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Indian cricket has seen quite a few run machines. Five players have scored over 10,000 runs in the One Day International (ODI) games for India and one prominent player is hovering just over 9,000 runs. 

In early 2022, the Indian cricket team created history by becoming the first in the world to play 1,000 ODI matches. Given this record, it is safe to say that the team has a bunch of players who have had ample opportunities to score runs in the 50-over format. 

Below is a list of people who made the most of these opportunities.

Most ODI runs for India

Sachin Tendulkar - 18,426

No prizes for guessing this name to be on top of the list. The God of Cricket rules cricket books for over two decades, he had to be up there. Tendulkar has played 463 matches across his 23-year-old ODI career and scored 18,426 runs.

He boasts of a healthy average of 44.83 and strike rate of 86.23. He also has 49 ODI centuries, the most in this format of the game. 

Virat Kohli - 12,809

The former Indian cricket team captain has given fans many exciting moments to cherish. He has 12,809 runs in his kitty from 271 ODI matches. He holds one of the best ODI averages in the game - 57.69 - and a great strike rate of 93.77. 

Kohli has 46 ODI centuries, second to only his senior, Sachin Tendulkar, not just on the Indian list but also on the international list. 

Sourav Ganguly - 11,211

The former Indian captain and BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) president has seen India through to the winning line with some great knocks, and has played 308 ODI matches. 

He has an average of 40.95, 22 centuries and a whopping 71 half-centuries to his name. 

Rahul Dravid - 10,768

The Wall of Indian cricket, Rahul Dravid, has played 340 ODIs across his 15-year-long career. While he has just 12 ODI centuries, his consistency can be seen in his 82 ODI half-centuries. 

He was also the man who donned multiple hats for the team - opener, middle-order batter, wicket-keeper, and a stand-in captain to name a few. His ability to perform across roles and batting positions is much respected in cricket history. 

MS Dhoni - 10,599

Captain Cool, as MS Dhoni is fondly addressed as, is known to be one of India’s most reliable finishers. In 347 games, he has maintained an average of 50.23 and a strike rate of 87.13. 

He is the only designated middle-order batter among the top-five. Up the order, the number of balls available to face are always more, and despite this not working in Dhoni’s favour, he has made it to the top of this list. He stood a class apart. 

Name

Total ODI runs

Matches

Average

100s

Sachin Tendulkar

18,426

463

44.83

49

Virat Kohli

12,809

271

57.69

46

Sourav Ganguly

11,211

308

40.95

22

Rahul Dravid

10,768

340

39.15

12

MS Dhoni

10,599

347

50.23

9

 

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Featured photo: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN / AFP

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