The One Day Internationals or the 50-over format has always been of utmost importance. Since the first ODI World Cup in 1975, six teams have lifted the cup. Australia has won the tournament four times which is the most by any team. The captaincy in the ODI format must be top-notch to make an impact in the game. Playing as a captain and performing as a batter or a bowler is an ability that every player cannot have. In this article, we will look at the top 10 batters in ODI history with the most runs as captain.
1. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting was a former right-handed batter for Australia. The player with impeccable leadership qualities was born in 1974 in Tasmania. He made his ODI debut against South Africa in 1995. He was appointed as the captain in 2002 and led the ODI team in 230 matches. A quality player in the form of Ponting is the highest ODI run-scorer as the captain. He scored 8497 runs in just 220 innings as captain. His highest score was 164 and the batter scored 22 centuries and 51 half-centuries with an average of 42.91 in his captaincy tenure. The player announced their retirement from the ODI in 2012.
2. MS Dhoni
The captain cool of Indian Cricket was born in Ranchi in 1981. He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2004 and was run out on the first ball of his career. Despite starting on a low, the wicketkeeper and right-handed batter reached massive heights in his career, especially as a captain. A leader like no other, Dhoni was first appointed as the ODI captain in 2007 in a series against Australia at home. He went on to win the 2007 T20I World Cup, the 2011 ODI WC, and then the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy as the captain of the team. He scored 6641 runs as captain in 200 ODI matches.
3. Stephen Fleming
The former left-handed batsman and captain for New Zealand was born in Christchurch in 1973. He made his ODI debut against India in 1994 and was a common inclusion in the squad thereafter. The southpaw was one of the most influential skippers for the Kiwis. He played his first ODI as captain in 1997 and went on to lead the team in 218 matches. As captain in the ODIs, he scored 6295 runs with an average of 32.79. His highest score as skipper was 134*. He also scored seven 100s and 38 half-centuries.
4. Arjuna Ranatunga
The former left-handed batter and a captain for Sri Lanka was born in Colombo in 1963. He made his ODI debut against England in 1982. He was known as the “players’s captain” who made his captaincy debut against India in 1988. Considered one of the most dominating captains for Sri Lanka, the southpaw led the team in 193 matches and scored 5608 runs with four 100s and 37 half-centuries. His average as captain was 37.64 with the highest score of 131*. The former player retired from ODI cricket in 1999.
5. Virat Kohli
The Run-machine, King Kohli, Chase-master and many other names have been given to the player by his fans. Such is his influence over the cricketing world. The right-handed batter and former Indian skipper was born in Delhi in 1988. He made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2008. He was appointed the captain in the same format in 2013 and led the team in 95 matches and scored 5449 runs in just 91 innings at an unbelievable average of 72.65. His highest score was 160* against South Africa in 2018.
6. Graeme Smith
Graeme smith was a former left-handed batter and skipper for South Africa. Born in 1981 in Johannesburg, the southpaw made his ODI debut against Australia in 2002. He was named as the captain in 2003 and led the team in 150 ODI matches. His highest score as captain was 141 in 148 innings. The former opener scored 5416 runs for his nation as the captain at an average of 38.96. He announced his retirement from ODI cricket in 2013.
7. MD Azharuddin
Mohammad Azharuddin was a former right-handed batter and a captain for India in both formats. He made his debut in the ODI format in 1985 against England. Born in 1963 in Hyderabad, the batter was appointed as the captain in 1990. He led the team in the limited-over format in 175 matches and batted in 163 innings. As captain, the wristy batter scored 5243 runs at an average of 39.13. His highest score as captain was 153*.
8. Sourav Ganguly
Born in Calcutta in 1972, the former left-handed batter and a captain for India made his ODI debut against the West Indies in 1992 at the Gabba. He was appointed as the ODI captain in 1999 and led the team in 147 matches until 2005. As captain in the limited-over format, he scored 5104 runs in 143 innings. The southpaw had a decent average of 38.67 and the highest score of 144. He made eleven 100s and thirty 50s as the ODI skipper before announcing retirement in 2007.
9. AB de Villiers
The Mr. 360 of the game, A B de Villiers was born in Pretoria in 1984. The South African is considered one of the best middle-order batters to have ever played the game. He made his ODI debut in 2005 vs. England followed by his captaincy debut in the same format in 2012. He scored 4796 runs in 98 innings at an average of 63.95 with the highest score of 162*.
10. Allan Border
The former Australian left-handed batter and captain was born in Sydney. He made is ODI debut against England in 1979 at the SCG. The southpaw scored 4439 runs as the captain in the ODI format. He led the team in 178 matches after he was appointed as the skipper in 1985 against the West Indies at the MCG. He announced his retirement from ODI in 1994.
