Top 10 Cricketers With Most Runs: International cricket has witnessed many legendary batsmen who dominated cricket with their consistency, skill, and hunger for runs. Running a score in any form and against any conditions is never an easy task, and it has been achieved only by a few cricketers in making history in this regard. This is the list of top international run-scorers, the result of several years of hard work and brilliance. Sachin Tendulkar remains at the top of this list, with Indian cricketer Virat Kohli reaching a gigantic milestone to become the second-highest international run-scorer by surpassing many legends.
Right from the classical Test masters to the explosive all-format openers, these players have motivated many with their performance. The numbers in their name are not mere statistics but tales of their perseverance, performance under pressure, and match-winning performance. This list will feature the top 10 run scorers of international cricket.
Top 10 Cricketers With Highest Runs In International Matches
With their spectacular performances and record-breaking runs, here is the list of the top 10 cricket players who dominated international cricket.
| Rank | Player | Span | Runs | Matches | HS | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SR Tendulkar (Ind) | 1989-2013 | 34,357 | 664 | 248* | 100 | 164 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli (Ind) | 2008-ongoing | 28,068 | 557 | 254* | 84 | 146 |
| 3 | KC Sangakkara (SL) | 2000-2015 | 28,016 | 594 | 319 | 63 | 153 |
| 4 | RT Ponting (Aus) | 1995-2012 | 27,483 | 560 | 257 | 71 | 146 |
| 5 | DPMD Jayawardene (SL) | 1997-2015 | 25,957 | 652 | 374 | 54 | 136 |
| 6 | JH Kallis (SA) | 1995-2014 | 25,534 | 519 | 224 | 62 | 149 |
| 7 | Rahul Dravid (Ind) | 1996-2012 | 24,208 | 509 | 270 | 48 | 146 |
| 8 | BC Lara (WI) | 1990-2007 | 22,358 | 430 | 400* | 53 | 111 |
| 9 | Joe Root (Eng) | 2012-ongoing | 22,160 | 381 | 262 | 60 | 114 |
| 10 | ST Jayasuriya (SL) | 1989-2011 | 21,032 | 586 | 340 | 42 | 103 |
Source: ESPN cric info
1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Sachin Tendulkar leads the list with a whopping 34,357 international runs scored in 664 matches. Tendulkar, who is generally referred to as 'God of Cricket,' has been a major player in international cricket for more than twenty years. Moreover, he has a total of 100 international centuries, and his records might be untouched for centuries.
2. Virat Kohli (India)
Virat Kohli is the second-highest scorer in international cricket with 28,068 runs from 2008 to now. His great fitness and regularity have also attracted much attention. He has been a great performer in every format and has saved his team in many matches due to his star performances.
3. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Kumar Sangakkara amassed a total of 28,016 runs in international cricket over his career. The elegant, left-handed stroke-maker, who captained Sri Lanka, was revered for his technical abilities, especially in the case of left-handers. His superlative batting performances, complemented by wicket-keeping skills, have placed him among the greatest cricketers.
4. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Ricky Ponting has scored 27,483 international runs and has been a part of the most dominant phase of Australian Cricket. He is known for his aggressive attitude and has won many international World Cups. He is one of the best big-match players and a fierce competitor in cricket history.
5. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
Mahela Jayawardene amassed 25,957 runs across all international matches. Famous for his elegant stroke play, he played one of the greatest World Cup innings in 2011. He was a dependable middle-order batter and a respected cricketing leader throughout the world.
6. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Jacques Kallis scored 25,534 international runs and is regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders ever. While his batting was peerless, he had some wonderful contributions to offer with the ball too. His consistency in whichever format defined South Africa's strengths for nearly two decades.
7. Rahul Dravid (India)
Rahul Dravid scored 24,208 runs in his international career. His solid defence earned him the nickname “The Wall”. At home in Tests or abroad on foreign tours, he was the backbone for India. He was one of the most respected cricketers because of his patience and technique in play, and was selfless when it came to contributing to the national team.
8. Brian Lara (West Indies)
Brian Lara scored 22,358 international runs and is famous for his record-breaking 400 in Tests. He was known to be an attacking player, and many times, Lara won matches single-handedly for the West Indies. He remains one of the most stylish and fearless batters in cricket history.
9. Joe Root (England)
Joe Root is an English batsman, and he is one of the leading scorers in the world, having accumulated a total of 22,160 runs as of now and is still the backbone of the English batting lineup. Joe Root is known for his cool and calm nature, and he was a crucial part of England’s successful cricket era.
10. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
Sanath Jayasuriya scored 21,032 international runs and transformed the art of opening in ODIs with his aggressive batting. These aggressive starts were the reason why power play overs were taken so seriously in international cricket. Jayasuriya was a complete game-changer for Sri Lanka with his aggressive gameplay and skill set.