing commentary, and even during the fun session, he races around. Known for his fitness and sharp reflexes, Kaif ran like a bullet between the wickets. He was fast, alert, and had great coordination with his batting partners.

In Mohammad Kaif's cricketing career, he made around 57% of his Test runs and 65% of his ODI runs by running singles, doubles, and a few threes, not just by hitting boundaries.

What made Kaif stand out was his ability to push for quick singles even in pressure moments. His match-winning knock in the NatWest Final 2002 is still remembered, not just for the runs, but also for the way he kept rotating the strike. Mohammad Kaif was one of the few Indian players to be consistently praised by foreign commentators for his speed and running discipline.

9. Jonty Rhodes | South Africa

Jonty Rhodes was famous for his fast fielding, but he was also very quick while running between the wickets. He always ran hard, took fast singles, and turned them into doubles.

In ODI, Jonty Rhodes scored 5,935 runs in total, with 1,850 of those runs coming from boundaries. This means he scored 4,085 runs by running, which is about 69% of the total ODI runs. Similarly, in Tests, about 54% of the runs came from running, while in T20s, approximately 63%.

Even though he was not a big hitter, his speed helped him take extra runs. Back in the 90s, most players were not very fit, but Jonty was different. He was super quick and full of energy. His running speed was around 30.5 km/h, which made him one of the fastest in cricket during his time. Jonty is considered as one of the best fielder in the world.

8. Hardik Pandya | India

Hardik Pandya might be popular for his hard-hitting sixes and the uncontrolled attitude, but one thing you might not know is that he is one of India's fastest runner in modern cricket. He runs quickly between the wickets and always looks for extra runs.

In 114 T20I, 94 ODI matches, he scored 1812 and 1904 runs, respectively. Although he deals in boundaries, with 95 sixes in T20I, he is the fastest runner in cricket history. In ODIs, with 1,904 runs, 141 fours, and 76 sixes, about 46.4% of the runs came from running singles and doubles.

He comes from an athletic background, so his running is very sharp. Even in close games, the fastest Indian runner stays cool and runs fast. In T20 matches, he is a good partner because he never misses a chance to take quick runs. Hardik Pandya’s running speed is around 31 km/h.

7. AB de Villiers | South Africa

AB de Villiers might be retired, but when it comes to running between the wickets, very few come close. He wasn’t just fast, he was super smart. AB had the rare ability to read the field, judge gaps in a split second, and convert ones into twos like it was nothing.

He made running an art. His coordination with partners, especially in pressure chases, often made the difference for South Africa. Even bowlers feared him not just for his shots, but for how quickly he could rotate strike.

AB de Villiers' running speed often exceeded 30 km/h, and his ability to rotate the strike was a key part of his batting success. In the fielding, also, with his running speed, he took some fantastic catches.

6. Glenn Phillips | New Zealand

Glenn Phillips is one of the fittest and fastest runners in cricket right now. His running speed is really high, and he completes twos that most players don't even try. He is known for turning singles into doubles and always being quick on the field. Glenn Phillips uses an innovative running technique at the non-striker's end to get a quicker start and potentially avoid being run out, particularly in the context of "Mankading". This running technique helps him in generating speed and run at a different pace.

He is always focused, trusts his calls, and puts pressure on fielders with his fast running. Whether it’s a low total or a big chase, he always looks for extra runs. In New Zealand’s fitness tests, Glenn Phillips is always at the top when it comes to sprint speed and stamina.

5. Glenn Maxwell | Australia

Glenn Maxwell is known for big shots and reverse sweeps. But people often forget how fast he runs between the wickets. He is very quick, takes fast starts, and always looks to turn singles into twos.

Even in pressure moments, Maxwell runs hard and stays sharp. He reads the field well and trusts his partner, which helps him collect extra runs without hitting the ball to the boundary.

In the 2023 World Cup vs Afghanistan, even with cramps, he kept running fast and scored a double hundred. The fastest runner cricketer in the world showed that he is not just a big hitter but also a smart and fit player.

4. Ravindra Jadeja | India

Ravindra Jadeja is not just a great fielder or all-rounder. He is also one of India's fastest runners in cricket today. Whether he is batting with a lower-order player or trying to rotate strike, Jadeja's quick running helps keep the scoreboard moving.

He has sharp reflexes, quick speed, and a good understanding of the field. That’s why it’s very rare to see him getting run out. In close matches, his speed has helped India a lot.

The fastest Indian runner in cricket has scored nearly 7,000 international runs. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Jadeja and KL Rahul had a key partnership vs New Zealand. More than 40% of their runs came from quick singles and doubles.

3. David Warner | Australia

The former Australian opener, David Warner, may be known for his power hitting, but not many give him enough credit for his unbelievable running between the wickets. One of the fittest players in modern-day cricket, Warner is super quick on his feet, and he pushes his partners to run hard too.

Whether it’s singles, doubles, or turning ones into twos, Warner’s energy on the field is unmatched. His sharp calls and fast turns make him one of the most trusted runners in world cricket.

David Warner has over 19,000 runs in international cricket, and he represented Australia in 380+ matches. Nearly half of those runs of David Warner come from singles and doubles. This shows how fastest runner in cricket he is.

2. M.S. Dhoni | India

You talk about speed between the wickets, and M.S. Dhoni's name has to be there. Even in his late 30s, Dhoni was faster than most 20-year-olds on the field. His explosive first step, sharp turning ability, and fearless dives made him a nightmare for fielders. He didn’t need boundaries when he could run twos like a breeze. When he was on the crease, fans loved watching the mix of his doubles and singles with the hard-hitting sixes. The fastest Dhoni running speed is 31 km/h, which was recorded while running a double against Australia.

There were many moments in Dhoni’s cricketing career, which is proof that prove he is India's fastest runner in cricket history. However, that last-ball finish in the 2016 T20 World Cup vs Bangladesh might someone cannot forget. Dhoni didn’t throw; he ran with the ball and broke the stumps. That’s how fast and smart he was. MS Dhoni's last-ball run-out in India's one-run win over Bangladesh was also nominated as one of the Greatest Moments of ICC T20 World Cups.

1. Virat Kohli | India

When it comes to fitness and intensity, no one beats Virat Kohli. Even at 36, he runs like he’s 25! He’s always looking for that extra run, whether it’s a quick single or turning a one into two. A stat you might be surprised to know is that 41% of Kohli’s ODI runs have come from singles. In his 301-match ODI career, he has accumulated 5,870 runs through singles. The average Virat Kohli running speed is above 34 km/h, which makes him fastest runner in cricket.

Kohli’s hunger to keep the scoreboard moving has made him one of the best runners in the game. He rarely says no to a run, and his coordination with partners is top-notch, especially with Rohit, Dhoni, and now Gill. He has retired from Test and T20I now, but his speed on the field is still missed by all fans.

How We Analyse the Cricketer with Fastest Running Between the Wickets – Major Facts

When we talk about the fastest runners in cricket, it’s not just about who runs at the top speed. It’s about how smartly and consistently they run between the wickets, especially under pressure. Here are the key things we looked at:

• Speed and Agility: The player’s ability to complete a single run (22 yards) quickly matters a lot. But it’s also about how fast they can stop, change direction, and run again for doubles or triples. Good balance and quick movements help avoid run-outs and take extra runs. Sometimes, a small error in running between wickets can cost a batter his wicket.
• Stamina and Consistency: Running hard between wickets is tiring. The fastest runner in cricket keeps their speed and energy for the whole innings. They run fast every time they get a chance, no matter how long the game lasts or the situation on the field.
• Smart Decision-Making: Knowing when to take a run and when to stay safe is very important. Great runners read the field well, communicate clearly with their partner, and quickly decide if they can safely take an extra run without risking getting out.