Among the various cricket formats, One Day Internationals (ODIs) have a unique charm, combining the endurance of Test cricket with the intensity of T20s. Scoring most ODI runs in a calendar year is no mean feat.
Sachin Tendulkar, often regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, holds the record for the most runs scored in a calendar year in ODIs. In 1998, Tendulkar amassed a phenomenal 1,894 runs, setting a benchmark that remains unbeaten. His record-breaking year included nine centuries and seven half-centuries.
In this article, we take a look at the top 10 batsmen with most runs in ODI cricket in a Calendar year.
Lif of 10 Players with Most Runs in a Calendar Year in ODI
| Player | Year | Mat | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100 | 50 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1998 | 34 | 1894 | 143 | 65.31 | 102.15 | 9 | 7 |
| Sourav Ganguly | 1999 | 41 | 1767 | 183 | 46.50 | 76.00 | 4 | 10 |
| Rahul Dravid | 1999 | 43 | 1761 | 153 | 46.34 | 75.16 | 6 | 8 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1996 | 32 | 1611 | 137 | 53.70 | 82.40 | 6 | 9 |
| Matthew Hayden | 2007 | 32 | 1601 | 181* | 59.29 | 89.19 | 5 | 6 |
| Saeed Anwar | 1996 | 36 | 1595 | 115 | 51.45 | 91.56 | 3 | 10 |
| Shubman Gill | 2023 | 29 | 1584 | 208 | 63.36 | 105.45 | 5 | 9 |
| Sourav Ganguly | 2000 | 32 | 1579 | 144 | 56.39 | 82.75 | 7 | 6 |
| Rohit Sharma | 2019 | 28 | 1490 | 159 | 57.30 | 89.92 | 7 | 6 |
| Martin Guptill | 2015 | 32 | 1489 | 237* | 55.14 | 96.56 | 4 | 8 |
1.Sachin Tendulkar
In 1998, Sachin Tendulkar had an exceptional year in ODIs, scoring a staggering 1,894 runs. Playing 34 matches and batting in 33 innings, he remained not out on four occasions. His highest score for the year was 143 runs, achieved with an average of 65.31.
Tendulkar’s consistency and ability to play long innings were evident, with a strike rate of 102.15, which included nine centuries and seven half-centuries. Notably, he didn’t register a single duck and hit 188 fours and 40 sixes. Among many other records, most runs in a calendar year ODI is one of Tendulkar’s special feats.
Read More: Fastest 1000 Runs in ODI
2. Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly, another stalwart of Indian cricket, had a phenomenal year in 1999. As the captain, he led by example, amassing 1,767 runs in 41 matches. Batting in all 41 innings, he scored four centuries and ten half-centuries, with his highest score being 183.
His average for the year stood at 46.50, and he maintained a strike rate of 76.00. Ganguly’s ability to build innings and his aggressive style were complemented by 183 boundaries and 26 sixes.
3. Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid had a stellar year in 1999, scoring 1,761 runs in 43 matches. Batting in all innings, Dravid remained not out in five of them. His highest score of the year was 153, and he finished with an average of 46.34.
He scored six centuries and eight half-centuries, hitting 164 fours and 12 sixes. Dravid’s consistency and ability to anchor the innings were invaluable for India that year.
4. Sachin Tendulkar
Tendulkar’s masterclass was also evident in 1996, where he accumulated 1,611 runs in 32 matches. Batting in all innings and remaining not out twice, his highest score that year was 137.
Tendulkar’s average was 53.70, and he had a strike rate of 82.40. With six centuries and nine half-centuries, he demonstrated his ability to convert starts into big scores. He hit 163 fours and 17 sixes, making 1996 another memorable year in his illustrious career.
5. Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden, the Australian opening batsman, had an outstanding year in 2007. He scored 1,601 runs in 32 matches, batting in 30 innings and remaining not out thrice. His highest score was an unbeaten 181, with an impressive average of 59.29.
Hayden’s strike rate was 89.19, and he hit five centuries and six half-centuries. His powerful hitting was reflected in the 168 fours and 35 sixes he smashed throughout the year. Hayden’s aggressive approach at the top of the order was crucial to Australia’s success in this period.
Suggested Read: Top 10 Players to Reach Fastest 6000 Runs in ODI
6. Saeed Anwar
Saeed Anwar, one of Pakistan’s greatest openers, had a prolific year in 1996, scoring 1,595 runs in 36 matches. He batted in all innings and remained not out five times. Anwar’s highest score for the year was 115, and he averaged 51.45 with a strike rate of 91.56.
His ability to play both pace and spin with ease was evident, as he hit three centuries and ten half-centuries. Anwar’s 159 fours and 20 sixes highlighted his knack for finding boundaries consistently.
7. Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill, the young Indian sensation, had an extraordinary year in 2023. In just 29 matches, he scored 1,584 runs, batting in all innings and remaining not out four times. His highest score was a double century (208), and he averaged 63.36 with a strike rate of 105.45.
Gill’s five centuries and nine half-centuries were a testament to his immense talent and maturity at a young age. He hit 180 fours and 41 sixes, showcasing his ability to score quickly and dominate bowlers across different conditions.
8. Sourav Ganguly
Ganguly continued his rich vein of form into the year 2000, scoring 1,579 runs in 32 matches. He batted in all innings and remained not out four times, with a highest score of 144.
His average for the year was 56.39, and he maintained a strike rate of 82.75. Ganguly scored seven centuries and six half-centuries, hitting 151 fours and 35 sixes.
9. Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma had a remarkable year in 2019. In 28 matches, he scored 1,490 runs, batting in 27 innings and remaining not out once. His highest score was 159, and he averaged 57.30 with a strike rate of 89.92.
Sharma hit seven centuries and six half-centuries, underlining his ability to score big hundreds. He smashed 146 fours and 36 sixes, making 2019 one of his best years in ODI cricket.
Further Read: Highest Individual Score in ODI
10. Martin Guptill
Martin Guptill, the New Zealand opener, had an incredible year in 2015, scoring 1,489 runs in 32 matches. He batted in all innings and remained not out five times.
His highest score was an unbeaten 237, and he averaged 55.14 with a strike rate of 96.56. Guptill’s four centuries and eight half-centuries were crucial for New Zealand, and he hit 162 fours and 42 sixes.
Conclusion
These top 10 batsmen, each from different eras and backgrounds, have demonstrated extraordinary skill and consistency to score the most runs in a calendar year. The sheer volume of runs, coupled with high strike rates and averages, highlights their dominance in ODI cricket, making them legends of the game.
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FAQs about Most Runs in ODI in a Calendar Year
Q) Who holds the record for most runs in ODI in a calendar year?
A) Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs in ODI cricket in a calendar year. He scored an incredible 1,894 runs in 1998.
Q) Who is the highest run-scorer in ODI cricket history?
A) Sachin Tendulkar is also the highest run-scorer in ODI cricket history. Over his illustrious career, he amassed 18,426 runs.
Q) Who has scored the most runs in T20I in a calendar year?
A) Mohammad Rizwan of Pakistan holds the record for the most runs in T20I cricket in a calendar year. He scored 1,326 runs in 2021.
