Cricket is a game defined as a game between bat and ball. Other than bilateral series and league cricket, ICC tournaments are the most important tournament for any cricket player. Becoming the highest run-scorer or wicket-taker in any ICC World Cup edition is a dream for any player. From 1975 to 2013, we have seen many great batters scoring many runs in the World Cup. So, here’s a list of the top ten scorers in each World Cup edition.
1. Virat Kohli, 2023
Even though India did not win the 2023 World Cup, India performed exceptionally well in this World Cup. In all departments, Team India did not disappoint its fans. Virat Kohli played one of the most significant roles for India. In the 2023 World Cup, he scored 765 runs in 11 matches with an unbelievable average of 95.62, scoring three centuries and six half-centuries. Virat Kohli has the record of scoring the most runs in a World Cup edition. He got the Player of the Match award in this World Cup for his performance.
2. Sachin Tendulkar, 2003
Before Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar had the record of scoring the most runs in a World Cup edition. In the 2003 World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar played one of the crucial roles for India's team. Through his contribution, India got into the finals of the 2003 World Cup. Even though in the 2003 World Cup, Sachin only practiced once in a net, he scored 673 runs in 11 matches. In this tournament, Sachin scored a fantastic average of 61.18, scoring a century and six half-centuries. Sachin Tendulkar was awarded the Player of the Game for his exceptional performance.
3. Mathew Hayden, 2007
There was a time when Australia used to win matches single-handedly, and this was because of its unstoppable team. In the 2007 World Cup, Australia came as the defending champion, and without losing any game, Australia won the 2007 World Cup. Mathew Hayden also played a massive role in the 2007 World Cup. In 11 matches of the World Cup, Mathew Hayden scored 659 runs with a fantastic average of 73.22, where he scored three centuries and a half-century, and Australia easily won the 2007 World Cup.
4. Rohit Sharma, 2019
From 2016 to 2020, Rohit Sharma was in the prime of his career. In this phase, he used to destroy opponent’s teams single-handedly. But he did something unimaginable in the 2019 World Cup edition. World Cup 2019 was hosted in England, and this World Cup, Rohit Sharma scored five centuries and broke the Sangakkara’s record of the most centuries in any World Cup edition. There were many matches that Rohit single-handedly won for India. In 9 innings, he scored 648 runs with an unimaginable average of 81.
5. Martin Guptill, 2015
Martin Guptill is a current opener batsman of New Zealand. In the 2015 World Cup, the New Zealand team reached the finals because of McCullum’s attacking start, good bowling lineup, and Martin Guptill’s contribution. Martin Guptill scored 547 runs in 9 matches with an impeccable average of 68.73 with a strike rate of 104. In this World Cup edition, Guptill scored 237 runs in the quarter-final, the most by any batsman in any knockout match. In the 2015 World Cup, he hit 16 sixes and 59 boundaries.
6. Sachin Tendulkar, 1996
In the 1996 World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar was only 22 years old, but age did not matter for him as he was the highest run scorer for India in the 1996 World Cup edition. As a youngster, 1996 was the most impressive World Cup for Sachin Tendulkar. In 7 matches, he scored 523 runs with an outstanding average of 87.16, in which Sachin hit two centuries and three half-centuries. No other Indian batter could score 200 runs in the 1996 World Cup, and a whole batting lineup depended only on him.
7. Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2011
In the 2011 World Cup edition, Sri Lanka played in the finals, and Tillakaratne Dilsha played one of the most critical roles for Sri Lanka. In 2011, Tillakaratne Dilshan scored 500 runs in 9 matches with an impeccable average of 62.5, scoring two centuries and two half-centuries. Unfortunately, Dilshan could not perform well for his team in the finals, but he was the highest run scorer in the 2011 World Cup.
8. Graham Gooch, 1987
Graham Gooch is a former batsman from England. In 1987, the World Cup was first held in India. In this World Cup edition, Graham Gooch was the highest run scorer, and he scored 471 runs in 8 matches with a fantastic average of 58.87, in which he scored a century and three half-centuries. In this World Cup edition, Graham Gooch scored 45 boundaries, and despite being the highest run scorer, he did not hit a single six in a World Cup.
9. Rahul Dravid, 1999
Rahul Dravid is one of the most technically sound and reliable batsmen that India has ever produced. The 1999 World Cup was decent for India as they lost the quarter-final match against knockout. In this World Cup edition, batters scored a few runs. Rahul Dravid was the highest run scorer in the 1999 World Cup as he scored 461 runs in 8 matches with a fantastic average of 65.85, where Rahul Dravid scored two centuries and three half-centuries.
10. Martin Crowe, 1992
Martin Crowe was one of the most technically sound batsmen that New Zealand cricket has ever seen. Australia and New Zealand hosted the 1992 World Cup. New Zealand's former skipper, Martin Crowe, scored the highest runs in the 1992 World Cup edition. In this World Cup, he scored 456 runs in 9 matches, whereas Martin Crowe scored a century and four half-centuries with a fantastic average of 64. New Zealand reached the semi-finals in this World Cup and lost against Pakistan.
