Top teams from the subcontinent compete against each other in the Asia Cup, which has been played since 1984. Until now, this tournament has seen a total of 15 successful seasons. Team India has won seven seasons, six in ODIs and one in T20Is. Sri Lanka is next with five ODIs and one T20I.
Next is Pakistan, with two ODI titles so far. Over the years, players like Sachin Tendulkar, Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, and Virat Kohli have featured in this edition. And this article will have a discussion about the list of players with the most runs in a single edition of the Asia Cup.
Most Runs in a Single Edition of Asia Cup (ODI Format)
| Batter | Season | Mts | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100/50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) | 2008 | 5 | 378 | 130 | 75.60 | 126.00 | 2/1 |
| Suresh Raina (IND) | 2008 | 6 | 372 | 116* | 74.40 | 110.38 | 2/2 |
| Virat Kohli (IND) | 2012 | 3 | 357 | 183 | 119.00 | 102.00 | 2/1 |
| Virender Sehwag (IND) | 2008 | 5 | 348 | 119 | 69.60 | 143.80 | 1/2 |
| Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | 2008 | 6 | 345 | 121 | 57.50 | 99.13 | 3/0 |
| Shikhar Dhawan (IND) | 2018 | 5 | 342 | 127 | 68.40 | 102.08 | 2/0 |
| MS Dhoni (IND) | 2008 | 6 | 327 | 109* | 109.00 | 91.34 | 1/2 |
| Rohit Sharma (IND) | 2018 | 5 | 317 | 111* | 105.66 | 93.51 | 1/2 |
| Shoaib Malik (PAK) | 2004 | 5 | 316 | 143 | 63.20 | 100.31 | 2/0 |
| Mushfiqur Rahim (BAN) | 2018 | 5 | 302 | 144 | 60.40 | 81.18 | 1/1 |
| Shubman Gill (India) | 2023 | 6 | 302 | 121 | 75.50 | 93.50 | 1/2 |
5. Kumar Sangakkara (SL) – 345 runs in 2008 edition
Kumar Sangakkara has scored the second-most runs in Asia Cup history, with the most half-centuries. But his best season came in 2008 in Pakistan. Sri Lanka won that edition, and he was among the highest run-getters in the tournament. In that edition, Sangakkara scored 345 runs in six innings at 57.50. The left-hander smashed three centuries in the tournament, with a best of 121.
4. Virender Sehwag (IND) – 348 runs in 2008 edition
Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag is in fourth place. Team India made it to the final of the 2008 Asia Cup in Pakistan. But they lost to Sri Lanka in the final. But Sehwag had a brilliant tournament. He scored 348 runs in just five innings at an average of 69.60 and a brilliant strike rate of 143.80. He scored one century and two half-centuries.
3. Virat Kohli (IND) – 357 runs in 2012 edition
Though Virat Kohli is not at the top of this list, his numbers in the 2012 edition were staggering. Pakistan won the 2012 season, beating Bangladesh in the final. India finished at No. 3. But Virat Kohli ended up as the tournament’s highest scorer in 2012. He smashed 357 runs in just three innings, including a special 183 against Pakistan in a 300-plus chase. He scored two centuries and one half-century in the three innings he played.
2. Suresh Raina (IND) – 372 runs in 2008 edition
The Asia Cup 2008 was a run-feast tournament held in Pakistan. That is why four out of the top five run-scorers in a single tournament are from that season. Suresh Raina is second on this list. He was India’s highest scorer in 2008, when they ended as runners-up after losing to Pakistan. Raina made 372 runs in six innings, at 74.40 and a strike rate of 110.38. He scored two centuries and two half-centuries, with a best of 116 not out.
1. Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) – 378 runs in 2008 edition
Sri Lanka won the 2008 season, beating India in the final. And it was Sanath Jayasuriya who was one of the prime reasons for that win. He ended the tournament as the top scorer, and that record is still fresh. Jayasuriya scored 378 runs in five innings at an average and strike rate of 75.60 and 126.00, respectively. He scored two centuries and one half-century, including a best of 130.