The most runs in ODI World Cup is one of the most prestigious batting records in cricket. Your best lineups must stand the test of time. Since the commencement of the very first ICC Cricket World Cup back in 1975, we have seen many batting greats gracing the tournament, but few of them have been able to breach past the landmark figure of 1,000 runs during this competition.
Sachin Tendulkar of India is still the all-time leading run scorer in ODI World Cup history with 2,278 runs across six editions of the World Cup. With brilliant displays in previous tournaments, even modern greats such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have made their way up the rankings.
Most Runs in ODI World Cup History (All-Time)
| Rank | Player | Team | World Cups | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s | Highest Score |
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 1992–2011 | 45 | 2,278 | 56.95 | 6 | 15 | 152 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | India | 2011–2023 | 37 | 1,795 | 59+ | 5 | 12 | 117 |
| 3 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 1996–2011 | 46 | 1,743 | 45.97 | 5 | 6 | 140* |
| 4 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 2003–2015 | 37 | 1,532 | 56.74 | 5 | 7 | 124 |
| 5 | Rohit Sharma | India | 2015–2023 | 28 | 1,575 | 60+ | 7 | 6 | 140 |
| 6 | Brian Lara | West Indies | 1992–2007 | 34 | 1,225 | 42+ | 2 | 7 | 116 |
| 7 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | 2007–2015 | 23 | 1,207 | 63+ | 4 | 6 | 162* |
| 8 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 2003–2019 | 35 | 1,186 | 35+ | 2 | 7 | 215 |
| 9 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 1996–2011 | 36 | 1,148 | 45+ | 1 | 9 | 128* |
| 10 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 1992–2007 | 38 | 1,165 | 34+ | 3 | 6 | 120 |
Sachin Tendulkar – The King of ODI World Cup Runs
There has never been a greater World Cup batter than Sachin Tendulkar. He scored 2,278 runs in six World Cup tournaments – the most of any player in tournament history.
His World Cup achievements include:
- List of most runs in ODI World Cups
- Six World Cup centuries
- Fifteen half-centuries
- Most Runs (673) – 2003 Cricket World Cup
- A member of the 2011 World Cup-winning team from India
His longevity over the span of nearly two decades makes his record in the World Cup one of cricket’s greatest accomplishments.
Virat Kohli’s ODI World Cup Record
There is no doubt that Virat Kohli has become one of the greatest ODI No.3 batters in history. He went on to make a number of batting records during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup where he became the highest run-getter in a single edition of World Cup, scoring 765 runs and overtook Sachin Tendulkar’s best figure at world stage which was 673 runs.
- Highlights include:
- Over 1,700 World Cup runs
- Five centuries
- Outstanding batting average above 59
- Most Outstanding Player of the 2023 World Cup
Rohit Sharma’s World Cup Batting Records
Rohit Sharma has been one of the most dangerous batsmen in World Cup history. His fearless attacking method at the top of the order has provided plenty of memorable innings.
Major achievements include:
- Most ODI world cup centuries (7)
- Over 1,500 World Cup Runs
- Five centuries in the 2019 World Cup
- In ICC tournaments 8 season consistently high strike rate
Ricky Ponting – Australia’s World Cup Legend
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting was the mainstay of Australia’s era of World Cup domination.
His achievements include:
- 1,743 World Cup runs
- 3x World Cup winner: (1999, 2003, 2007)
- Five centuries
- Winning 140* in the World Cup Final in 2003
Combined leadership with unparalleled consistency, while playing in World Cups – Ponting.
Kumar Sangakkara’s Brilliant World Cup Career
Kumar Sangakkara is one of the all-time legends of glovework in the ODI World Cups.
Career highlights:
- 1,532 World Cup runs
- Five centuries
- Average close to 57
- Appeared in both the World Cup finals of 2007 and 2011
He was among the top batsmen in the tournament, with his smooth strokeplay.
Also Read: U19 Cricket World Cup Stats || 2023 Cricket World Cup Stats || India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup
Highest Runs in a Single ODI World Cup Edition
| Player | Tournament | Runs |
| Virat Kohli | 2023 | 765 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 2003 | 673 |
| Matthew Hayden | 2007 | 659 |
| Rohit Sharma | 2019 | 648 |
| David Warner | 2019 | 647 |
Final Thoughts
Most Runs In ODI World Cup: The greats of cricket showcase batting energy If Sachin Tendulkar is considered the most consistent World Cup performer, then Virat Kohli made history in 2023 and Rohit Sharma’s explosive century collection keeps growing — every generation had its unique sapphire at the mega stage. As the ICC Cricket World Cups come along, many more records can get broken but Sachin Tendulkar’s aggregate of 2,278 in WC cricket
FAQs
Who has scored the most runs in ODI World Cup history?
Sachin Tendulkar leads the all-time list with 2,278 runs in 45 matches.
Who has the most centuries in ODI World Cup history?
Rohit Sharma holds the record with seven centuries in ODI World Cups.
Who scored the most runs in a single ODI World Cup?
Virat Kohli scored 765 runs during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, the highest total in a single edition.