The ICC Cricket World Cup, which is the apex of the 50-over format, has given birth to some of the greatest batting displays in cricket history. According to the icc world cup schedule new update, Batsmen have carried the scoring load and produced significant match-winning performances for their sides ever since the inaugural World Cup in 1975. The following list of batsmen includes those who have scored the most runs in World Cup history after 12 tournaments:
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Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 2278 runs
The most World Cup runs ever scored are held by Sachin Tendulkar, the greatest batsman in history. He scored 2278 runs, averaging 56.95, during six World Cups.Thanks to Tendulkar, who finished second in scoring with 482 runs, including two centuries, India achieved history by winning the 2011 World Cup on its own grounds. His finest performance in 2003, when he scored 673 runs at a pace of 61.18, earned him the Tournament Player of the Tournament award. Six hundreds have been scored by Tendulkar alone in World Cups. His scores of 98 against Pakistan in 2003 and 85 against Pakistan in the 2011 World Cup semifinal were two of his greatest performances.
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Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 1743 runs
Ricky Ponting, a former captain of Australia, comes in second with 1743 World Cup runs. During the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, he served as Australia’s captain. When Australia dominated in 2003 (659 runs) and 2007, Ponting scored the most runs (539 runs). In his five World Cup appearances, he scored at a rate of 45.86. One of the finest World Cup performances was Ponting’s superb unbroken 140 against India in the 2003 championship game.He is one of the top ODI batsmen, having amassed more than 13,000 runs.
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Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 1532 runs
Stylish left-hander Kumar Sangakkara has scored the third most runs at World Cups. He aggregated 1532 runs from 4 World Cup appearances at an excellent average of 51.06. Sangakkara’s performance at the 2015 World Cup was extraordinary as he scored 541 runs at 108.20 with 4 hundreds, despite Sri Lanka falling short at the final hurdle. His brilliance earned him the Player of the Tournament award. Sangakkara also delivered at the 2011 and 2007 World Cups making him one of Sri Lanka’s batting greats.
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Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 1240 runs
Another Sri Lankan legend, Mahela Jayawardene occupies the fourth place with 1240 runs. He was a vital cog in Sri Lanka’s runners-up finishes at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups. Jayawardene’s elegant batting fetched 317 runs in the 2011 edition. His century in the 2011 final is one of the classic World Cup knocks. Jayawardene scored his runs at an average of 35.71 from 5 editions of the tournament.
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AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 1207 runs
Mr. 360 AB de Villiers is next on the list with 1207 runs at an incredible average of 63.21 from 3 World Cups. De Villiers was the backbone of South Africa’s batting at World Cups in the post-Kallis era. His 482 runs at 96.40 in the 2015 edition with 2 hundreds were one of the best World Cup performances of all time, even though South Africa fell short once again in the semifinals. De Villiers also scored 2 centuries each at the 2011 and 2007 World Cups.
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Brian Lara (West Indies) – 1225 runs
The Caribbean legend Brian Lara occupies the sixth position with 1225 runs. Lara played in 5 editions of the World Cup from 1992 to 2007. His highest was the 2003 World Cup when he smashed 474 runs at an average of 79. He is well known for scoring the first double hundred in ODI history. Lara produced many memorable knocks like his brilliant 116 against South Africa in 2003 and 111 against Sri Lanka in 2007.
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Matthew Hayden (Australia) – 1037 runs
Australian lefty Matthew Hayden takes the seventh spot with 1037 runs scored in just 3 World Cups. Hayden was integral to Australia’s success at the 2003 and 2007 World Cups. He smashed 659 runs in 2003 at an average of 73.22 with three centuries and three fifties. Hayden scored a quickfire 103 in the 2007 final against Sri Lanka. His imposing batting style made him one of Australia’s most intimidating openers.
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Viv Richards (West Indies) – 1013 runs
The legendary Viv Richards scored 1013 runs in five World Cups, terrifying bowlers in his prime. Richards played during a period in which scoring rates were significantly lower, yet he still managed to hit two hundreds, including a magnificent 138 against England in 1979. Viv played for the West Indies teams that captured the World Cup in 1975 and 1979. He is known as an all-time great thanks to his supremacy in one-day international cricket.
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Virat Kohli (India) – 973 runs
Among active players, Virat Kohli occupies 9th place with 973 World Cup runs already under his belt. Kohli was the star for India at the 2019 World Cup scoring 5 consecutive fifties and finishing as the top run-getter with 673 runs including 5 fifties. Assuming Kohli plays the next 1-2 editions, he is likely to move up higher on the list and potentially challenge Tendulkar’s record.
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Aaron Finch (Australia) – 900 runs
Current Australian skipper Aaron Finch rounds off the top 10 list with 900 World Cup runs. Finch was the 2nd highest run scorer for Australia at the victorious 2015 World Cup campaign. He smashed 507 runs in that edition. Finch also made a century in the 2019 semifinal against England. His solid batting and leadership guided Australia to the 2015 title win on home soil.
Conclusion
Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most runs at World Cups followed by the likes of Ponting, Sangakkara, Jayawardene, de Villiers and Lara. Among current players, Kohli and Finch have already notched up impressive tallies. As per icc world cup new update news, future World Cups unfold, more batting stars are likely to join this exclusive club of prolific run-getters on cricket’s biggest stage. But Tendulkar’s World Cup batting legacy will be hard to eclipse for any player.
