All-Time Highest Run Scorers in Cricket: Test, ODI, and T20I Records
Who has scored the most runs in international cricket history? Discover the legends at the top of the all-time run-scoring charts across all three formats.
All-Time Test Run Scorers
| Rank | Batter | Country | Approximate Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 15,921 |
| 2 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 13,378 |
| 3 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 13,289 |
| 4 | Rahul Dravid | India | 13,288 |
| 5 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 12,400 |
All-Time ODI Run Scorers
| Rank | Batter | Country | Approximate Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 18,426 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | India | 13,000+ |
| 3 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 14,234 |
| 4 | Rohit Sharma | India | 10,000+ |
| 5 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 13,704 |
T20I Run Scoring Leaders
T20Is are a newer format and the leading run scorers are still actively accumulating totals. Virat Kohli was the leading T20I run scorer for many years, passing 4,000 T20I runs. Players who retired before T20Is became prominent — including Tendulkar — have fewer T20I runs despite their era dominance.
Aggregate International Runs
When all international formats are combined — Tests, ODIs, and T20Is — Sachin Tendulkar remains the all-time leading run scorer with over 34,000 international runs. Virat Kohli's active career has brought him close to this tally in combined formats.
Frequently asked questions
Who scored the most runs in a single Test career?
Sachin Tendulkar's 15,921 Test runs remains the record. He played 200 Tests over 24 years, averaging 53.78.
Has anyone ever scored more than 1,000 runs in a single Test series?
Yes. Don Bradman scored 974 runs in the 1930 Ashes series — the most by any player in a single Test series. This record has never been approached in modern cricket.
Who is the leading run scorer in T20 World Cups specifically?
Virat Kohli has been the leading scorer in T20 World Cup history for many years, having scored multiple 50+ innings in key knockout matches. His strike rate during those performances is also among the highest of any frequent scorer.