by Cricket fans love debating greatness. Who’s the best batter? Who dominated the most? Who changed the game?
Numbers settle these debates. Statistics don’t lie. They show who performed consistently across years, formats, and conditions.
The most runs in international cricket in all formats represent the ultimate achievement. It’s not about one great season. It’s about a decade or two of excellence.
Think about what it takes. Playing through injuries. Handling massive pressure. Facing the world’s best bowlers. Adapting to different conditions worldwide.
Some batters excel in Tests. Others dominate ODIs. A rare few conquer everything.
International cricket includes three formats now—Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. Each demands different skills. Test cricket needs patience. ODIs require balance. T20s demand aggression.
Mastering all three separates legends from good players.
This comprehensive guide explores cricket’s greatest run-scorers. You’ll discover who leads the charts. How did they reach these heights? What made them special?
We’ll break down their careers simply. Show their milestones clearly. Compare different eras fairly.
Whether you’re a hardcore cricket fan or just curious about records, everything you need is here.
Let’s explore the numbers, stories, and legends behind cricket’s most impressive batting achievements.
Most Runs In International Cricket In All Formats
Top 10 Run-Scorers In International Cricket History
Here’s the complete list of batters who scored the most runs in international cricket in all formats:
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Runs | 100s | 50s | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 664 | 34,357 | 100 | 164 | 48.52 |
| 2 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 594 | 28,016 | 63 | 153 | 46.77 |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | India | 554 | 27,808 | 83 | 144 | 52.36 |
| 4 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 560 | 27,483 | 71 | 146 | 45.95 |
| 5 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 652 | 25,957 | 54 | 136 | 39.15 |
| 6 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 519 | 25,534 | 62 | 149 | 49.10 |
| 7 | Rahul Dravid | India | 509 | 24,208 | 48 | 146 | 45.41 |
| 8 | Brian Lara | West Indies | 430 | 22,358 | 53 | 111 | 46.28 |
| 9 | Joe Root | England | 377 | 21,774 | 58 | 114 | 49.26 |
| 10 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 586 | 21,032 | 42 | 103 | 34.14 |
Top 10 Players Who Scored the Most Runs In International Cricket In All Formats
1. Sachin Tendulkar – The Master Blaster
Nobody comes close to Sachin’s record. Playing from 1989 to 2013, he scored everywhere against everyone.
Key Stats:
- Total Runs: 34,357
- Centuries: 100 (first player ever to reach this mark)
- Highest Score: 248*
- Active Years: 1989-2013
Tendulkar wasn’t just about numbers. He carried India’s batting hopes for over two decades. Bowlers feared him. Fans worshipped him.
His World Cup performances remain legendary. He scored heavily in 1996, 2003, and finally lifted the trophy in 2011.
2. Kumar Sangakkara – Sri Lanka’s Elegant Genius
Sangakkara combined grace with power. He scored 28,016 runs while often keeping wickets too.
Key Stats:
- Test Average: 57.40
- Double Centuries: 11
- World Cup Hundreds: 5
His technique was textbook perfect. Left-handed elegance met ruthless efficiency. Sri Lanka could always depend on him during tough situations.
3. Virat Kohli – The Modern Chase Master
Kohli continues building his legacy. With 27,808 runs already, he’s still playing and adding more.
Key Stats:
- ODI Centuries: 50
- Average Across Formats: 52.36
- Successful Chases: 28 ODI hundreds while chasing
His fitness standards changed Indian cricket. Kohli turned run-chases into personal missions. When India needed runs, he delivered.
4. Ricky Ponting – Australia’s Winning Machine
Ponting led Australia’s golden era. His 27,483 runs came with three World Cup trophies.
Key Stats:
- World Cup Finals: 140* in 2003, 26 in 2007
- Test Captaincy: 48 wins
- Strike Rate: 80+ in ODIs
He pulled and cut bowlers with brutal force. Ponting batted like winning was his birthright.
5. Mahela Jayawardene – Smooth Operator
Jayawardene made batting look easy. His 25,957 runs flowed with minimal fuss.
Key Stats:
- Highest Test Score: 374
- World Cup Finals: 2007, 2011
- Partnership Records: Multiple 400+ partnerships
Sri Lanka trusted him in every format. His calm head guided younger players through pressure situations.
6. Jacques Kallis – The Complete Cricketer
Kallis wasn’t just a batter. He took 550+ wickets too. But his 25,534 runs deserve separate praise.
Key Stats:
- Test Average: 55.37
- Catches: 338 (most by a non-wicketkeeper)
- All-Round Value: Irreplaceable
South Africa rarely needed another batter when Kallis was around. He anchored innings better than anyone.
7. Rahul Dravid – The Wall
Dravid earned his nickname through sheer determination. His 24,208 runs came through patience and perfect defense.
Key Stats:
- Balls Faced: 31,258 in Tests
- Double Centuries: 5
- Innings Played: 590+
Bowlers got tired of bowling to him. Dravid never gave his wicket away cheaply.
8. Brian Lara – Caribbean Genius
Lara holds the highest Test score ever – 400 not out. His 22,358 international runs sparkled with style.
Key Stats:
- Highest Test Score: 400*
- Triple Centuries: 2
- Average: 52.88 in Tests
West Indies cricket revolved around him. When Lara batted, stadiums filled up.
9. Joe Root – England’s Modern Great
Root quietly climbed to 21,774 runs. His consistency deserves more recognition.
Key Stats:
- Test Centuries: 35+
- Away Averages: 50+ in Asia
- Current Form: Still scoring heavily
England’s batting depends on his stability. Root adapts to any condition.
10. Sanath Jayasuriya – Powerplay Revolutionary
Jayasuriya changed ODI cricket. His aggressive start in the 1990s created a new template.
Key Stats:
- ODI Strike Rate: 91.20
- Fastest 13,000 ODI Runs
- 1996 World Cup: Match-winner
He attacked from ball one. Bowlers had nowhere to hide.
Most Runs In ODI International Cricket
ODI cricket produces the highest run tallies because teams play more 50-over matches.
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Runs | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 463 | 18,426 | 44.83 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | India | 306 | 14,390 | 58.18 |
| 3 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 404 | 14,234 | 41.98 |
| 4 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 375 | 13,704 | 42.03 |
| 5 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 445 | 13,430 | 32.36 |
Kohli’s ODI average of 58+ puts him ahead of everyone in modern cricket.
Most Runs In T20 International Cricket
T20 cricket is newer, so numbers are smaller. But the format keeps growing.
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Runs | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Babar Azam | Pakistan | 136 | 4,429 | 129.45 |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | India | 159 | 4,231 | 140.35 |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | India | 125 | 4,188 | 137.04 |
| 4 | Jos Buttler | England | 144 | 3,869 | 145.18 |
| 5 | Paul Stirling | Ireland | 155 | 3,760 | 135.92 |
Rohit Sharma’s T20 strike rate shows his explosive power in short formats.
Most Runs In International Cricket In All Formats Women
Women’s cricket produces incredible talent too. Here are the top run-scorers:
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Runs | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mithali Raj | India | 333 | 10,868 | 8 |
| 2 | Charlotte Edwards | England | 309 | 10,273 | 13 |
| 3 | Suzie Bates | New Zealand | 347 | 9,922 | 12 |
| 4 | Meg Lanning | Australia | 241 | 8,352 | 17 |
| 5 | Stafanie Taylor | West Indies | 285 | 8,134 | 9 |
Mithali Raj dominated women’s cricket for nearly 23 years. Her consistency inspired millions.
Most Runs In International Cricket In All Formats For India
India produces cricket legends regularly. Here’s their top five:
| Rank | Player | Matches | Runs | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | 664 | 34,357 | 100 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | 554 | 27,808 | 83 |
| 3 | Rahul Dravid | 509 | 24,208 | 48 |
| 4 | Sourav Ganguly | 424 | 18,575 | 38 |
| 5 | Rohit Sharma | 483 | 18,225 | 48 |
Three of the world’s top ten batters are Indian. That shows India’s batting dominance.
Most Runs In International Cricket In All Formats For Pakistan
Pakistan’s batting lineup produced some world-class talents:
| Rank | Player | Matches | Runs | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Younis Khan | 399 | 17,790 | 39 |
| 2 | Inzamam-ul-Haq | 485 | 17,055 | 35 |
| 3 | Babar Azam | 327 | 13,756 | 35 |
| 4 | Mohammad Yousuf | 366 | 12,720 | 29 |
| 5 | Javed Miandad | 356 | 12,705 | 28 |
Babar Azam continues climbing this list. He’s only 30 and plays all formats regularly.
Most Runs In International Cricket In All Formats Top 5
Quick recap of the absolute legends:
- Sachin Tendulkar – 34,357 runs (India)
- Kumar Sangakkara – 28,016 runs (Sri Lanka)
- Virat Kohli – 27,808 runs (India)
- Ricky Ponting – 27,483 runs (Australia)
- Mahela Jayawardene – 25,957 runs (Sri Lanka)
These five players changed cricket forever. Their records inspire every young cricketer today.
FAQs About Most Runs In International Cricket
- Q: Who has scored the most runs in international cricket in all formats?
Sachin Tendulkar with 34,357 runs across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
- Q: Can Virat Kohli break Sachin’s record?
Yes, if he plays for 3-4 more years and maintains his current form.
- Q: Who leads T20 international run-scoring?
Babar Azam from Pakistan with 4,429 T20I runs.
- Q: Which woman cricketer scored the most international runs?
Mithali Raj from India with 10,868 runs across formats.
- Q: How many centuries did Sachin Tendulkar score?
He scored 100 international centuries – 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs.
Final Summary:
The race for most runs in international cricket in all formats showcases cricket’s greatest batters.
From Tendulkar’s 34,357 runs to Root’s ongoing journey, these players defined excellence.
Consistency matters more than occasional brilliance. These legends proved that by scoring across decades, formats, and conditions.
Virat Kohli still plays and keeps adding runs. He might eventually challenge Tendulkar’s record. But for now, the Master Blaster remains unbeaten.
Cricket fans will always debate who’s the best. But numbers don’t lie. The stats speak for themselves.
Whether it’s Test cricket’s patience, ODI’s balance, or T20’s explosiveness – these batters mastered everything.
These records prove one thing – greatness takes time, dedication, and endless hard work. Every run counts. Every inning matters.
