ODIs cricket is more than just a 50-over game; it is about passion, pressure, and dominance. From Sachin Tendulkar’s unforgettable greatness to Jayawardene’s elegance, Ponting’s power, Dravid’s calmness, and Rohit’s every player plays a key role in this format of cricket. Over the years, this format has created many batting records, especially in terms of scoring runs across careers. Let us look at who the most successful ODI hitters are.
1. Sachin Tendulkar-The Pinnacle of ODIs Batting
Often referred to as the ‘God of cricket’, Sachin Tendulkar’s career is the gold standard in ODI cricket. For more than 23 years, from 1989 to 2012, Tendulkar scored 18,426 runs in 463 matches, making him the leading run-scorer in ODI history by a significant margin. With 49 centuries (scores of 100 or more in a single innings) and 96 half-centuries (scores of 50-99), he has the most centuries in ODIs. His highest ODI score, 200 not out, came against South Africa in Gwalior in 2010, the first double-century recorded in ODI cricket, transforming the way batters approached the 50-over format.
2. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) The Elegant Run Machine
Kumar Sangakkara is one of the top-quality players in ODI history, ranking second on the all-time list of ODI run-scores, and is ranked among the finest batters this form has produced. From 2000 to 2015, with a fantastic international career spanning 15 years, Sangakkara scored 14,234 runs in 404 one-day internationals. He made him the most iconic left-handed batsman in ODI history, even at the time of his retirement.
Sangakkara is known for his classical technique, sound temperament, and smooth timing. He recorded 25 ODI centuries and 93 half-centuries, showcasing his reliability across series and tournaments, while also scoring massive runs. His achievements of 14,000 runs keep him among an elite squad of batsmen who have experienced peak performance over their elongated careers in the 50-over format.
In the most important tournaments, Sangakkara’s impact was solid. He featured in four ICC Cricket World Cup finals (2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015), an unmatched record that reflects his central role in Sri Lanka’s ODI success across various generations.
3. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting’s One-Day International career is dominated at the highest level. Between 1995 and 2012, he scored 13,704 runs in 375 ODIs across 365 innings, averaging 42.03, a remarkable consistency across eras and conditions. Ponting scored 30 centuries and 82 half-centuries, showing his ability to play both long, match-defining matches and authentic top-order contributions.
His stroke play relied on authority rather than improvisation, which helped him hit over 1,200 fours, nearly 1,231, and more than 160 sixes, around 162 in ODI cricket. Ponting also featured in ICC events, scoring heavily across multiple World Cups and playing an essential role in Australia’s 2003 and 2007 World Cup victories as captain. Beyond statistics, his tactical leadership, sharp cricketing ideas, and capacity to perform in high-pressure matches established him as one of the most complete and influential ODI batters in cricket history.
5. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) Power-Hitting Run Accumulator
Sanath Jayasuriya ended his ODI career with a total of 13,430 runs in 445 matches between 1889 to 2011. This makes him one of the highest run-scorers in the ODI era. He made these runs at an average of 32.36, with 68 half-centuries and 28 centuries. He scored 189, the highest. Jayasuriya was an iconic boundary hitter with a smooth strike rate. During his career, he has scored 1,500 boundaries and 270 sixes, demonstrating his dominant batting technique. With this power-hitting batting, he has been considered Sri Lanka’s power play force for two decades. He was awarded multiple Player of the Match performances in essential run chases, along with high-scoring matches.
6. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) Consistent Middle-Order Run Producer
Mahela Jayawardene, one of the best batsmen in ODI cricket, made 12,650 runs in 448 ODIs across 418 innings. Started in 1998, played till 2015 with a highest score of 144, including 77 half-centuries and 19 centuries. It demonstrates his consistency and remarkable batting in the middle order. 33.37 is his average, which displays how much effort he had put across overseas conditions as well as in subcontinental conditions.
Mahela often saved Sri Lanka from collapsing after losing wickets sooner in matches. His strong partnerships with his teammates helped his team win crucial matches and series. In ICC tournaments such as the World Cup and the Champions Trophy, he has earned several Player of the Match awards, with his calm leadership and smooth partnerships helping Sri Lanka win.
7. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) — Steady Middle-Order Scorer
With 11,739 runs in 378 ODIs in 350 innings beginning from 1991 to 2007, Inzamam-ul-Haq is the highest scorer of 137 not out. He scored 10 centuries and 83 half-centuries, leading his team to win major tournaments. This shows how responsible he is as a batsman and his ability to help the team win. His 39.52 average reflects him as a reliable player for Pakistan in the middle order. Inzamam is known for his calm temperament. When his team needed him, he stood as a consistent middle-order batsman and helped them win multiple times. He was awarded Player of the Match multiple times for crucial innings for Pakistan whenever the team lost momentum.
8. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Jacques Kallis was called the backbone of South Africa’s ODI batting lineup. This Player, who brought assurance and stability to the team, has played 328 ODIs. He reached his peak from 1996 to 2014, dominating with 11,579 runs in 314 innings, including 139 scores, 86 half-centuries, and 17 centuries. The average of 44.36 reflects his solid defence and the right time to attack the bowlers in any conditions. In any phase of the game, whenever the team needed him, Kallis stood like a rock, giving solid performances.
9. Sourav Ganguly (India) Leading Indian ODI Run Contributor
Ganguly, the prominent face of India, smashed 11,363 runs in 311 ODIs, in 300 innings. From 1992 to 2007, he scored 183, including 72 half-centuries and 22 centuries, with an average of 41.02. He is one of India’s most stable ODI batsmen. Ganguly’s aggressive form of opening with the other opener gave India a decent start in every game. His leadership, his approach, and achievements as Player of the Matches in multiple games make him one of the best ODI players.
10. Rohit Sharma (India) Hitman machine
Rohit Sharma, a.k.a Hitman, has had a marked ODI career marked by massive runs, masterclasses, and record-breaking knocks. In 279 ODIs innings of 271, he recorded 11,516 runs with the highest score of 264, the highest score by a player in ODI history. He carries an excellent average of 49.21, with 33 centuries and 61 half-centuries. These masterclasses by Rohit place him among the top players in the ODI era.
In 2014, Sharma’s iconic 264 knock against Sri Lanka marked one of the best innings ever played in cricket history. In this match, Sharma showed dominance, power, and patience, hitting all the boundaries and sixes in the best possible way. Throughout his career, he is known for massive six-hitters, the best opener, and his special pull shot. He has delivered countless match-winning performances across bilateral series and ICC tournaments.
11. Rahul Dravid (India)
The calm and composed Player who scored 10,889 runs in 344 ODIs between 1996 and 2011, batted in 318 innings. He has 12 centuries, 83 half-centuries, with the highest score of 153, along with an average of 39.16. Dravid was really reliable in all kinds of conditions and against all types of opposition. Under his name, he has many MOMs, 2024 T20 World Cup as a Coach, and is the Rajasthan Royals coach. His ODI record shows consistency as both a player and a coach.
12. Brian Lara (West Indies)
A pure class and dominance against the best bowlers of the world, a man who stood tall at the crease to just win. Started from 1990- 2007, 10,405 runs in 299 ODIs in the pocket, with a highest score of 169, carrying an average of 40.48. His achievements include 63 half-centuries and 19 centuries, which place him among the elite ODI players of his generation. His knocks in harsh conditions made him an essential key in the West Indies batting lineup.
13. AB de Villiers (South Africa)
AB de Villiers’s era started from 2005 – 2018, scored 9,577 runs in just 228 ODIs, registered a highest score of 176. With a fantastic average of 53.50, he killed it, scoring 53 half-centuries and 25 centuries, proving how consistent he was. Renowned for moving his bat in 365 degrees, hitting massive sixes in the middle, and death overs. He made his ODI journey highly impactful and unforgettable.
