Top 10 Batsmen With Most Runs in ODI – Updated 2025

Cricket has changed its dynamics in the current era. The game has shifted more towards batters in every format. ODI (One-Day International) matches have a different importance in terms of cricket. The first-ever ODI game was played after a test match was washed out. Since then, it has been one of the most important formats of the game.

Over the years, numerous batters have secured their legacy in this format. Some extraordinary batters have regularly scored a significant number of runs during their prolonged careers. These cricketers have had a long-lasting impact on the sport. With their batting, they have delighted fans all across the world. They showcase some excellent resilience, skill, and composure in their batting. In this article, we delve into the top 10 batsmen with the most runs in ODI and find out who is the ODI highest score batsman.

How We Ranked the Most Runs in ODI - Ranking Factors

There has been a shift in the mindset of batsmen about scoring runs in ODI cricket, where nowadays batsmen look to score big by holding the wicket and putting the team into a winning position. We have ranked the cricketer with the most runs in ODI based on some ranking factors. The ranking factors follow as:

• Total Runs Scored: The total runs scored by the batsman in his career is the core metric in ranking the players with the most runs in ODI. It shows the total number of runs scored by the batsman throughout his career by playing up to mark against every team, and his consistency in scoring runs makes up a good total of runs scored in his career. The more runs scored in his career help in ranking the player higher.
• Batting Average: The batting average of the batsman is the average number of runs scored by the batsman in each match. This helps in understanding the batting abilities of the batsman, where he can score runs consistently and put all his efforts into making a positive impact on the game. The better batting average of the batsman indicates consistency and run-scoring reliability.
• Strike Rate: The strike rate is the pace of scoring runs, which is basically the measure of runs scored per 100 balls taken by the batsman. This shows how well the batsman is batting and especially at a good speed of smashing the ball. The strike rate of the batsman with a high run tally at a good scoring pace is more valuable.
• Centuries and Fifties Count: The number of centuries and fifties scored by the batsman during his career is important to add to his total runs scored in his ODI career. It is the number of centuries and half-centuries made by the batsmen that shows their capabilities to score big and make it into the list of most runs in ODI, as well as the ability to convert starts into big scores, especially centuries.
• Runs per Innings: The runs per innings is the ratio of runs scored per match by the batsman, which reflects the scoring efficiency of the batsman over time. It helps in understanding the consistency of the batsman and his scoring abilities across the matches.
• Performance in Key Matches: The performance in key matches is the level of performance of the player in the important matches, where it is not an easy task to score well and needs a player to perform well under pressure and make it count. It involves the runs scored by the batsman in World Cups, ICC events, or finals that get extra weight in the ranking.
• Opponent Strength: The opponent strength helps in understanding the opposition against whom the batsman has scored runs, which involves whether the batsman has scored runs against top-level opposition or not, reflecting the cricketing abilities of the batsman. The runs scored against the top bowling attacks, like Australia, India, and Pakistan, are more valuable.
• Match-Winning/Impact Innings: The runs scored by the batsman should have a match-winning impact, where the batsman scores runs with the motive of creating an impact on the game, with the belief of winning the match. It tells how often runs are contributed by the batsman directly linked to victories or key turnarounds in the match.

Top 10 Cricketers with the Most Runs in ODI Cricket

In recent years, ODI cricket has boomed a lot, where many batsmen have scored plenty of runs in the format and have created several records. Here is the list of the top 10 cricketers with the most runs in ODI cricket, including players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and even Mahela Jayawardene.

Which Cricketers have scored the Most Runs in ODI?

ODI cricket is one of the most entertaining formats of the game, as it combines the game style of the other two formats, i.e., test cricket and T20, where it makes the batsman play with patience as well as play with an explosive mindset. There are many cricketers who have been scoring well in the ODI cricket, and the ODI highest score batsman is explained below.

10. Rohit Sharma (India)

The team India captain is one of the most elegant batters to watch in white ball cricket. He has been one of the sweetest timers of the ball. Rohit Sharma has played in 273 matches for the Men in Blue and has the record for hitting the most number of sixes by an active batter in ODI cricket. Since his debut in 2007, he has been an amazing timer of the ball.

The 37-year-old’s career as a cricketer changed after he started opening for India in 2013. Since then, he has never looked back. Rohit has the record for the most double centuries by any batter in ODI cricket. The former Mumbai Indians captain has three double centuries beside his name. He also broke the long-held record of Sachin Tendulkar for the most centuries in World Cup matches back in 2019.

Rohit Sharma has scored 11,168 runs for the side with a sensational average of 48.76, and he has the highest individual score of 264 runs. He has been a crucial member of the Indian cricket team with his exceptional batting skills. His impressive ODI record also includes 32 centuries and 58 half-centuries.

9. Sourav Ganguly (India)

The Prince of Calcutta remains one of the finest red-ball captains for India. Under his leadership, the team made an amazing transition during the 2000s. The God of Offside, not only a brilliant captain but also a sensational batter in white ball cricket. Sourav Ganguly started his career back in 1992 when he had a rough patch. But after the initial struggles, he settled into the side and captained the side in the 2003 World Cup, which India lost to Australia in the final.

The former India captain is one of the 6 cricketers to have played more than 300 matches for the country in the 50-over format. He has featured in 311 matches for India and scored 11,363 runs for the country with an average of 41.02. The Southpaw has the highest individual score by an Indian in a World Cup game, scoring 183 against Sri Lanka in the 1996 World Cup. His ODI record also includes 22 centuries and 72 half-centuries.

8. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

The former South African all-rounder will be the best of all time. He is the only cricketer in the history of the game to score more than 10,000 runs and take over 250 wickets in both ODI and Test match cricket. Jacques Kallis had a solid technique along with some destruction. The former Protea cricketer has won the MOTM in the test cricket history. He has been an absolute legend of the game with bat and ball.

Kallis has featured in 328 ODIs for the Proteas. Over his prolonged career, he scored 11,579 runs, with his greatest individual score of 139 runs. His outstanding ODI career includes 17 centuries and 86 half-centuries. He remains one of the classiest South African batters of all time with his elegance and rock-solid cricketing technique.

7. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan)

Inzamam-ul-Haq was the finest middle-order batter for Pakistan. He could lead innings and perform in high-stakes games. Inzamam could pace innings correctly. As well as his superb technique against both pace and spin, which helped him to win matches for the side. In the Asian contingent, he was one of the finest batters of his era, with his lazy elegance and stroke-playing nature.

He was a crucial member of the Pakistan cricket team that won the 1992 World Cup. The former batter played in 378 ODI matches in which he scored a total of 11,739 runs, with his highest individual score standing at an unbeaten 137 runs, along with 10 centuries and 83 half-centuries.

6. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)

Mahela Jayawardene was one of the best batters for Sri Lanka in their golden era from the late 2000s to 2015. He was known for his calm demeanour and stylish stroke play, which helped in building innings and partnerships. He led Sri Lanka to the final of the 2007 World Cup but lost to a better and destructive Australian side.

The former Sri Lankan skipper appeared in 448 ODIs. During his career, he scored a total of 12,650 runs. With 19 hundreds and 77 half-centuries, he was a consistent middle-order batter for the country and a match winner with his long-time partner Kumar Sangakkara. His leadership abilities shone strongly as he scored a hundred in the 2011 World Cup final, but in a losing cause.

5. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)

The former left-handed opener was known as the finest opener of his generation. Sanath Jayasuriya changed the dynamics of opening in One-Day Cricket alongside his opening partner. Romesh Kaluwitharana and Jayasuriya are credited for revolutionising one-day international cricket with their blazing batting in the mid-1990s. The Southpaw is currently the head coach of the Sri Lanka team on a full-time basis.

Jayasuriya’s aggressive tactics at the 1996 Cricket World Cup clicked out. The strategy was to take advantage of the early fielding restrictions by smashing the opening bowlers to all parts of the cricket pitch. Notably by lofting their deliveries over the infield. He was a crucial member in winning the 1996 World Cup for Sri Lanka. The former opener has scored 13,430 runs in 445 matches from 1989 to 2011, along with 28 centuries to his name.

4. Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Ricky Ponting is the greatest-ever captain in world cricket. He is the only captain to win two ODI World Cups for the Kangaroos. Played in the finest era of the cricketing generation. His ability to destroy bowlers with ease earned him the title of matchwinner. Aside from his batting prowess, his leadership quality changed the dynamics of the Australian squad and turned them into a cricketing powerhouse.

Ponting has scored the third most number of centuries in international cricket with 71 tons to his name. In ODIs, he has a total of 13,704 runs in 375 matches for the Aussies. Along with this, he has 30 centuries and 82 half-centuries in the 50-over format of the game. That makes him one of the finest batters in cricketing history.

3. Virat Kohli (India)

Virat Kohli is the greatest 50-over batter of all time. He is a once-in-a-generation talent. The former India captain currently sits atop with the most number of centuries by an active cricketer, with 82 international hundreds. The “Chase Master” is one of the most prolific run scorers in ODI history and is known for his aggressive approach on the field.

His consistency in white ball cricket has redefined modern cricket. Kohli has 51 hundreds, which is the most by any batter in the ODI format. This showcases his capacity to perform in high-pressure scenarios. He has been a matchwinner for India in crunch situations. Kohli has featured in 302 matches for the Men in Blue and scored 14,181 runs. He is just 53 runs behind to become the 2nd batter for most runs in ODI format.

2. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)

Kumar Sangakkara is one of the most elegant left-handed batters of all time. The former Sri Lanka captain’s ability to anchor innings or accelerate as needed made him a valuable asset for the side. A great wicketkeeper-batsman, Sangakkara’s efforts extended beyond batting as he led Sri Lanka to several historic wins for the side. He also led his side in the 2011 World Cup, losing to India.

The Southpaw has scored 14,234 runs in 404 one-day internationals for the Lankans, which is one of the highest ODI runs by a batsman. Sangakkara was known for his beautiful stroke play and elegant style of batting. He was the backbone of Sri Lanka’s batting order along with Mahela Jayawardene. He has 25 centuries and 93 half-centuries. But his record for most runs in odi is in danger as Virat Kohli is just a few runs behind him and might surpass him as well.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)

Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest cricketer of all time. The ‘God of Cricket’ has achieved numerous milestones in his prolonged career of 24 years. Tendulkar’s ability to adapt to different conditions and bowlers helped him become a legend of the game. The former India captain’s memorable double century in ODIs created a benchmark for excellence. Beyond numbers, he inspired millions with his passion and humility, transforming cricket into a religion in India.

Sachin remains the cricketer with the most runs in international cricket, and it will be really difficult to surpass his 100 centuries record, even though Virat Kohli is 18 centuries away from tying with him. He featured in 463 matches for India, showcasing unparalleled consistency, and has scored 18,426 runs in ODI cricket, which is the highest ODI runs by a batsman and also the most runs in ODI cricket by any batter.