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5 Players With Most Runs In International Cricket

Virat Kohli Ranks 4 with 26884 runs [X.com]Virat Kohli Ranks 4 with 26884 runs [X.com]

The divine game of cricket has witnessed several great and legendary players scripting remarkable history with their unmatched talent and sheer passion over the past many decades. 

Cricket has always been a game of skill, endurance, and consistency. Very few batters, especially, left a powerful mark and became immortal in the history books with their prolific run-scoring abilities across all formats of the game i.e Tests, One-Day Internationals (ODI) and T20 Internationals (T20I). 

On that note, here at OneCricket, we walk you through the top players with most number of runs in international cricket across all the formats.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (IND) - 34,357 Runs

1. Sachin Tendulkar - 34,357 runs (X.com)1. Sachin Tendulkar - 34,357 runs (X.com)

Fondly remembered as the ‘God of Cricket,’ Sachin Tendulkar remains one of the greatest cricketers ever graced the sport. Having made his debut at the tender age of 16, Sachin had a 24-year-long career in international cricket where he scored a total of 34,357 runs across all formats. 

Tendulkar played 200 Tests, 463 ODIs, and a solitary T20I and also scripted the astonishing record of 100 international centuries that remains unbeaten till date.

Sachin Tendulkar retired in 2013 with 15,921 runs in red-ball cricket, 18 426 in ODIs, and 10 runs in the only T20I, thus making him a top-tier legend of the sport.

2. Kumar Sangakkara (SL)  - 28,016 Runs

Kumar Sangakkara  - 28,016 Runs (X.com)Kumar Sangakkara  - 28,016 Runs (X.com)

Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara is one of the most elegant and technically sound batsmen in cricket history. In an illustrious career that spanned over 15 years, the wicket-keeper batter scored 28,016 runs across 134 Tests, 404 ODIs, and 56 T20Is. 

His highest score was 319, with a total of 63 international centuries. Notably, Sangakkara was relatively more successful in red-ball cricket as he scored 12,400 runs in 134 Tests at a 57.40 average.

3. Ricky Ponting (AUS) - 27,483 Runs

Ricky Ponting - 27,483 Runs (X.com)Ricky Ponting - 27,483 Runs (X.com)

One of the greatest captains of world cricket, Ricky Ponting, led Australia to two World Cups and was a part of the squad that won several other ICC trophies. 

Ponting was aggressive and way ahead of his time in the early 2000s. He scored 27,483 runs in total across 168 Tests, 375 ODIs, and 17 T20Is. Even after his 17-year-long career ceased to exist in 2012, his record as a batter and captain remains unparalleled in Australian cricket.

4. Virat Kohli (IND) - 26,884 Runs

Virat Kohli - - 26,884 Runs (X.com)Virat Kohli - - 26,884 Runs (X.com)

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli is the only active player in the majestic list. As of this writing, Kohli has 26,884 runs to his name in 113 Tests, 292 ODIs and 125 T20Is. 

He once had an average above 50 across all formats and was deemed the most consistent batter across all formats during the pre-COVID era. 

Kohli is also chasing Sachin Tendulkar’s 100 centuries record as he already touched the 80 tons mark in 2024. Notably, Virat Kohli has witnessed far more success in ODIs as he is the one with most centuries in the format (50) and has accumulated 13848 in total.

5. Mahela Jayawardene (SL) - 25,957 Runs

Mahela Jayawardene - 25,957 Runs(X.com)Mahela Jayawardene - 25,957 Runs(X.com)

Mahela Jayawardene, another Sri Lankan great, scored 25,957 runs in his 18-year-long illustrious career. Jayawardene’s career included 149 Tests, 448 ODIs, and 55 T20Is. 

His elegant stroke play and ability to build innings made him a vital part of the Sri Lankan team for over a decade. Jayawardene’s partnership with Sangakkara is one of the most prolific in cricket history, and together, they led Sri Lanka to numerous memorable victories.