Sachin Tendulkar, the iconic Indian cricketer, holds the record as the leading run-scorer in international cricket across all formats. He stands as the sole batsman in history to surpass the remarkable milestone of 30,000 runs. Here is a list of the top 20 highest run-scorers in international cricket.
Cricket ranks as the second-most popular sport globally, and those who achieve prominence in the game are elevated to celebrity status, admired by millions of fans. In the realm of cricket records, few accomplishments match the prestige of scoring the highest number of runs in international cricket. To date, only a select 12 batsmen in the history of the sport have managed to amass over 20,000 runs across all formats of international cricket.
Renowned as the “God of Cricket,” Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar has etched his name in history by securing the record for the highest runs in cricket. He stands as the inaugural and sole player to surpass the 30,000-run mark. Tendulkar’s legendary status as the leading run-scorer in international cricket history continues to serve as an inspiration for generations of aspiring cricketers around the world.
Also Read: 10 Longest Sixes in Cricket History
Presented below is a compilation of the top 20 players who have amassed the highest run totals as batsmen across all formats of international cricket.
| Player | Matches | Total Runs | HS | BF | 100 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
| 1. Sachin Tendulkar | 664 | 34357 | 248* | 50817+ | 100 | 164 | 4076+ | 264 |
| 2. Kumar Sangakkara | 594 | 28016 | 319 | 42086 | 63 | 153 | 3015 | 159 |
| 3. Ricky Ponting | 560 | 27483 | 257 | 40130 | 71 | 146 | 2781 | 246 |
| 4. Mahela Jayawardene | 652 | 25957 | 374 | 40100 | 54 | 136 | 2679 | 170 |
| 5. Virat Kohli | 508 | 25852 | 254* | 32679 | 77 | 131 | 2554 | 283 |
| 6. Jacques Kallis | 519 | 25534 | 224 | 45346 | 62 | 149 | 2455 | 254 |
| 7. Rahul Dravid | 509 | 24208 | 270 | 46564 | 48 | 146 | 2604 | 66 |
| 8. Brian Lara | 430 | 22358 | 400* | 32839 | 53 | 111 | 2601 | 221 |
| 9. Sanath Jayasuriya | 586 | 21032 | 340 | 25910 | 42 | 103 | 2486 | 352 |
| 10. Shivnarine Chanderpaul | 454 | 20988 | 203* | 40150 | 41 | 125 | 2041 | 126 |
| 11. Inzamam-ul-Haq | 499 | 20580 | 329 | 32172 | 35 | 129 | 2076 | 193 |
| 12. AB de Villiers | 420 | 20014 | 278* | 26787 | 47 | 109 | 2004 | 328 |
| 13. Chris Gayle | 483 | 19593 | 333 | 25370 | 42 | 105 | 2332 | 553 |
| 14. Hashim Amla | 349 | 18672 | 311* | 28718 | 55 | 88 | 2138 | 93 |
| 15. Saurav Ganguly | 424 | 18575 | 239 | 29486 | 38 | 107 | 2022 | 247 |
| 16. Steve Waugh | 493 | 18496 | 200 | 32432 | 35 | 95 | 1705 | 88 |
| 17. Joe Root | 323 | 18336 | 254 | 27748 | 46 | 99 | 1815 | 103 |
| 18. Ross Taylor | 450 | 18199 | 290 | 24847 | 40 | 93 | 1766 | 273 |
| 19. Younis Khan | 408 | 17790 | 313 | 29367 | 41 | 83 | 1691 | 138 |
| 20. Allan Border | 429 | 17698 | 205 | 36136+ | 30 | 102 | 1661 | 71 |
During the Asia Cup 2023 clash between India and Pakistan, Team India, along with its standout players Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, made history. India clinched a resounding victory with a record-breaking margin of 228 runs. Virat Kohli showcased his batting prowess by scoring an impressive 122 off 94 balls, elevating himself to the 5th position on the list of cricketers with the highest runs across all cricket formats. Additionally, with this remarkable century, King Kohli secured the title of the fastest player in ODI history to achieve:
- 8000 runs
- 9,000 runs
- 10,000 runs
- 11,000 runs
- 12,000 runs
- 13,000 runs
The aforementioned 20 cricketers stand as the highest run-scorers in international cricket, marking their places among the greatest players to have ever graced the sport. From Sachin Tendulkar’s unparalleled 30,000 runs to contemporary stars such as Ricky Ponting and Kumar Sangakkara, these legends have made an enduring impact on cricket. Their legacies endure as a continuing source of inspiration for the upcoming generation of aspiring young cricket players.
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