ODI cricket has yielded some of the best run scorers in the history of the game. It takes a batter to be able to maintain his form consistently for many ODIs in his career to have a record of scoring a high number of runs. Some batters have played in many countries in their career in various situations. The record of the most runs in ODI cricket history goes to the India’s legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who recorded 18,426 runs from 463 ODIs. It is still the only record to reach 18,000 ODI runs in history.
Sachin Tendulkar has maintained the record of most runs in ODI cricket history while Virat Kohli is in second place with 14,941 runs.
Most Runs in ODI Cricket
The Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar holds the record of the most runs scored in men’s ODIs, having made 18,426 runs. Tendulkar played from 1989 until 2012 and recorded 49 hundreds, 96 fifties and a unique 200 not out that is the only first men’s ODI double-century. Longevity and consistency are among the key aspects of the record. He has appeared in 463 ODIs and faced many generations of the bowling attacks in international cricket.
Virat Kohli is in second position with 14,941 runs. The next positions are taken by Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting and Sanath Jayasuriya in the most runs in ODI history records.
Top 10 Most Runs in ODI History
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 463 | 18,426 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | India | 305 | 14,941 |
| 3 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 404 | 14,234 |
| 4 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 375 | 13,704 |
| 5 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 445 | 13,430 |
| 6 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 448 | 12,650 |
| 7 | Rohit Sharma | India | 282 | 11,895 |
| 8 | Inzamam-ul-Haq | Pakistan | 378 | 11,739 |
| 9 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 328 | 11,579 |
| 10 | Sourav Ganguly | India | 311 | 11,363 |
These are men’s ODI career figures through September 2026.
Sachin Tendulkar: Most Runs in ODI Cricket
Tendulkar’s record of 18,426 runs is still the best run scoring record in men’s ODI history. He made his first century in 1994 and ended up scoring 49 centuries in total. Besides, he made a unique 200 not out in an ODI, being the first batter to achieve this goal, scoring 200* against South Africa in Gwalior in 2010.
More than twenty years of his career and six editions of World Cups have contributed to the formation of such an impressive record.
| Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI record | Figure |
|---|---|
| Matches | 463 |
| Runs | 18,426 |
| Highest score | 200* |
| Centuries | 49 |
| Fifties | 96 |
| World Cup runs | 2,278 |
Tendulkar is also the leading run-scorer in men’s Cricket World Cup history, with 2,278 runs.
Virat Kohli and the Race for Second Place
Virat Kohli is considered the second-highest run scorer in men’s ODI history. As of September 2026, he scored 14,941 runs in 305 ODIs surpassing Sri Lanka’s batsman Kumar Sangakkara. His career includes more than 50 centuries, so he is one of the highest century makers in ODI history.
Consistency of Kohli is especially evident in chasing situations. His ability to construct an innings, make partnerships and accelerate near the end makes him the best chaser in ODIs. In 2023 World Cup Kohli scored 765 runs, becoming the first batter to have a maximum score in a single World Cup edition.
Most Runs in ODI World Cup History
The record of the most runs in ODI World Cup history belongs to Sachin Tendulkar. He scored 2,278 runs in 45 World Cup ODIs in six editions from 1992 to 2011. His record includes six centuries and 15 fifties.
The position of the second-highest run scorer in ODI World Cup is held by Virat Kohli, who surpassed Ricky Ponting during 2023 World Cup final.
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 45 | 2,278 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | India | 37 | 1,795 |
| 3 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 46 | 1,743 |
| 4 | Rohit Sharma | India | 28 | 1,575 |
| 5 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 37 | 1,532 |
| 6 | David Warner | Australia | 29 | 1,527 |
| 7 | Shakib Al Hasan | Bangladesh | 36 | 1,332 |
| 8 | Brian Lara | West Indies | 34 | 1,225 |
| 9 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | 23 | 1,207 |
| 10 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 35 | 1,186 |
The next men’s ODI World Cup will take place in 2027, hence the aforementioned career World Cup statistics remain the same after the 2023 ODI World Cup until September 2026.
Most Runs in a Single ODI World Cup
There is a distinction between career World Cup runs and runs in one edition. Kohli is the player with the most runs in a single men’s ODI World Cup, having scored 765 runs in the 2023 World Cup. He broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most runs in a single ODI World Cup of 673 runs, which he made in the 2003 World Cup.
| Rank | Player | Runs | World Cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virat Kohli | 765 | 2023 |
| 2 | Sachin Tendulkar | 673 | 2003 |
| 3 | Matthew Hayden | 659 | 2007 |
| 4 | Rohit Sharma | 648 | 2019 |
| 5 | David Warner | 647 | 2019 |
Kohli’s 765-run campaign included three centuries and six fifties, and he finished the tournament with an average of 95.62.
Most Runs in ODI 2025
The most runs in ODI 2025 were scored by Joe Root of England, who had 808 runs from 15 innings during the season. Root has an average of 57.71 and he had scored 3 centuries and 4 fifties. His highest score was 166 not out.
Second was Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand with 761 runs, followed by George Munsey of Scotland with an impressive 735-run season which included 191, the highest individual ODI score of 2025.
Top 10 ODI Run-Scorers in 2025
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Runs | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joe Root | England | 15 | 808 | 166* |
| 2 | Daryl Mitchell | New Zealand | 17 | 761 | 119 |
| 3 | George Munsey | Scotland | 11 | 735 | 191 |
| 4 | Matthew Breetzke | South Africa | 12 | 706 | 150 |
| 5 | Shai Hope | West Indies | 15 | 15 | 670 |
| 6 | Salman Agha | Pakistan | 16 | 667 | 134 |
| 7 | Milind Kumar | USA | 12 | 652 | 123* |
| 8 | Virat Kohli | India | 13 | 651 | 135 |
| 9 | Rohit Sharma | India | 14 | 650 | 121* |
| 10 | Rachin Ravindra | New Zealand | 14 | 604 | 112 |
Correction: Shai Hope scored 670 runs in 15 matches, not 15 runs as originally presented. The above table is to be read as 670 for his 2025 ODI score. Munsey, Milind Kumar, Kohli and Rohit figures are independently verifiable via player and year-end stats.
Virat Kohli’s ODI Run-Scoring Record
It must be noted that it was particularly notable that Kohli managed to come near the top of the all-time ODI run scorer list in much fewer matches as compared to Tendulkar. Kohli’s ODI cricket batting has revolved around consistency and not just playing many matches. Kohli has time and again managed to turn the initial starts into hundreds and has been particularly effective when chasing targets.
In 2023 World Cup, Kohli managed to become the second highest run scorer in ODI World Cups and later scored 765 runs in that World Cup. In the process he also broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most ODI centuries in one World Cup.
Rohit Sharma’s Place Among the Leading ODI Run-Scorers
Rohit Sharma is placed 7th in the all-time ODI run scorer list with 11,895 runs. Throughout his ODI cricket career, Rohit has made 3 ODI double centuries, including the world record of 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014. Rohit has also been a consistent performer in ODI World Cups, as he scored 1,575 runs in five ODI World Cups.
Rohit’s 2019 World Cup performance was particularly spectacular as he scored 648 runs, which include a record 5 centuries in a single men’s World Cup edition.
India in the Most Runs in ODI List
India have an unusual representation among all-time leading ODI run scorers, as Tendulkar is at the top of the global list, Kohli is the second, Rohit Sharma 7th, and Sourav Ganguly also within the top 10.
| Indian player | ODI runs | All-time position |
|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 18,426 | 1 |
| Virat Kohli | 14,941 | 2 |
| Rohit Sharma | 11,895 | 7 |
| Sourav Ganguly | 11,363 | 10 |
The figures are career ODI totals through September 2026.
Most Runs in ODI Cricket by a Single Player in One Year
There is a different metric of measuring ODI batting. Joe Root managed to accumulate 808 runs becoming the highest scorer in ODI cricket of 2025. Moreover, George Munsey’s 735 was also impressive since he played 11 ODI games, averaging 73.50.
The record of 191 runs by George Munsey against the Netherlands became not only his best but also the highest individual ODI score of 2025 and the highest ODI score by an Associate batter.
The distinction between the career record and annual records lies in the fact that it is possible for a batter to be the best in a specific year without being at least close to the top of the career chart.
Why Is the ODI Run Record So Difficult to Break?
It is necessary to combine not only the longevity and consistency in ODI cricket. It is essential to stay healthy enough to play for a long time and be able to make part of the national team to compete under different circumstances. Unlike T20 cricket where the innings is rather short, ODI cricket also involves adapting during the different stages of a 50-over game.
The biggest career totals therefore usually belong to players who combine:
- Long international careers
- A high number of matches
- Regular centuries and fifties
- Strong performance in major tournaments
- The ability to adapt to different conditions
- Consistency over multiple generations of opponents
Tendulkar’s 18,426 is a product of all of these factors.
Most Runs in ODI Cricket: Key Records
| Record | Player | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Most ODI runs | Sachin Tendulkar | 18,426 |
| Second-most ODI runs | Virat Kohli | 14,941 |
| Most ODI World Cup runs | Sachin Tendulkar | 2,278 |
| Most ODI World Cup runs by India after Tendulkar | Virat Kohli | 1,795 |
| Most runs in one ODI World Cup | Virat Kohli | 765 |
| Most ODI runs in 2025 | Joe Root | 808 |
| Most ODI runs for India | Sachin Tendulkar | 18,426 |
| Highest 2025 ODI score | George Munsey | 191 |
FAQs
Who has the most runs in ODI history?
Sachin Tendulkar is the leading run-scorer in ODI history with 18,426 runs. Virat Kohli is second with 14,941 runs as of September 2026.
Who has scored the most runs in ODI World Cup history?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record with 2,278 World Cup runs from 45 matches across six editions.
Who is second in most runs in ODI World Cup history?
Virat Kohli is second with 1,795 runs from 37 World Cup matches. He overtook Ricky Ponting during the 2023 final.
Who scored the most runs in ODI in 2025?
Joe Root was the leading ODI run-scorer in 2025, finishing with 808 runs.
Who scored the most ODI runs for India in 2025?
Virat Kohli was India’s leading ODI run-scorer in 2025 with 651 runs, narrowly ahead of Rohit Sharma’s 650.
How many ODI runs does Virat Kohli have?
Virat Kohli has 14,941 ODI runs as of September 2026.
How many ODI runs does Rohit Sharma have?
Rohit Sharma has 11,895 ODI runs in 282 matches.
Who has scored the most runs in a single ODI World Cup?
Virat Kohli holds the record for the most runs in one men’s ODI World Cup, scoring 765 in 2023.
Conclusion
The most runs in ODI cricket are 18,426 of Sachin Tendulkar, the highest-ever scorer in ODI history having appeared in 463 games. His record is the yardstick of the career runs in men’s ODI cricket. The second place belongs to Virat Kohli with 14,941 runs, and then follow Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting and Sanath Jayasuriya. In ODI World Cup history, Tendulkar has 2,278 runs, while Kohli has taken the second place with 1,795. The most runs in ODI World Cup single edition belongs to Virat Kohli with 765 in 2023.
In ODI cricket of 2025, the first place was won by Joe Root from England with 808 runs, and then India’s Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were very close with 651 and 650 respectively. Overall, ODI run records reveal the importance of longevity and consistency. Tendulkar’s 18,426 still stands as the number for every future generation of ODI batsmen.
Also, Read About: Most Runs in Test Cricket | Highest Score in Test Cricket | Fastest Fifty in T20