Top 5 Indian Batsmen With The Most Runs In International Cricket

Indian cricket has been blessed with many great batsmen who have etched their names in history across all three formats of the game — Tests, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). When compiling a list of the highest run-scorers in combined international cricket for India, several legends emerge, each of whom has made a significant contribution to the country’s cricketing prowess. In this Article, we are going to learn about the top 5 highest run-scorers for India in International Cricket.

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Undoubtedly, at the top of this list is the “Little Master” Sachin Tendulkar. With an astonishing 34,357 runs across all formats, Tendulkar’s career spanned from 1989 to 2013 and is a testament to unmatched longevity, consistency and sheer dominance. He holds the world record for most runs in Test (15,921 runs) and ODI (18,426 runs) cricket. His memorable feat of 100 international centuries is a record that can never be broken. Tendulkar’s ability to adapt to different conditions and opposition, his impeccable technique and insatiable hunger for runs made him a global icon and arguably the greatest batsman of all time.

2. Virat Kohli

A modern-day legend and often touted as the heir to Tendulkar’s batting throne, Virat Kohli stands firmly in second place. Kohli has scored 27599 international runs in his international career so far (9,230 in Tests, 14,181 in ODIs and 4,188 in T20Is). While he has retired from the T20 and Test formats, Kohli will still be seen playing ODI cricket. Virat Kohli has been aggressive since the beginning of his career. His technique is cited worldwide. Kohli holds the record for most ODI centuries (51) and has been a consistent top-order batsman across all formats for over a decade.

3. Rahul Dravid

Known as “The Wall” for his robust defence and uncompromising nature, Rahul Dravid is third with a total of 24,208 international runs. Dravid was the epitome of Test match batting, scoring 13,288 runs in the longest format, making him the fourth-highest run-scorer in Test history. Often underdogs compared to his contemporaries, Dravid scored 10,889 runs in ODIs and showcased his versatility. His incredible power of concentration and ability to trouble opposition bowlers made him an invaluable asset for the Indian team for over 15 years.

4. Rohit Sharma

The current ODI captain of the Indian cricket team, Rohit Sharma, is fourth on the list. He has scored a total of 19700 runs in his international career so far, which includes 49 centuries and 108 half-centuries. He is also the batsman who has hit the most 637 sixes in world cricket. Rohit has scored 4301 runs in Test cricket, 4231 runs in T20 format and 11168 runs in ODI cricket. His status in ODI cricket is such that he is the only batsman in the world who has a record of scoring 3 double centuries in ODIs. At the same time, the highest individual cricket score of 264 runs in ODI cricket is also recorded in Rohit’s name. Rohit has currently said goodbye to Test and T20 formats, while he will still be seen playing ODI cricket. Under Rohit’s captaincy, India has now won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and ICC Champions Trophy 2025 titles.

5. Sourav Ganguly

The charismatic “Dada” Sourav Ganguly is next on the list with combined international runs of 18,575 (7,212 in Tests and 11,363 in ODIs). As a dynamic left-handed batsman and a revolutionary captain, Ganguly transformed Indian cricket. His aggressive approach, especially in ODIs, and his ability to hit huge sixes made him a crowd favourite. He formed a formidable opening pair with Sachin Tendulkar in ODIs and led India to many memorable victories, instilling a new sense of belief and competition in the team.