Most Runs in International Cricket in All Formats – Test, ODI & T20

by karan — July 18, 2025 in Cricket

Cricket is a sport that celebrates individual brilliance and team success in equal measure.

When we talk about the greatest batsmen in cricket history, we often look at those who have scored the most runs in international cricket in all formats.

These players have demonstrated exceptional consistency, mental fortitude, and adaptability across various playing conditions and formats.

The world of international cricket includes three main formats: Test cricket (the longest format), One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

Each format demands different skills from batsmen.

Test cricket requires patience and technique, ODIs need a balance between attack and defense, while T20Is demand aggressive stroke play and quick scoring.

Throughout cricket history, only a select few players have managed to excel across all three formats.

These legendary batsmen have not only entertained millions of fans worldwide but have also set benchmarks that future generations aspire to achieve.

Their records tell stories of dedication, hard work, and pure talent that have made them household names around the globe.

Most Runs in International Cricket in All Formats

From Sachin Tendulkar’s record-breaking career to Virat Kohli’s modern-day dominance, these players have written their names in cricket’s golden pages.

Let’s delve into the fascinating world of cricket’s highest run scorers and discover what makes them so exceptional.

Top Run-Scorers In International Cricket History

The list of cricket’s greatest run-scorers reads like a hall of fame of the sport.

These players have consistently performed at the highest level for many years, facing the world’s best bowlers and succeeding in all playing conditions.

At the top of this elite list stands Sachin Tendulkar, who is widely regarded as the greatest batsman of all time.

His record of 34,357 international runs seems almost impossible to break.

Following him are other cricket legends, such as Kumar Sangakkara, Virat Kohli, and Ricky Ponting, each bringing their unique style and approach to batting.

Here’s the complete breakdown of the top 10 highest run-scorers in international cricket:

Position	Player	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
1	Sachin Tendulkar	664	34,357	48.52	67.58
2	Kumar Sangakkara	594	28,016	46.77	66.56
3	Virat Kohli	550	27,599	52.27	79.18
4	Ricky Ponting	560	27,483	45.95	68.48
5	Mahela Jayawardene	652	25,957	39.15	64.73
6	Jacques Kallis	519	25,534	49.10	56.30
7	Rahul Dravid	509	24,208	45.41	51.98
8	Brian Lara	430	22,358	46.28	68.08
9	Sanath Jayasuriya	586	21,032	34.14	81.17
10	Joe Root	365	21,025	49.35	66.84

Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar is not just a cricketer; he’s a phenomenon that transcended the sport itself. Known as the “Master Blaster” and “God of Cricket”, Sachin’s career spanned an incredible 24 years from 1989 to 2013.

Career Statistics	Details
Matches Played	664
Career Span	1989-2013
Total Runs	34,357
Batting Average	48.52
Strike Rate	67.58
Highest Score	248*
Centuries	100
Half-centuries	164

What made Sachin special:

First player to score 100 international centuries
Played in six World Cups
Most runs in a single World Cup
Incredible longevity – played for 24 years
Consistent performance across all formats

Sachin wasn’t just about big numbers; he gave Indian fans hope and joy every time he walked out to bat. His ability to handle pressure situations and deliver when the team needed him most made him a true champion.

Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara combined artistic batting with remarkable consistency throughout his career. The Sri Lankan legend scored 28,016 international runs and was renowned for his elegant stroke play and astute cricketing acumen.

Career Statistics	Details
Matches Played	594
Career Span	2000-2015
Total Runs	28,016
Batting Average	46.77
Strike Rate	66.56
Highest Score	319
Centuries	63
Half-centuries	153

Sangakkara’s key achievements:

Test average of over 57
Excellent wicket-keeper batsman
Four consecutive centuries in the World Cup 2015
Outstanding ODI record as a finisher
Calm leadership during pressure situations

Whether he was keeping wickets or leading Sri Lanka, Sangakkara always brought class and composure to the game. His ability to read match situations and play accordingly made him one of the smartest cricketers ever.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli represents the modern era of aggressive, fitness-focused cricket. Currently active and still adding to his tally, Kohli has scored 27,599 international runs and is considered the best chaser in limited-overs cricket.

Career Statistics	Details
Matches Played	550
Career Span	2008-2025
Total Runs	27,599
Batting Average	52.27
Strike Rate	79.18
Highest Score	254*
Centuries	82
Half-centuries	143

What makes Kohli special:

50 ODI centuries – more than Sachin
Excellent chasing record in ODIs
Outstanding fitness levels
Aggressive captaincy style
Consistent performance across all formats

Kohli’s intensity and passion on the field are unmatched. His ability to chase down targets and perform under pressure has made him a fan favorite worldwide.

Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting was the face of Australian cricket during their most dominant period. The aggressive right-hander scored 27,483 international runs and led Australia to two World Cup victories.

Career Statistics	Details
Matches Played	560
Career Span	1995-2012
Total Runs	27,483
Batting Average	45.95
Strike Rate	68.48
Highest Score	257
Centuries	71
Half-centuries	146

Ponting’s achievements:

Three-time World Cup winner (1999, 2003, 2007)
Memorable 140* in the 2003 World Cup final
Outstanding captain with a great success rate
Excellent fielder with sharp reflexes
An aggressive batting style that intimidated bowlers

Ponting didn’t just score runs; he set the tone for ruthless consistency and competitive spirit that defined Australian cricket for over a decade.

Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene made batting look effortless and graceful. The Sri Lankan maestro scored 25,957 international runs with his smooth timing and calm presence at the crease.

Career Statistics	Details
Matches Played	652
Career Span	1997-2015
Total Runs	25,957
Batting Average	39.15
Strike Rate	64.73
Highest Score	374
Centuries	54
Half-centuries	136

Jayawardene’s highlights:

Highest individual score of 374 in Tests
Excellent World Cup record
Smart cricket brain and tactical awareness
Consistent performer in all conditions
Graceful stroke play is admired by fans

Behind his composed batting style was a brilliant cricket mind that helped Sri Lanka reach several ICC finals.

Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis was cricket’s ultimate all-rounder. With 25,534 runs and over 550 wickets, he’s considered the greatest all-rounder the game has ever seen.

Career Statistics	Details
Matches Played	519
Career Span	1995-2014
Total Runs	25,534
Batting Average	49.10
Strike Rate	56.30
Highest Score	224
Centuries	62
Half-centuries	149

What made Kallis special:

Test average of over 55
Over 550 international wickets
Excellent slip fielder
Reliable performer in any situation
Calm under pressure

Kallis was South Africa’s go-to player in any format and any condition. His consistency and reliability made him an invaluable team member.

Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid, known as “The Wall”, epitomized discipline and patience in cricket. He scored 24,208 international runs through hard work, strong technique, and mental toughness.

Career Statistics	Details
Matches Played	509
Career Span	1996-2012
Total Runs	24,208
Batting Average	45.41
Strike Rate	51.98
Highest Score	270
Centuries	48
Half-centuries	146

Dravid’s key qualities:

Excellent technique against all bowling types
Outstanding performance in difficult conditions
Reliable wicket-keeper when needed
Great temperament under pressure
Perfect team player

India could always count on Dravid to stay strong and weather difficult periods in matches.

Brian Lara

Brian Lara didn’t just play cricket; he performed it like art. The West Indian genius scored 22,358 international runs, including the highest individual Test score of 400 not out.

Career Statistics	Details
Matches Played	430
Career Span	1990-2007
Total Runs	22,358
Batting Average	46.28
Strike Rate	68.08
Highest Score	400*
Centuries	53
Half-centuries	111

Lara’s achievements:

Highest individual Test score (400*)
Multiple world record innings
Stylish stroke play
Entertaining batting style
Single-handedly carried the West Indies batting

For the West Indies, Lara was more than a captain and batsman; he was the beacon of hope during challenging times.

Sanath Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya revolutionized opening batting in ODI cricket. With 21,032 international runs and a strike rate over 90 in ODIs, he changed the game forever.

Career Statistics	Details
Matches Played	586
Career Span	1989-2011
Total Runs	21,032
Batting Average	34.14
Strike Rate	81.17
Highest Score	340
Centuries	42
Half-centuries	103

Jayasuriya’s impact:

Aggressive opening strategy
Key player in the 1996 World Cup victory
Useful left-arm spin bowling
Fearless approach to fast bowling
Complete limited-overs legend

His aggressive starts gave Sri Lanka a new identity and inspired many future generations of opening batsmen.

Joe Root

Joe Root is the backbone of modern England batting. With 21,025 international runs, he represents the classical technique in today’s aggressive cricket world.

Career Statistics	Details
Matches Played	365
Career Span	2012-2025
Total Runs	21,025
Batting Average	49.35
Strike Rate	66.84
Highest Score	262
Centuries	54
Half-centuries	112

Root’s qualities:

Over 30 Test centuries
Excellent technique against spin and pace
Adaptable to different conditions
Calm leadership style
Consistent performer across formats

Root continues to adapt and deliver, proving that classical technique still thrives in modern cricket.

When we analyze the most runs in international cricket in all formats, these ten players stand out as the absolute best. Their records show not just individual brilliance but also their contribution to team success over many years.

Batters With the Most Runs Across All Formats

Understanding cricket’s greatest run-scorers requires looking at their performance in each format separately.

Different formats demand different skills, and only the truly great players have managed to excel in all three.

These exceptional batsmen have shown remarkable versatility by adapting their game to suit the demands of Test cricket’s patience, ODI’s balance, and T20’s aggression.

Their ability to switch between formats and maintain high standards shows their complete mastery over the sport.

ODIs

One Day International cricket is often considered the most balanced format, requiring players to balance attack and defense. The 50-over format gives batsmen time to build an innings while also demanding quick scoring when needed.

Position	Player	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
1	Sachin Tendulkar	463	18,426	44.83	86.23
2	Kumar Sangakkara	404	14,234	41.98	78.86
3	Virat Kohli	302	14,181	58.18	93.54
4	Ricky Ponting	375	13,704	42.03	80.39
5	Sanath Jayasuriya	445	13,430	32.36	91.20

Key insights about ODI run-scorers:

Sachin Tendulkar dominates with over 18,000 runs
Virat Kohli has the highest average (58.18)
Sanath Jayasuriya had the most aggressive approach
Kumar Sangakkara showed great consistency
These players revolutionized ODI batting with their approaches

Test

Test cricket is considered the ultimate test of a batsman’s skill, patience, and mental strength. The longest format requires players to concentrate for hours and adapt to changing conditions.

Position	Player	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
1	Sachin Tendulkar	200	15,921	53.78	54.08
2	Ricky Ponting	168	13,378	51.85	58.72
3	Jacques Kallis	166	13,289	55.37	45.97
4	Rahul Dravid	164	13,288	52.31	42.51
5	Joe Root	153	13,006	50.51	55.73

Important facts about Test cricket:

Sachin Tendulkar leads with almost 16,000 runs
Jacques Kallis has the highest average (55.37)
Rahul Dravid showed incredible patience (lowest strike rate)
Joe Root is still actively adding to his tally
These players mastered the art of long-form cricket

T20Is

Twenty20 International cricket is the newest and most exciting format. It demands aggressive batting, quick scoring, and the ability to hit boundaries regularly.

Position	Player	Matches	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
1	Rohit Sharma	159	4,231	31.24	140.38
2	Babar Azam	128	4,223	41.41	128.40
3	Virat Kohli	125	4,188	52.73	137.04
4	Jos Buttler	137	3,700	34.91	144.24
5	Paul Stirling	150	3,656	27.03	135.55

T20I cricket highlights:

Rohit Sharma leads with over 4,200 runs
Virat Kohli has the best average (52.73)
Jos Buttler has the highest strike rate (144.24)
Babar Azam shows excellent consistency
This format rewards aggressive and innovative batting

The analysis of most runs in international cricket in all formats shows that few players have managed to excel equally in all three formats. This versatility is what separates the truly great from the merely very good.

FAQs:

Q: Who has scored the most runs in international cricket in all formats?

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record with 34,357 international runs across all formats. His record includes 15,921 Test runs, 18,426 ODI runs, and 10 T20I runs. This incredible achievement came over a 24-year career from 1989 to 2013.

Q: Which active player is closest to breaking Sachin’s record?

Virat Kohli is the closest active player with 27,599 international runs. He needs about 6,758 more runs to break Sachin’s record. Given his current form and fitness levels, he has a realistic chance of achieving this milestone.

Q: Who has the highest batting average among the top run-scorers?

Virat Kohli currently has the highest batting average (52.27) among players with over 20,000 international runs. His consistency across formats and ability to convert starts into big scores contributes to this impressive average.

Q: Which player scored runs fastest among the top scorers?

Sanath Jayasuriya had the highest overall strike rate (81.17) among top run-scorers. His aggressive approach, especially in ODI cricket, revolutionized how opening batsmen approached the game in the 1990s.

Q: How many players have scored over 25,000 international runs?

Only six players have managed to score over 25,000 international runs: Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, Virat Kohli, Ricky Ponting, Mahela Jayawardene, and Jacques Kallis. This shows how difficult it is to maintain high standards for such a long period.

Q: Which format contributes most to the highest run tallies?

ODI cricket typically contributes the most runs to a player’s international tally. This is because ODIs are played more frequently than Tests and T20Is, and players score more runs per match compared to T20Is.

Q: Can any current player reach 30,000 international runs?

Virat Kohli has the best chance among current players to reach 30,000 international runs. At his current rate and fitness levels, he could achieve this milestone in the next 2-3 years.

Q: Who has played the most international matches?

Mahela Jayawardene played the most international matches (652) among the top run-scorers. His longevity and consistent selection across all formats helped him achieve this record.

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Conclusion:

The journey through cricket’s greatest run-scorers reveals the incredible talent, dedication, and passion that define international cricket.

These legendary players have not only entertained millions of fans but have also set standards that inspire future generations.

Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 34,357 runs stands as a testament to his extraordinary career and unmatched consistency.

However, with Virat Kohli still actively playing and closing the gap, we might witness history being rewritten in the coming years.

These run-scoring giants have shown us that success in cricket requires more than just natural talent.

It demands mental toughness, physical fitness, technical excellence, and the ability to adapt to different conditions and formats.

Their diverse playing styles – from Sachin’s elegance to Jayasuriya’s aggression, from Dravid’s patience to Kohli’s intensity – prove that there are many paths to greatness.

The most runs in international cricket in all formats will continue to be a benchmark for measuring batting excellence.

As new talents emerge and cricket evolves, these records will inspire and challenge future generations to push the boundaries of what’s possible in this beautiful sport.

Whether you’re a cricket fan, a young player, or someone new to the sport, these statistics and stories remind us why cricket is called the gentleman’s game and why these batting legends will be remembered forever in the history of cricket.

Most Runs in International Cricket in All Formats – Test, ODI & T20

Most Runs in International Cricket in All Formats