Asia Cup History: Ranking the Leading Run Scorer for Team India
Sachin Tendulkar, the standout as we look at the top 10 leading run scorer for Team India in Asia Cup history.
If there is one tournament that generates a lot of buzz among Indian and Pakistan cricket fans, it is the Asia Cup. This year’s Asia Cup shall be played in a 50-overs format from August 30 to September 17. While we have a couple of weeks left, let’s look at the leading run scorer for Team India in Asia Cup ODI format history.
Ranking the Leading Run Scorer for Team India in Asia Cup History
#10: Virender Sehwag – 509 Runs
Inns: 13 // Runs: 509 // Avg: 39.2 // SR: 113.9 // HS: 119
At number 10, we have the dashing opener, Virender Sehwag. Viru Pa as we call him has played in Asia Cup from 2004 to 2010. In the 13 innings that Sehwag has played for India, he has scored 509 runs at a superb strike rate of 113.9; the second-highest among the top 10 run getters.
#9: Sourav Ganguly – 518 Runs
Inns: 12 // Runs: 518 // Avg: 51.8 // SR: 74 // HS: 135*
At number 9, we have another Indian opener, Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly has played an innings less than Sehwag, but has scored 9 runs more than him at a better average of 51.8. However, Ganguly has the lowest strike rate of 74 among the top 10 run getters in Asia Cup history. Overall, Ganguly has 518 runs from 12 innings with a highest score of 135.
#8: Navjot Singh Sidhu – 530 Runs
Inns: 12 // Runs: 530 // Avg: 66.3 // SR: 77.7 // HS: 104*
Coming to the number 8 position, we once again have an opener in the form of Navjot Singh Sidhu. Sidhu has scored a total of 530 runs in 12 innings from 1988 to 1997. Sidhu’s average of 66.3 remains the highest among the top 10 run getters in Asia Cup history. However, Sidhu’s strike rate of 77.7 is the second-lowest among the top 10 run getters.
#7: Shikhar Dhawan – 534 Runs
Inns: 9 // Runs: 534 // Avg: 59.3 // SR: 91.4 // HS: 127
Number 7 sees another opener in the form of Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan, who represented India in Asia Cup from 2014 to 2018 has played only 9 ODIs in this period; that’s the least among the top 10 run getters. However, even then, Dhawan is seventh on the list with a total of 534 runs under his belt at an average of 59.3 and a strike rate of 91.4.
#6: Suresh Raina – 547 Runs
Inns: 13 // Runs: 547 // Avg: 60.8 // SR: 113.9 // HS: 116*
Finally, at number 6 we see the first middle-order batter in the form of Suresh Raina. Raina successfully represented India in the Asia Cup from 2008 to 2012. He has played a total of 13 matches with 547 runs under his belt. Not only his average of 60.8, but his strike rate of 113.9 is also a standout among the top 10 run getters.
#5: Gautam Gambhir – 573 Runs
Inns: 13 // Runs: 573 // Avg: 44.1 // SR: 89.9 // HS: 100
At number 5, we have one of India’s best match winner, Gautam Gambhir. Gauti has represented India in Asia Cup from 2008 to 2012, and has only played as an opener. In 13 Asia Cup innings, Gauti has scored a solid 573 runs with a century and 5 fifties to his name. His average of 44.1 and Strike rate of 89.9 are good too.
#4: Virat Kohli – 613 Runs
Inns: 10 // Runs: 613 // Avg: 61.3 // SR: 97.1 // HS: 183
Coming to number 4, we currently have Virat Kohli, but this may soon change after Asia Cup 2023. Kohli has played only two Asia Cups to date with the last being played in 2014. He was rested for Asia Cup 2018, but even then he found himself in the number 4 position. Overall, Kohli has scored a stunning 613 runs from 10 innings, and the tournament’s highest score of 183 also belongs to him.
#3: MS Dhoni – 648 Runs
Inns: 16 // Runs: 648 // Avg: 64.8 // SR: 87.7 // HS: 109*
Coming to number 3, we have the former Indian Captain Cool, MS Dhoni. Playing the role of a finisher, MS Dhoni has scored a solid 648 runs in the Asia Cup from 200 to 2018. He has played in four Asia Cups, viz., 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2018. Overall, Dhoni has 648 runs under his belt at a good average of 64.8 and a good strike rate of 87.7.
#2: Rohit Sharma – 745 Runs
Inns: 21 // Runs: 745 // Avg: 46.6 // SR: 84.9 // HS: 111*
Number 2 sees India’s current Captain, Rohit Sharma with a total of 745 runs under his belt in the Asia Cup. Rohit has been a part of all Asia Cup since 2008, and thus has played a total of 22 matches to date. While Rohit’s average of 46.6 may look relatively bad as compared to the competition, it is not bad by any means. What’s more, Rohit has hit 17 sixes to date in Asia Cup, which is the highest by an Indian opener.
#1: Sachin Tendulkar – 971 Runs
Inns: 21 // Runs: 971 // Avg: 51.1 // SR: 85.5 // HS: 114
Leading by a far margin is the leading run-scorer in Asia Cup history, Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin has represented India in the Asia Cup from 1990 to 2012. In the 21 innings that Sachin has played in the Asia Cup, he has scored 971 runs at an average of 51.1 and a strike rate of 85.5. Sachin has 7 fifties to his name, the most by any Indian player in Asia Cup.
So, that’s about the ranking of the leading run-getter for Team India in Asia Cup history.
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