Top 10 Players With Most Runs in ODI (Updated 2025)

Cricket has evolved a lot in recent times, with the balance of the game shifting more in favor of batters across formats, where One-Day Internationals (ODIs) hold a special place. Interestingly, the very first ODI was played as a replacement after a Test match was washed out. Since then, the format has grown into one of the most significant and celebrated parts of the sport.

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 has scored the most ODI runs in international cricket.

Top 10 Cricketers with the Most Runs in ODI - Updated List

In recent years, ODI cricket has boomed a lot, where many batsmen scoring plenty of runs in the format and creating 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.

Who has the Most Runs in ODI Cricket?

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 ODI cricket, and let's find out who has scored the most ODI runs in international cricket.

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 sixes in ODI by an active batter. 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.

Former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma 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, where he ranks 10th in the most runs in ODI. 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 Indian skipper is among just six players to represent the country in over 300 ODI matches. He played 311 games, amassing 11,363 runs at an impressive average of 41.02. The left-hander also holds the record for the highest individual score by an Indian in a World Cup match, with his iconic 183 against Sri Lanka in the 1996 edition. His ODI career includes 22 centuries and 72 fifties, placing him 9th on the all-time list of highest run-scorers in the format.

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 one of the most MOTM in international cricket. 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 played a key role in Pakistan’s historic 1992 World Cup triumph. Over the course of his career, the former batter featured in 378 ODIs, scoring 11,739 runs with a top score of an unbeaten 137. His record includes 10 centuries and 83 fifties, placing him 7th on the list of all-time highest run-getters in ODI cricket.

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, making the 5th-highest run scorer in ODI.

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 match-winner. 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 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 and the 4th player to score the most runs in ODI.

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 centuries. 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 match-winner for India in crunch situations. Former Indian skipper Virat 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 left-hander has smashed 14,234 runs in 404 ODIs for Sri Lanka, making him one of the highest run-scorers in the format’s history. He is known for his elegant stroke play and classy batting style. Sangakkara had formed the backbone of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup alongside Mahela Jayawardene. His career includes 25 centuries and 93 fifties.

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.

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar 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 most international runs in ODI and also the most runs in ODI cricket by any batter.