In ODI cricket, there is a considerable difference between setting a target and chasing a target. In batting first, batters usually have less pressure as they do not have any predetermined target. But in chasing, batters must calculate to track a target, which brings them lots of responsibility and pressure. But in that intense pressure, only a few batsmen can play match-winning and win matches for their teams. So, let's look at the batters with the most runs in successful ODI run chases.
1. Virat Kohli
Undoubtedly, Virat Kohli is currently the best batsman in the world. Especially in ODI cricket, no cricketer comes to his record and stats. He recently broke Sachin's record for most ODI centuries in the ODI World Cup. But his most significant strength is chasing. Virat Kohli is a different beast in chasing the target, also known as the "chase master." Virat Kohli also holds the record for most runs in a successful ODI run chase. In 96 ODI innings, Virat Kohli has scored 5,786 runs with an unbelievable average of 90. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest batsmen that cricket has ever seen.
2. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is the greatest batsman that the world has ever seen. His records in tests and ODIs are unmatchable, as he is the highest run-scorer in international cricket. There was a time when Sachin Tendulkar was a one-person army for Team India. In ODI cricket, he won many impossible matches for India. His outstanding innings against Australia in Sharjah, known as "Desert Storm," is unforgettable for anyone. In 124 ODI innings, Sachin Tendulkar scored 5,490 runs, which resulted in India's winning cause. In successful ODI run chases, he has an exceptional average of 55.
3. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is the current captain of Team India, and that's why he is one of the most essential pillars of the Indian cricket team. Especially in ODIs, if Rohit Sharma plays till ten overs, he becomes the most dangerous batsman for the opposition. As an opener, Rohit Sharma has played many unforgettable innings for India. No one can forget his batting performance in the 2019 World Cup, where he scored five centuries. In the run chase, Rohit Sharma has played many match-winning innings. In 93 ODI innings, he scored 4,294 runs with an outstanding average of over 60.
4. Ricky Ponting
There are few players with a unique ability to bat and captain, and Ricky Ponting is one of them. It has been over ten years since his retirement, but no one can forget his eye-pleasing pull shots. He is Australia's most prominent batsman and captain and has consistently performed for his team. Also, in ODIs, Ricky Ponting has played many memorable and match-winning innings for Australia. In 104 ODI innings, he scored 4,186 runs with an impeccable average of 57 and his best score of 124.
5. Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis is the most excellent all-rounder that the world has ever seen. Undoubtedly, he is the kind of player who comes only once a century. Jacques Kallis is the only proper all-rounder on this list, showing quality as a batsman. With batting, he has won impossible matches for South Africa. For sure, Jacques Kallis was the biggest match-winner for South Africa, and his stats also prove the same. In 100 ODI innings, Jacques Kallis scored 3,950 runs with a fantastic average of 56. In all these 100 ODI innings, South Africa successfully chased the target and won the match.
6. Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist is a former left-handed batsman and wicketkeeper of Australia. Under his time, Australia used to be an unbeatable team. For Australia, Adam Gilchrist was one of the leading players. As an opener, he used to attack bowlers from the very 1st over of the match. Adam Gilchrist performed for Australia in every big game, and his stats show the same. After Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist is the Australian batsman with the most runs in a successful ODI run chase. While chasing, Adam Gilchrist batted in 90 ODI innings, scoring 3,750 runs with a remarkable average of 46.
7. Sanath Jayasuriya
Like Adam Gilchrist, Sanath Jayasuriya is one of the most aggressive batsmen that the world has ever seen. He was one of the first players who started attacking bowlers from the 1st ball of the match. His attacking batting style was one of the biggest reasons behind Sri Lanka's triumph in the 1996 World Cup. For sure, Sanath Jayasuriya has revolutionized and redefined ODI cricket. He scored the most in a successful run chase for Sri Lanka. In 103 ODI innings, Sanath Jayasuriya scored 3,633 runs with an average of around 38.
8. Brian Lara
After Viv Richards, everyone thought the West Indies could not produce a great batsman like him. But Brian Lara proved everyone wrong. For West Indies, he is the highest run-scorer in international cricket. Brian Lara played plenty of match-winning innings for West Indies for many years. He was one of the biggest match-winners of his time, and there have been many matches where he single-handedly won matches for West Indies. In 78 ODI innings, Brian Lara scored 3,498 runs with an average of more than 45.
9. Desmond Haynes
There was a time when West Indies used to be an undisputed and unbeatable team. In West Indie's team, Desmond Haynes used to be an opener who could steal any match from the opposition's hands. Even in ODI cricket, he has excellent records, which shows his adaptability as a batsman to play white-ball format. In ODI cricket, Desmond Haynes has played many match-winning innings for West Indies. In 91 ODI innings, he scored 3,321 runs with an average of over 37.
10. Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly is one of the finest batsmen that India has ever produced. His partnership with Sachin Tendulkar used to be the biggest nightmare for bowlers. For India, Sourav Ganguly has always given 100% in the field. Even in ODIs, he has been one of India's biggest match-winners. In 73 ODI innings, Sourav Ganguly scored 3,289 runs with an average of around 46.
