ODI cricket is a mixture of Test and T20 formats because it gives the cricketer authority and time at the same time. That is why this format needs a lot of skills from a player to prove his worth. Often, we see a player start his international career with a bang, but it takes a lot to perform consistently.
But whoever does that, ends up as the greatest of the games. Thus, in this article we will cover such batters, who are the fastest to score 4000 ODI runs in the history of cricket. This list has some former and current superstars of the game. So let’s check the list of batters who have touched the 4000-run mark in ODI the fastest.
5. Joe Root (England) – 91 innings
Former English skipper Joe Root is the fifth fastest batsman to score 4,000 ODI runs. Root, who made his debut in January 2013 against India at Rajkot. He took 91 innings to achieve the milestone. So far, he has played 158 matches and scored 6207 runs at an average of 50.05. Root had also scored 16 centuries and 36 half-centuries.
4. Shai Hope (West Indies) – 88 innings
West Indies star opener Shai Hope is next on the list and is the joint-third fastest to reach the 4000 ODI runs. Hope made his ODI debut for the West Indies in November 2016 against Sri Lanka. He just took 88 innings to reach 4000 runs. Overall, he has scored 4308 runs in 104 matches at an average of 48.95. Hope has also scored 13 centuries and 21 half-centuries.
3. Viv Richards (West Indies) – 88 innings
The next man on the list is the former legendary batter from the West Indies, Sir Viv Richards. The former cricketer had a legendary career and was an idol for almost all of the world. Richards was the fastest (now third-fastest overall) who did it in 88 innings. He played 187 games for the West Indies and scored 6721 runs at an average of 47, including 11 centuries and 45 half-centuries.
2. Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 82 innings
We have talked about some former legends, but now we have a modern-day legend on the list. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is the second fastest batter ever to reach 4,000 ODI runs in his 82 innings. Babar made his debut for Pakistan in May 2015 against Zimbabwe. He has played 92 games so far and scored 4664 runs at an incredible average of 59.79, including 17 centuries and 22 half-centuries.
1. Hashim Amla (South Africa) – 81 innings
Former South African captain Hashim Amla finished his career as one of the game’s best batters. He is the fastest to reach 4,000 ODI runs. Hashim played his first ODI in March 2008 against Bangladesh and it took 81 innings to do so. He played 181 matches and scored 8113 runs at an average of 49.46. Hashim also scored 27 centuries and 39 half-centuries.
Fastest to 4000 Runs in ODI Cricket
| Player | Against | Match Date | Debut | Time | Mts | Inns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hashim Amla (SA) | India | 8 Dec 2013 | 9 Mar 2008 | 5y 274d | 84 | 81 |
| Babar Azam (PAK) | Australia | 29 Mar 2022 | 31 May 2015 | 6y 302d | 84 | 82 |
| Viv Richards (WI) | New Zealand | 14 Apr 1985 | 7 Jun 1975 | 9y 311d | 96 | 88 |
| Shai Hope (WI) | Pakistan | 8 Jun 2022 | 16 Nov 2016 | 5y 204d | 93 | 88 |
| Joe Root (ENG) | West Indies | 29 Sep 2017 | 11 Jan 2013 | 4y 261d | 97 | 91 |
| Virat Kohli (IND) | England | 19 Jan 2013 | 18 Aug 2008 | 4y 154d | 96 | 93 |
| David Warner (AUS) | Bangladesh | 5 Jun 2017 | 18 Jan 2009 | 8y 138d | 95 | 93 |
| Quinton de Kock (SA) | Sri Lanka | 8 Aug 2018 | 19 Jan 2013 | 5y 201d | 94 | 94 |
| Shikhar Dhawan (IND) | Sri Lanka | 17 Dec 2017 | 20 Oct 2010 | 7y 58d | 96 | 95 |
| Gordon Greenidge (WI) | England | 21 May 1988 | 11 Jun 1975 | 12y 345d | 97 | 96 |