Most ODI runs in cricket: Evolution from 8648 to 18426

For cricket lovers growing up in the 90s and possibly in the 80s, there were two major statistical landmarks that were etched on their minds. Sunil Gavaskar’s tally of 10,122 Test runs was one while West Indies legend Desmond Haynes’ ODI tally of 8648 runs was another major landmark. Allan Border broke that record in the early 90s and went on to score 11,174 Test runs. However, for breaking the ODI record, it took seven years since the retirement of Haynes to break the record. However, once the record was breached, it opened the floodgates by which the benchmark would be pushed to new heights.

Ever since Haynes’ tally, there have been 23 players who have gone past his landmark of 8,648. Out of that, 14 of them have gone on to score over 10,000 runs. Haynes’ West Indies compatriot Brian Lara himself overtook Haynes’ tally while in 2020, Chris Gayle also reached the glorious 10,000-run mark. At that point in time, 10,000 runs in ODIs seemed to be the new benchmark. But, for one person, he pushed the boundaries of impossible and created records which stand even today.

Tendulkar the behemoth

In 2001, Sachin Tendulkar became the first player to score 10,000 runs in ODIs when he scored a century against Australia in Indore. In his 24-year career, Tendulkar hit 18,426 runs at an average of 44 with 49 centuries and 96 fifties. That tally is the best for any player in history. Such was the enormity of Tendulkar that his closest rival is 4000 runs away. Currently, Virat Kohli is on course to break Tendulkar’s tally of centuries and also runs.

Tendulkar was the first to 11,000, 12,000, 13,000, 14,000, 15,000, 16,000, 17,000 and 18,000 ODI runs in his career. Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka and Ricky Ponting are second and third with 14,234 runs and 13,704 runs. The remarkable thing is that even the averages have been pushed up. In Tendulkar and Sangakkara’s time, an average of over 40 was considered legendary. But, in the modern era, Kohli has an average close to 60. Dhoni has ended his career with an average of over 50. When Haynes ended his career, his average was 41.

When it comes to ODI run evolution, a straight upward slope in the numbers has been achieved only due to the brilliance of Tendulkar. In more ways, Tendulkar now redefines what is the benchmark in an ODI.

Top run-getters in ODIs (More than 10,000 runs)