ODI cricket came into recognition after the longest format in the history of the game. Thus, players tend to play a bit more aggressively and freely in the white-ball format. But after the inception of T20 cricket, the approach to ODI cricket has also changed among the players. Now, batsmen tend to take more risks to score more runs.
Thus, nowadays we see modern-day players score heavy runs in very fewer matches as compared to the early era. However, the benchmark of 8000 runs in one format is still a dream for many cricketers around the world. But do you know who is the fastest batter to touch the 8000-run mark in ODIs? So here we will discuss the list.
5. Rohit Sharma (India) – 200 innings
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma makes this list at fifth place. Rohit entered the international arena as a middle-order batter, but later MS Dhoni promoted him as the opener and that was the turning point in his career. He made his ODI debut in June 2007 against Ireland and it took him 200 innings to reach 8000 runs in ODI cricket. So far, Rohit has scored 9376 runs in 226 ODI innings, including 29 centuries and 45 half-centuries.
4. Sourav Ganguly (India) – 200 innings
Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly is the joint-fourth fastest player to reach the 8000-run mark in ODIs. He was known for his aggressive approach, and that was the reason he got India’s captaincy. Ganguly also took 200 innings to complete this milestone. He made his ODI debut in January 1992 against West Indies and played his last ODI in November 2007 against Pakistan. Ganguly scored 11363 runs in 311 matches, with 22 fours and 72 centuries.
3. AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 182 innings
Former South African skipper AB de Villiers is the third-fastest batter to complete 8000 ODI runs. De Villiers rose to fame in the second half of his career, when he started playing some unbelievable shots. He was also known as “Mr. 360” because of his ability to hit the ball anywhere on the ground. He took 182 innings to reach the milestone. Overall, De Villiers made 9577 runs in 228 matches, with 25 centuries and 53 half-centuries.
2. Hashim Amla (South Africa) – 176 innings
Hashim Amla was one of the greatest batters that South Africa has ever produced in this game. He was the most consistent batter for his team across all formats. He makes this list in the second position. Amla took 176 innings to complete 8000 runs in his ODI career, which is just one inning less than the No. 1. Amla retired a bit early and scored 8113 runs in 181 ODI matches, including 27 centuries and 39 half-centuries in his career.
1. Virat Kohli (India) – 175 ODI innings
Well, only one man can be at the top of the list, and that is former Indian skipper Virat Kohli. The former skipper caught the eyes of everyone since his debut in international cricket and has been one of the most consistent players ever. Virat completed 8000 ODI runs in just 175 innings during his career. So far, he has scored 12344 runs in 253 innings, with 43 hundreds and 64 fifties.
Fastest 8000 runs in ODI cricket
| Player | Against | Match Date | Debut | Time | Inns | Mts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli (IND) | Bangladesh | 15 Jun 2017 | 18 Aug 2008 | 8y 301d | 175 | 183 |
| Hashim Amla (SA) | New Zealand | 19 Jun 2019 | 9 Mar 2008 | 11y 102d | 176 | 179 |
| AB de Villiers (SA) | New Zealand | 26 Aug 2015 | 2 Feb 2005 | 10y 205d | 182 | 190 |
| Sourav Ganguly (IND) | West Indies | 9 Nov 2002 | 11 Jan 1992 | 10y 302d | 200 | 208 |
| Rohit Sharma (IND) | Australia | 13 Mar 2019 | 23 Jun 2007 | 11y 263d | 200 | 206 |
| Ross Taylor (NZ) | Bangladesh | 20 Feb 2019 | 1 Mar 2006 | 12y 356d | 203 | 218 |
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | Pakistan | 8 Jun 1999 | 18 Dec 1989 | 9y 172d | 210 | 217 |
| Brain Lara (IND) | Australia | 1 Jun 2003 | 9 Nov 1990 | 12y 204d | 211 | 216 |
| MS Dhoni (IND) | New Zealand | 31 Jan 2014 | 23 Dec 2004 | 9y 39d | 214 | 243 |
| Saeed Anwar (PAK) | Sri Lanka | 13 Apr 2001 | 1 Jan 1989 | 12y 102d | 2018 | 221 |