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10 Players With Most Runs In International Cricket History: Sachin Tendulkar On Top, Virat Kohli At 2nd Spot; Rahul Dravid, Joe Root At...; Check Full List
The all-time leading run-scorers in international cricket (across Test, ODI, and T20I formats combined) represent the pinnacle of batting excellence, endurance, and consistency in the sport. The iconic list saw a historic shift on Sunday, January 11, when Virat Kohli surpassed Kumar Sangakkara to claim the No. 2 spot during India's ODI series against New Zealand.
Notably, only a handful of players have possessed the longevity and skill to amass tens of thousands of runs across all formats in the long and storied history of cricket.
Here are the top 10 players with the most runs in international cricket history:
1. Sachin Tendulkar (India) - 34,357 Runs
Sachin Tendulkar, who is known as the "Master Blaster" remains the undisputed king. Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs in international cricket. His longevity - spanning 24 years - and his milestone of 100 international centuries make him the ultimate benchmark for batting excellence. (Pic credit: ICC)
2. Virat Kohli (India) - 28,068 Runs
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Virat Kohli, the modern day great, officially moved into the second spot during the 1st ODI vs New Zealand on Sunday, January 12 in Vadodara, overtaking Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara in the list of most runs in international cricket. (Pic credit: BCCI)
3. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) - 28,016 Runs
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Kumar Sangakkara, the elegant left-handed batter was a pillar for Sri Lanka across 594 matches. Known for his grace and reliability, Sangakkara held the No. 2 spot for years until Virat Kohli's recent surge. (Pic credit: ICC)
4. Ricky Ponting (Australia) - 27,483 Runs
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Ricky Ponting, the aggressive batter and Australian captain led his team to multiple World Cup triumphs while piling up runs at a prolific rate across formats in international cricket. His pull shot was legendary, and he remains Australia’s highest run-scorer and most successful captain in history. (Pic credit: ICC)
5. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) - 25,957 Runs
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A master of touch and placement, Mahela Jayawardene’s batting was like poetry. He was a mainstay in all formats for Sri Lanka and is remembered for his big-game temperament, including a century in the 2011 World Cup final. (Pic credit: ICC)
6. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) - 25,534 Runs
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Jacques Kallis is arguably the greatest all-rounder to ever play the game. To score more than 25,000 runs while also taking 577 international wickets is a feat that may never be replicated. He provided the rock-solid foundation for South Africa for nearly two decades. (Pic credit: ICC)
7. Rahul Dravid (India) - 24,208 Runs
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Rightly nicknamed "The Wall," Rahul Dravid's technique and patience were unmatched. While often overshadowed by Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid was the man India looked to in crisis. He faced more balls in Test cricket than any other batter in history. (Pic credit: ICC)
8. Brian Lara (West Indies) - 22,358 Runs
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Brian Lara, the "Prince of Port of Spain" was a genius with the bat. Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in Test history (400 not out). His high backlift and flamboyant stroke play made him one of the most exciting players to watch. (Pic credit: ICC)
9. Joe Root (England) - 22,166 Runs
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The only other active player on this list besides Kohli, Joe Root has been England's most consistent run-machine. In recent years, his form has seen him surge up the rankings, and Root is currently chasing down the all-time Test run records. (Pic credit: ICC)
10. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 21,032 Runs
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Sanath Jayasuriya revolutionised the way opening batters approached the first 15 overs of an ODI. His aggressive, power-hitting style paved the way for modern-day white-ball cricket, and his longevity allowed him to remain a force for a long time. (Pic credit: ICC)
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