While there is a lot of talk about the decline of One Day Internationals, the ODI WC is still the pinnacle of World Cricket with billions of fans supporting their teams and enjoying world-class action. The World Cup has seen many amazing batting performances & so, in this article we will look at 'Top 10 Run Scorers of All Time in the World Cup'.
1. Sachin Tendulkar
The highest run scorer in the World Cup is Sachin Tendulkar, who has scored 2278 runs in 45 matches at an average of 56.95 and strike rate of 88.98. He also holds the record for most runs in a season of the World Cup in 2003 where he scored 673 runs. He also holds the record of scoring most centuries and half centuries in the World Cup.
2. Ricky Ponting
The legendary Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, is the most successful captain in the World Cup by winning 26 out of 29 matches. He led his team to successive titles in 2003 & 2007. He overall scored 1743 runs in 46 matches at an average of 45.86 and strike rate of 79.95. He featured in 5 World Cups and also scored a century in the 2003 World Cup Finals. His best season was the 2007 World Cup, where he scored 539 runs at an average of 67.37.
3. Kumar Sangakkara
One of the most successful wicketkeepers in the World Cup, Sangakkara has been quite impressive with the bat too, in the World Cup. He has scored 1532 runs at an average of 56.74 and a strike rate of 86.55. His best season came in the 2015 World Cup, where he scored 541 runs at an average of 108.2, which included four back-to-back centuries. He also led his team to the final in the World Cup, where he scored 465 runs at an average of 93.
4. BC Lara
A legend of West Indies, Lara had scored 1225 runs in 34 matches in the World Cup at an average of 42.24 and a strike rate of 86.26. He was part of five World Cups for West Indies, which included three group-stage exits. His best knock came in the 2003 World Cup, where he scored 116 against South Africa.
5. AB de Villiers
The legendary South African batter has scored 1207 runs in 23 matches at an average of 63.52 and a strike rate of 117.29. He has the highest average & highest strike rate on this list. His best season came in 2015, where he scored 482 runs, including 166 against West Indies, where he scored the fastest 150 in ODI history. He was part of 3 World Cups but failed to win this trophy.
6. Chris Gayle
Gayle has been one of the best openers of white ball cricket and he has very hit and miss outing in World Cups. He has scored 1186 runs in 35 matches at an average of 35.93 and a strike rate of 90.53. His best knock was against Zimbabwe where he scored 215 runs in 2015 World Cup.
7. Sanath Jayasuriya
The swashbuckling opener of Sri Lanka, Jayasuriya played a major role in the 1996 World Cup win for Sri Lanka. He has scored 1165 runs in 38 matches at an average of 34.26 and a strike rate of 90.66. His best season came in the 2007 World Cup, where he scored 467 runs, which included 2 centuries.
8. Shakib al Hasan
The Bangladesh all-rounder is the only active player in the list and he is playing his 5th World Cup. He has scored 1160 runs in 30 matches at an average of 44.61 and a strike rate of 82.15. His best season came in 2019 World Cup, where he scored 606 runs with an average of 86.57, he also picked a five-for in that edition of the World Cup.
9. J Kallis
The South African Great has scored 1148 runs in 36 matches at an average of 45.92 and a strike rate of 74.4. His best season was 2007 World Cup, where he scored 485 runs at an average of 80.83 and in same season he scored his maiden World Cup century. He also holds record of 2nd most Fifty in World Cups.
10. T Dilshan
The former Sri Lankan opener was the highest run getter in the 2011 World Cup & played a major role in Sri Lanka's road to the Finals. He has scored 1112 runs in 27 matches at an average of 52.95 and a strike rate of 92.97. He also holds the record for highest score by a Sri Lankan batter in the World Cup (161 vs. Bangladesh in 2015 WC).
