Top 10 Run Scorers in ODI Cricket

Who Are the Top 10 Run Scorers in ODI Cricket?

The top 10 run scorers in ODI cricket are led by India’s Sachin Tendulkar, who finished his career with 18,426 runs. Virat Kohli is second with more than 15,000 runs, and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara is third with 14,234. This list is current as of October 2026.

Want to see how today’s best batters are rated? Read our guide to the ICC cricket ranking system.

Quick Facts About ODI Run-Scoring Records

Here are the key numbers behind the list:

• Most ODI runs: Sachin Tendulkar (18,426)
• Most runs by an active player: Virat Kohli (more than 15,000)
• Most ODI hundreds: Virat Kohli (55)
• Highest ODI score: Rohit Sharma (264 against Sri Lanka in 2014)
• Players with 13,000+ runs: Five
• Players with 10,000+ runs: 15
• Data as of: October 2026

Top 10 Run Scorers in ODI Cricket: Full List

Here are the ten batters with the most runs in men’s One Day Internationals:

• 1. Sachin Tendulkar (India): 18,426 runs in 463 matches (1989–2012), with 49 hundreds and 96 fifties. He was also the first batter to score a double century in ODIs, with 200 not out.
• 2. Virat Kohli (India): More than 15,000 runs and 55 hundreds, the most in ODI history. His average is around 59, the best in this top 10. He was the fastest to 10,000 runs, in 205 innings.
• 3. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka): 14,234 runs in 404 matches (2000–2015), with 25 hundreds and 93 fifties. He also holds the ODI record for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper.
• 4. Ricky Ponting (Australia): 13,704 runs in 375 matches (1995–2012), with 30 hundreds. He is Australia’s highest run scorer in the format.
• 5. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka): 13,430 runs in 445 matches (1989–2011), with 28 hundreds. He scored at a strike rate above 91 as an attacking opener.
• 6. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka): 12,650 runs in 448 matches (1998–2015), with 19 hundreds. He also holds the ODI record for most catches by a fielder.
• 7. Rohit Sharma (India): More than 12,000 runs. He crossed the mark on 30 September 2026 and became the seventh batter to do so. He is the only player with three ODI double centuries.
• 8. Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan): 11,739 runs in 378 matches (1991–2007), with 10 hundreds and 83 fifties.
• 9. Jacques Kallis (South Africa): 11,579 runs in 328 matches (1996–2014), with 17 hundreds. He also took 273 ODI wickets.
• 10. Sourav Ganguly (India): 11,363 runs in 311 matches (1992–2007), with 22 hundreds and a best of 183.

Just outside the list is Rahul Dravid, who finished with 10,889 runs.

Top 10 Run Scorers in ODI Cricket by Country

Five countries share the top 10, and India has the most places:

• India: Tendulkar, Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ganguly
• Sri Lanka: Sangakkara, Jayasuriya and Jayawardene
• Australia: Ponting
• Pakistan: Inzamam-ul-Haq
• South Africa: Kallis

That is five countries in total, with India holding four of the ten places.

Can Anyone Break Tendulkar’s ODI Run Record?

Tendulkar’s 18,426 runs are more than 3,000 ahead of Kohli, the nearest batter. No other player has even reached 15,500. Kohli would need to keep scoring heavily for several more years to catch him.

The record is built on longevity. Tendulkar played for 23 years and appeared in 463 ODIs. Kohli has scored his runs much faster, which is why he reached 10,000 in far fewer innings. His average is also higher.

Why the Numbers Can Look Different Online

You may see small differences between websites. This happens for two reasons:

• Kohli’s and Rohit’s totals are still changing, so a site that updates late will show an older number.
• Some pages list ODI runs for only one format or one date, so always check the “as of” line.

For the latest figures, check the ODI most career runs list from the Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians.

The Final Answer: Top 10 Run Scorers in ODI Cricket

To sum up, the top 10 run scorers in ODI cricket are Tendulkar, Kohli, Sangakkara, Ponting, Jayasuriya, Jayawardene, Rohit Sharma, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Kallis and Ganguly. Tendulkar sits far ahead at 18,426 runs. Kohli and Rohit are still active, so expect their totals to keep growing.