Most Runs in International Cricket – All Formats Combined
Cricket is a game of passion, records, and legends. One of the most celebrated milestones in the sport is the most runs in international cricket. From iconic Test battles to thrilling ODIs and electrifying T20Is, a few batting giants have dominated across eras. In this article, we explore the complete list of most international runs, including all formats combined, and highlight the top run-scorers who redefined consistency and longevity.
Why International Runs Matter?
Scoring runs at the international level is not just about talent—it’s about longevity, adaptability, and temperament. Batters who top the list of highest international runs have excelled in all conditions, formats, and against the toughest oppositions. These players are role models and often considered the richest legends in cricketing history.
Top 10 Players with Most Runs in International Cricket (All Formats)
Here’s the updated list of batters with the most runs in cricket history, combining Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
| Rank | Player | Country | Matches | Innings | Runs | 100s | 50s | Highest Score | Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 664 | 782 | 34,357 | 100 | 164 | 248* | 1989–2013 |
| 2 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 594 | 666 | 28,016 | 63 | 153 | 319 | 2000–2015 |
| 3 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 560 | 668 | 27,483 | 71 | 146 | 257 | 1995–2012 |
| 4 | Virat Kohli* | India | 522+ | 610+ | 27,000+ | 80+ | 150+ | 254* | 2008–2025* |
| 5 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 652 | 725 | 25,957 | 54 | 136 | 374 | 1997–2015 |
| 6 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 519 | 617 | 25,534 | 62 | 149 | 224 | 1995–2014 |
| 7 | Rahul Dravid | India | 509 | 605 | 24,208 | 48 | 146 | 270 | 1996–2012 |
| 8 | Brian Lara | West Indies | 430 | 521 | 22,358 | 53 | 111 | 400* | 1990–2007 |
| 9 | Shivnarine Chanderpaul | West Indies | 454 | 553 | 20,988 | 30 | 125 | 203* | 1994–2015 |
| 10 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | 420 | 484 | 20,014 | 47 | 109 | 278* | 2004–2018 |
Format-Wise Breakdown of Most Runs in International Cricket
1. Most Runs in Test Cricket
The longest and toughest format is the ultimate test for batters.
- Sachin Tendulkar: 15,921 runs
- Ricky Ponting: 13,378 runs
- Jacques Kallis: 13,289 runs
- Virat Kohli: 9,000+ runs (active)
2. Most Runs in ODIs
ODI cricket has produced some legendary scorers.
- Sachin Tendulkar: 18,426 runs
- Kumar Sangakkara: 14,234 runs
- Ricky Ponting: 13,704 runs
- Virat Kohli: 13,500+ runs (active)
3. Most Runs in T20Is
The shortest format favors explosive batters.
- Virat Kohli: 4,000+ runs (leading run-scorer in T20Is)
- Rohit Sharma: 3,900+ runs
- Babar Azam: 3,800+ runs
4. Most Runs Across All Formats
- Sachin Tendulkar remains the undisputed leader with 34,357 runs.
- Virat Kohli is the only active player in the top 5 and could surpass Ponting and Sangakkara soon.
IPL and Franchise Cricket – A Parallel World
While IPL runs don’t count in international records, they showcase consistency in shorter formats.
- Virat Kohli: 8,000+ runs (most in IPL history).
- Shikhar Dhawan & Rohit Sharma: Among the top scorers.
Franchise cricket adds to a player’s reputation, though international runs remain the ultimate benchmark.
Records & Milestones
- Most Centuries in International Cricket: Sachin Tendulkar (100).
- Most Fifties: Kumar Sangakkara & Virat Kohli close behind.
- Only Triple Centurions: Brian Lara (400*), Virender Sehwag (319).
Key Takeaways
- Sachin Tendulkar – still the king with highest international runs.
- Virat Kohli – modern-day giant, fastest to 25,000+ runs.
- Sangakkara & Ponting – consistent legends of their era.
- Batting across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is showcases adaptability and fitness.
FAQs
Sachin Tendulkar with 34,357 runs across formats.
Virat Kohli with 27,000+ runs (as of September 2025).
ODIs dominate with batters like Tendulkar, Kohli, Sangakkara leading.
Sachin Tendulkar with 100 international hundreds.
Highly unlikely in total runs, but in ODIs & centuries, Kohli is already close.
Conclusion
The journey to become the highest run-scorer in international cricket demands skill, fitness, and determination. While legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ponting, Sangakkara, Lara created history, the modern era belongs to Virat Kohli who continues to rewrite records. The race for most international runs in cricket history reflects the greatness of batters who made cricket a global phenomenon.
