Cricket in India is like a religion. It, is not just a game in India but something beyond that. Significantly, the fans are more enthusiastic whenever there is an ICC tournament going on in world cricket. Fans show their full support for the team and pray for their victory. Till now, India has reached a total of 11 ICC finals including the ongoing world test championship. They have won a total of 5 ICC trophies till now. But have you ever wondered who are the top 10 batsmen of India who scored most individual runs in an ICC final? Let us have a look:
1. Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly, popularly known as Dada, is one of the greats of Indian cricket. Ganguly made his debut for India in 1992. The Prince of Calcutta had a remarkable career. Ganguly scored more than 18000 runs in international cricket which, is a rare feat. Ganguly captained India from 2000-2005. During his tenure, India reached ICC final three times. Ganguly was a match-winner for his team. He holds an excellent record in the ICC events too. One such knock of his was in the Champions Trophy in 2000. There, he made a praiseworthy knock of 117. He is perhaps the only Indian to score a century in an ICC final. Though India lost the finals, Ganguly’s knock would be remembered by all cricket fans.
2. Gautam Gambhir
The second cricketer in this list is none other than Gautam Gambhir. He was one of the pioneers of Indian cricket. He was an aggressive cricketer and had the hunger for runs. He always performed well for his team. Having represented team India for 58 Tests, 147 ODIs and, 37 T20Is, he scored 4154 runs, 5238 runs, and 932 runs in these formats, respectively. Despite having ups and downs in his career, he cemented his place in most of the ICC tournaments. During his playing days, where he performed terrifically well. His knock of 97 runs in the ODI world cup of 2011 made him gain second in the list. His contribution in the final was praiseworthy, and made India lift its second ODI world cup.
3. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
MS Dhoni is the only Indian captain who has named three ICC trophies to his name as a captain. He was called “Captain Cool”. This is because of his tactical decision-making ability, even in tough times. Under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, India has won the T20 world cup final, ODI world cup final, and champions trophy. In the ODI world cup, 2011, Dhoni made a blistering and quick knock of 91*, which made India lift the world cup after a wait of 28 long years. Dhoni had 4876 runs, 10733 runs, and 1617 runs in Test, ODI and, T20I cricket, respectively. He is regarded as one of the finest wicket-keepers in world cricket.
4. Ajinkya Rahane
After being dropped from the team for several months, Rahane made a dramatic entry in team India in the ongoing World Test Championship Final. His comeback was very valuable for team India as he hammered a staggering 89 runs knock against Australia. The runs came from his bat at a time when team India was in a difficult situation and, batters were losing their wicket from the other end. Rahane has 5020 runs in test cricket, 2962 runs in ODI cricket, and 375 runs In T20I cricket.
5. Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag has scored 8586 runs, 8273 runs, and 394 runs in Test cricket, ODI, and T20I, respectively. He was an aggressive opener. He always dominated his opponents with his fearless style of playing. Sehwag was considered one of the best openers in the world during his time who can to play any type of shot. His knock of 82 runs in the ODI World Cup final in 2003 made earn him this place on the list. In that world cup, India lost the finals as all the stalwarts of India failed to perform. Only Sehwag’s contribution in that match was noteworthy.
6. Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is a match-winner for whichever team he represents. Modern-day great Virat Kohli has a huge fan base in India. Virat Kohli has a decent career even in all the ICC tournaments he played. He played a blistering knock of 77 runs in ICC T20 World Cup Final in 2014. Despite his praiseworthy efforts, India lost the finals to Sri Lanka. Virat Kohli has amassed more than 24000 runs till now in his career. His contribution for India in cricket is outstanding. And his statistics in cricket is of a legend.
7. Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya is a well-renowned all-rounder. Pandya is a hard hitter who bats down the order. He can contribute with the bat as well. He has 532 runs, 1584 runs, and 1271 runs in Test, ODI and, T20I cricket, respectively. He has leadership qualities and is currently captain of Gujarat Titans, an IPL franchise. Though India lost the Champions Trophy in 2017 against Pakistan, the contribution of Hardik Pandya with the bat is one of the most memorable knocks in cricket history. He scored a quickfire 76 runs in that match. Unfortunately, he got run out in that match. As a result of this, it ended India’s hope of winning another Champions trophy.
8. Sachin Tendulkar
Writing about this legend would not be enough in this short paragraph. Fans might wonder why Sachin Tendulkar does not top the list. Despite being the highest run-getter in ICC events for India, Tendulkar failed to make any mark in ICC finals every time India reached there. Except for his one knock of 69 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy final of 2000. His partnerships, with Sourav Ganguly was one of the best partnership, cricketing fans have ever seen. He scored 15921 runs and 18426 runs in Test and ODI cricket.
9. Rohit Sharma
Another consistent performer for India in ICC events is Rohit Sharma. Despite India’s unsuccessful campaign in World Test Championship in 2021, Rohit Sharma made 64 runs in that match scoring 34 runs in the first innings and 30 runs in the second innings. Rohit Sharma has scored 3394 runs, 9825 runs, and 3853 runs in Test, ODI and, T20I, respectively.
10. Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur is a right arm medium fast bowler who can contribute with the bat as well. He has shown his ability to contribute with the bat on many occasions. He has even scored five half-centuries in his international cricket career. In the ongoing World Test championship, Shardul Thakur has scored 51 runs which helped India respectably put an end to their first innings.
