There are hidden gems at positions 5 and 6 in this top 9 list of the fastest to 10,000 ODI runs
Although the amount of ODI cricket that is played has dipped in recent years, given the advent and growth of the T20 game, there was a time when games were plentiful.
It should come as no surprise that despite a much shorter history than Test cricket, the same number of players have reached 10,000 runs in ODIs.
Each format boasts 15 players who have reached the landmark milestone. The ODI list is packed with icons of the game, but who reached the milestone fastest? Let’s countdown the leaders.
9. Chris Gayle (West Indies) – 282 innings to 10,000 ODI runs
One of the most destructive batsmen in white-ball history, Chris Gayle combined sheer power with incredible longevity. While his strike rate and six-hitting ability often made headlines, Gayle’s journey to 10,000 ODI runs was a slow burn by modern standards, taking 282 innings.
That said, Gayle often opened the innings and took on new-ball bowlers with an aggressive approach, which meant consistency wasn’t always the priority. But when he got going, few were as entertaining, or as dangerous.
8. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 278 innings to 10,000 ODI runs
The elegant left-hander from Trinidad was renowned for his stroke play and style, making him a fan favourite around the globe. Brian Lara’s path to 10,000 ODI runs took 278 innings, a testament to his durability and brilliance across formats.
While Lara was more famous for his mammoth Test scores, including the highest individual score in Test history (400*), his ODI numbers were no less impressive.
He scored 19 centuries and 63 fifties in the format and was the linchpin of the West Indies’ batting order for over a decade.
7. MS Dhoni (India) – 273 innings to 10,000 ODI runs
MS Dhoni, the cool-headed captain who steered India to multiple ICC trophies, brought more than just tactical genius to the team, he was also a run machine in ODIs.
Often batting lower in the order, Dhoni didn’t always have the luxury of long innings, making his 10,000-run achievement even more remarkable.
It took him 273 innings to get there, and he did so with a career average well above 50, a rare feat for a middle-order finisher. His calmness under pressure and ability to finish games made him one of the most valuable players in the modern ODI era.
6. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 272 innings to 10,000 ODI runs
Perhaps the greatest all-rounder the game has ever seen, Jacques Kallis reached the 10,000-run mark in ODIs after 272 innings. A model of consistency, Kallis wasn’t known for flashy strokeplay but for his ability to build an innings with patience and poise.
His calm presence at the crease often anchored the South African innings, and his contributions with the ball only enhanced his stature. Kallis scored 17 ODI hundreds and 86 fifties, serving as the backbone of South Africa’s batting line-up for nearly two decades.
5. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 266 innings to 10,000 ODI runs
The former Australia captain was one of the most dominant players in ODI cricket history. Ponting combined aggression, technique, and a winning mentality to become one of the format’s true greats.
He reached 10,000 runs in 266 innings, showcasing his longevity and consistency. With 30 centuries and over 100 half-centuries, Ponting was the engine room of Australia’s golden generation.
His ability to lead from the front and adapt his game depending on the situation made him a nightmare for bowlers worldwide.
4. Sourav Ganguly (India) – 263 innings to 10,000 ODI runs
Nicknamed the ‘Prince of Kolkata,’ Ganguly was instrumental in changing the mindset of Indian cricket in the early 2000s. His aggressive captaincy and fearless batting helped redefine India’s approach, especially overseas.
Ganguly reached the 10,000-run mark in ODIs in 263 innings, a remarkable feat for an opener often facing the best new-ball attacks in the world.
With his graceful cover drives and ability to accelerate in the middle overs, Ganguly scored 22 ODI centuries and formed one of the most iconic partnerships in ODI history with Sachin Tendulkar.
3. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 259 innings to 10,000 ODI runs
The original ‘Little Master’ of the modern game, Tendulkar was the first man to cross the 10,000-run threshold in ODIs. It took him 259 innings to do so – at a time when such a feat seemed almost mythical.
His ability to adapt across eras, bowlers, and conditions cemented his legacy as perhaps the greatest ODI batsman of all time. Tendulkar went on to become the first to 18,000 runs and also scored the first-ever double century in ODI history.
His 49 centuries remain the benchmark, and even decades later, his impact on the ODI format remains unmatched.
2. Rohit Sharma (India) – 241 innings to 10,000 ODI runs
India’s former captain and Rohit Sharma was a modern-day run machine who reached the 10,000-run mark in just 241 innings. That’s remarkable for a player who started his career in the middle order and only became an opener several years into his ODI journey.
After moving up the order in 2013, Rohit became unstoppable. Known for his elegant timing and massive scores – including three double centuries – he’s redefined what is possible in a 50-over innings.
His career strike rate, conversion rate, and ability to build innings from the top make him one of the most dangerous batsmen in modern cricket.
1. Virat Kohli (India) – 205 innings to 10,000 ODI runs
The fastest man to 10,000 ODI runs is none other than Virat Kohli. It took him just 205 innings to get there, a massive 54 fewer than it took his idol, Sachin Tendulkar.
Kohli’s chase of 10,000 was marked by stunning consistency, world-class fitness, and an insatiable hunger for runs. Averaging over 50 throughout most of his career, Kohli became the master of chasing down targets, often referred to as the “chase master” for his reliability under pressure.
With 50 ODI centuries to his name, more than any other player, Kohli has set new standards for batting in the modern era.
