Stats Wizard: Top 10 Best Batters List in ODI World Cup History
Sachin Tendulkar, the standout as we look at the top 10 most successful batters in the ODI World Cup history.
The ODI World Cup or the World Cup as the game has always shown is the ultimate sporting event in the history of the game. 1975 was the first time the world was exposed to the ODI World Cup, and there have been 12 such mega tournaments as of date.
The 2023 ODI World Cup is currently going on in India, and to date, there have been 23 batters who have scored more than 1000 runs in the tournament. But who are the top 10 most successful batters with the most runs in the ODI World Cup history? Well, let’s find out in this article.
Top 10 Batsmen with Most Runs in ODI World Cup History
#10: Sanath Jayasuriya – 1165 Runs
Inns: 37 // Runs: 1165 // Avg: 34.3 // SR: 90.7 // Hs: 120
At number 10, we have Sanath Jayasuriya with 1165 World Cup runs to his name. Jayasuriya, who played the ODI World Cup for Sri Lanka from 1992 to 2007 is the second-highest run-getter for Sri Lanka in the ODI WC history. Jayasuriya’s best performance as a batter came in 2007 where he amassed 467 runs from just 11 innings.
#9: Chris Gayle – 1186 Runs
Inns: 34 // Runs: 1186 // Avg: 35.9 // SR: 90.5 // Hs: 215
At number 9, we have another left-handed opener, Chris Gayle with 1186 World Cup runs to his name. Gayle has represented the West Indies in World Cups from 2003 to 2019. In these 5 World Cups, Gayle is only the second player aisde Guptill to have a double century to his name. Overall, Gayle’s best performance came in 2015 where he scored 340 runs from 6 innings.
#8: Virat Kohli – 1186 Runs
Inns: 29 // Runs: 1186 // Avg: 49.4 // SR: 86.1 // Hs: 107
Number 9 sees Virat Kohli, who has 1186 runs as of October 17 in the ODI World Cup. Quite surprising, but Kohli, who is currently representing India in the 2023 World Cup has both average and strike rate less than his career average in the World Cups. But with 7-8 more matches to go, hopefully, Virat is able to overpower his career average in World Cups.
#7: Rohit Sharma – 1195 Runs
Inns: 20 // Runs: 1195 // Avg: 66.4 // SR: 101.9 // Hs: 140
In just 20 innings, Rohit already has over 1000 runs to his name – that’s also the fastest by an Indian player in World Cup history. Playing only his third World Cup, Rohit is already a World Cup legend with 7 World Cup centuries to his name; the most by any batsman in the history of the tournament. With around 7-8 more matches to go, expect Rohit to surpass 1500+ runs, and be third or fourth on the list.
#6: Shakib Al Hasan – 1201 Runs
Inns: 32 // Runs: 1201 // Avg: 42.9 // SR: 81.6 // Hs: 124*
At number 6, we have Bangladesh’s best player in the history of their cricket, Shakib Al Hasan. Shakib, who represented Bangladesh in the World Cup from 2007 to 2023 has 1201 runs to his name in 32 innings. In addition to taking tons of wickets, Shakib has 12 fifty+ scores, which is the second-best among all batsmen to have played the World Cup.
#5: AB de Villiers – 1207 Runs
Inns: 22 // Runs: 1207 // Avg: 63.5 // SR: 117.3 // Hs: 162*
At number 5, we have South Africa’s legendary batsman, AB de Villiers. ABD represented South Africa in World Cups from 2007 to 2015, and in these three World Cups has already taken the cherry for their leading run-getter. ABD has scored 1207 runs in just 22 innings at a strike rate of 117.3; the highest among all batsmen.
#4: Brian Lara – 1225 Runs
Inns: 33 // Runs: 1225 // Avg: 42.2 // SR: 86.3 // Hs: 116
At number 4, we have West Indies’ leading run-getter Brian Lara with 1225 runs to his name. While Lara is the leading run-getter for West Indies in ODIs, his average of 42.2 is the lowest among the top 5 leading run-getters. Overall, Lara’s best performance came in 1992 where he scored 333 runs from 8 innings.
#3: Kumar Sangakkara – 1532 Runs
Inns: 35 // Runs: 1532 // Avg: 56.7 // SR: 86.6 // Hs: 124
At number 3, we have Sri Lanka’s leading run-getter in the ODI World Cup, Kumar Sangakkara. Sangakkara, who represented Sri Lanka in World Cups from 2003 to 2015 has 1532 runs to his name from 35 innings at a good average of 56.7. Overall, Sangakkara is the only player in World Cup history to have four continuous centuries to his name.
#2: Ricky Ponting – 1743 Runs
Inns: 42 // Runs: 1743 // Avg: 45.9 // SR: 79.9 // Hs: 140*
At number 2, we have Australia’s only batter on the list, Ricky Ponting. Ponting, who is famous for his fantabulous Captain’s knock in World Cup 2003 has 1743 runs to his name from 42 innings. Overall, Ponting has 5 centuries and 6 fifties to his name, and his best World Cup performance came in 2006 where he scored 539 runs.
#1: Sachin Tendulkar – 2278 Runs
Inns: 44 // Runs: 2278 // Avg: 56.9 // SR: 88.9 // Hs: 152
Finally, at numero uno, we have the undisputed king, Sachin Tendulkar, whose record of 2278 may remain unbeaten in the history of the game. Sachin, one of the only few players to represent in 6 World Cups has 2278 runs from 44 innings; the most in terms of innings as well as runs. Overall, Sachin’s performance from the 1992 World Cup reads 283, 523, 253, 673, 64, and 482 runs respectively.
So, that’s about the top 10 most successful batters with the most runs in ODI World Cup history.
Thanks for reading! From the most successful batters list shared above, who is your favorite batter in World Cup history? Please email your thoughts to business@cric8fanatic.com
ALSO READ: IPL 2023: Top 5 Players with Highest Percentage of Team Runs
