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One-Day Internationals (ODIs) have been a mainstay of the sport since its onset. Throughout the years, numerous batters have made significant contributions to their respective teams in the 50-over format, with many creating a memorable impact.
India has also produced several power-hitting batters who have showcased their prowess in this format. Additionally, India exhibited their legacy in the Cricket World Cups, securing three titles and finishing as runners-up twice.
In this article, we’ll look at the top five Indian batters with the most runs in the history of one-day cricket. Despite individual achievements, these batters have also played crucial roles in India’s success in the format over the years. They have shown exceptional batting performances, particularly under pressure in various major events.
Legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar is topping the list with nearly 19000 runs to his name. Among the top five run-scorers of India, only two are active players, while the remaining two are former players.
Here are the top 5 batters with the most ODI runs for India:
| Player | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Average | SR | 100 | 50 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1989-2012 | 463 | 18426 | 200* | 44.83 | 86.23 | 49 | 96 |
| Virat Kohli | 2008-2024 | 295 | 13906 | 183 | 58.18 | 93.54 | 50 | 72 |
| Saurav Ganguly | 1992-2007 | 308 | 11221 | 183 | 40.95 | 73.65 | 22 | 71 |
| Rohit Sharma | 2007-2024 | 265 | 10866 | 264 | 49.16 | 92.43 | 31 | 57 |
| Rahul Dravid | 1996-2011 | 340 | 10768 | 153 | 39.15 | 71.18 | 12 | 82 |
Sachin Tendulkar – 18426 runs
Having accumulated 18,426 runs, legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar sits atop the all-time runs chart in one-day cricket. His highest score in ODI cricket was an unbeaten 200. Tendulkar, who has represented India in ODIs between 1989 and 2012, has played 463 matches in this format. He has achieved 49 centuries, a record that stood until 2023 when Virat Kohli surpassed it. The Master Blaster also scored 96 fifties, a record that remains intact.
Tendulkar has demonstrated his prowess in various marquee events. He was the top scorer in both the 1996 and 2003 World Cups. Throughout his celebrated career, he participated in six Cricket World Cups and played a vital role in India’s successful World Cup in 2011.
Highlights of Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI records
Batting Records
- Most runs in one-day cricket career: 18,426 (1st)
- Most runs in an innings: 200* (12th)
- Most runs in a series: 673 (3rd)
- Most runs in a calendar year: 1,894 (1st)
- Most hundreds in a career: 49 (2nd)
- Most hundreds in a calendar year: 9 (1st)
- Most nineties in career: 18 (1st)
- Dismissed for 99 (and 199, 299, etc.): 99 (1st)
- Most 50+ scores in career: 145 (1st)
- Most sixes in career: 195 (9th)
- Most fours in career: 2,016 (1st)
Fastest Career Runs
- Fastest to 14,000 runs: 350 innings (1st)
- Fastest to 15,000 runs: 377 innings (1st)
- Fastest to 16,000 runs: 399 innings (1st)
- Fastest to 17,000 runs: 424 innings (1st)
- Fastest to 18,000 runs: 440 innings (1st)
Individual Records
- Most matches in career: 463 (1st)
- Most player-of-the-match awards: 62 (1st)
- Most player-of-the-series awards: 15 (1st)
- Longest career: 22 years 91 days (1st)
Virat Kohli – 13906* runs
Flamboyant India batter Virat Kohli is arguably one of the biggest match-winners in ODI cricket. The right-handed batter has been occupying the number two position in the list of Indian batters with the most runs in the format. Debuting in 2008, he has accumulated 13,906 runs in 295 games at an average of 58.18 and a strike rate of 93.54.
Kohli was a standout performer in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, achieving 765 runs—the highest in the tournament. In addition, he holds the record for the most centuries in one-day cricket, with 50 to his name. He achieved this feat during the 2023 World Cup, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
Highlights of Virat Kohli’s ODI records
Batting Records
- Most Runs in one-day cricket Career: 18,426 (1st)
- Most Runs in an Innings: 183 (24th)
- Most Runs in a Series: 765 (1st)
- Most Runs in a Calendar Year: 1,460 (13th)
Averages
- Highest Career Batting Average: 58.18 (3rd)
Hundreds
- Most ODI centuries: 50 (1st)
- Most Hundreds Against One Team: 10 (1st)
- Most Hundreds in Consecutive Innings: 3 (2nd)
Nineties
- Dismissed for 99: 99 (1st)
Fifties
- Most Fifties in Career: 122 (2nd)
Fastest Career Runs
- Fastest to 8000 Runs: 175 (1st)
- Fastest to 9000 Runs: 194 (1st)
- Fastest to 10000 Runs: 205 (1st)
- Fastest to 11000 Runs: 222 (1st)
- Fastest to 12000 Runs: 242 (1st)
- Fastest to 13000 Runs: 267 (1st)
Sourav Ganguly – 11221 runs
Legendary India opener Sourav Ganguly ranks third among Indian batters with the highest ODI runs. Played between 1992 and 2007, the former captain has scored 11,221 runs from 308 matches at an average of 40.95. Throughout his career, he has notched up 22 centuries and 71 fifties. Moreover, since he represented Asia XI, his cumulative ODI runs is 11,363.
Highlights of Sourav Ganguly’s ODI records
Batting Records
- Most Runs in one-day cricket Career: 11,363 (9th)
- Most Runs in a Calendar Year: 1,767 (2nd)
Hundreds
- Most Hundreds in a Career: 22 (10th)
- Most Hundreds in a Series: 3 (4th)
- Most Hundreds in a Calendar Year: 7 (2nd)
- Most Hundreds Against One Team: 4 (43rd)
Nineties
- Most Nineties in Career: 6 (10th)
Fifties
- Most Fifties in Career: 94 (9th)
Rohit Sharma – 10866* runs
Known for his elegant batting style, Rohit Sharma is one of the best big hitters India has ever produced. The current Test and ODI captain have so far amassed 10,866 runs at an average of 49.16. During this process, he has recorded 31 centuries and 57 half-centuries in ODIs.
The star opener has showcased his prowess in various ICC events. One among these was the 2019 Cricket World Cup. He was the leading run-scorer in the tournament, amassing 648 runs in just nine matches. He smashed five centuries during this tournament and became the first player in World Cup history to achieve this feat.
Furthermore, he holds the record for the most double centuries in ODIs, with three. His best score 264 runs came against Sri Lanka in 2014 is the highest individual score in ODI history.
Highlights of Rohit Sharma’s ODI records
Batting Records
- Most Runs in one-day cricket Career: 10,866 (11th)
- Most Runs in an Innings: 264 (1st)
- Most Runs in an Innings (by Batting Position): 264 (1st)
- Most Runs in a Series by a Captain: 597 (2nd)
- Most Runs in an Innings by a Captain: 208* (2nd)
Hundreds
- Most Hundreds in a Career: 31 (3rd)
- Most Hundreds in a Series: 5 (1st)
- Most Hundreds in a Calendar Year: 7 (2nd)
- Most Hundreds Against One Team: 8 (4th)
- Hundreds in Consecutive Innings: 3 (2nd)
Nineties
- Dismissed for 99: 99 (1st)
Rahul Dravid – 10768 runs
Rahul Dravid was a pillar in India’s middle order for over a decade. The former India captain has scored 10,768 runs in 340 ODIs at an average of 39.15.
The right-handed batter has scored 12 centuries and 82 fifties, with his highest score of 153 coming against New Zealand in 1999 in Hyderabad. Overall, he accumulated 10,889 runs in the ODI format, including 121 runs while playing for Asia XI and ICC XI.
Highlights of Rahul Dravid’s ODI records
Batting Records
- Most Runs in one-day cricket Career: 10,889 (10th)
- Most Runs in a Calendar Year: 1,761 (3rd)
Hundreds
- Most Hundreds in a Career: 12 (39th)
- Most Hundreds in a Calendar Year: 6 (5th)
Nineties
- Most Nineties in Career: 4 (35th)
- Dismissed for 99: 99 (1st)
Fifties
- Most Fifties in Career: 95 (8th)
- Fifties in Consecutive Innings: 5 (13th)
