In the world of cricket, reaching milestones is a significant achievement for any player. For batters, one of the most prestigious milestones is scoring 4,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs). While many have reached this landmark, only a select few have done it in record time. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the batters who have scored the fastest 4,000 runs in ODI history.
The Top 5 Fastest to 4,000 ODI Runs
Here are the five batters who reached the 4,000-run mark in ODIs in the fewest innings:
| Player | Country | Innings | Year Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hashim Amla | South Africa | 81 | 2013 |
| Babar Azam | Pakistan | 82 | 2022 |
| Viv Richards | West Indies | 88 | 1985 |
| Shai Hope | West Indies | 88 | 2022 |
| Joe Root | England | 91 | 2017 |
Let’s take a closer look at each of these incredible batters and their journey to 4,000 ODI runs.
1. Hashim Amla (South Africa) – 81 innings
Hashim Amla, the stylish South African opener, holds the record for being the fastest to reach 4,000 ODI runs. He achieved this feat in just 81 innings, breaking the long-standing record held by West Indian great Viv Richards.
Amla made his ODI debut in 2008 and quickly established himself as one of the most consistent batters in the format. His elegant stroke-play and ability to score runs all around the wicket made him a delight to watch.
The moment of glory came in 2013 during an ODI against India in Durban. Amla scored a brilliant century in that match, becoming the fastest to 4,000 ODI runs in the process. He went on to score 8,113 runs in 181 ODIs at an impressive average of 49.46, including 27 centuries and 39 half-centuries.
2. Babar Azam (Pakistan) – 82 innings
Pakistan’s modern-day batting superstar Babar Azam is next on the list, reaching the 4,000-run mark in just 82 innings. Azam made his ODI debut in 2015 and has been a run-machine for Pakistan ever since.
Known for his elegant stroke-play and ability to score runs consistently, Azam has taken the cricketing world by storm. He reached the 4,000-run milestone in March 2022 during an ODI against Australia, surpassing Viv Richards to become the second-fastest to the landmark.
As of July 2024, Azam has scored 5,729 runs in 117 ODIs at an incredible average of 56.72, including 19 centuries and 32 half-centuries. He is well on his way to becoming one of the all-time greats of Pakistan cricket.
3. Viv Richards (West Indies) – 88 innings
Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards, popularly known as Viv Richards, is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in the history of cricket. His attacking style of play and ability to dominate bowlers made him a fan favorite.
Richards held the record for being the fastest to 4,000 ODI runs for a long time, achieving the feat in just 88 innings. He made his ODI debut in 1975 and went on to score 6,721 runs in 187 ODIs at an average of 47.00, including 11 centuries and 45 half-centuries.
Richards’ aggressive approach to batting changed the way ODI cricket was played and inspired generations of cricketers who followed. His record for the fastest to 4,000 ODI runs stood for more than two decades before being broken by Hashim Amla in 2013.
4. Shai Hope (West Indies) – 88 innings
Shai Hope, the stylish West Indian wicket-keeper batter, is the joint third-fastest to reach 4,000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in 88 innings, the same as his legendary compatriot Viv Richards.
Hope made his ODI debut in 2016 and has been a consistent performer for the West Indies in the format. He reached the 4,000-run milestone in July 2022 during an ODI against India.
As of July 2024, Hope has scored 4,559 runs in 104 ODIs at an average of 50.65, including 13 centuries and 20 half-centuries. He is one of the key members of the West Indian ODI team and has a bright future ahead of him.
5. Joe Root (England) – 91 innings
Joe Root, the former England Test captain and one of the most prolific batters in modern-day cricket, is fifth on the list of fastest to 4,000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in 91 innings.
Root made his ODI debut in 2013 and has been a consistent performer for England in the format. He reached the 4,000-run milestone in September 2017 during an ODI against the West Indies.
As of July 2024, Root has scored 6,207 runs in 158 ODIs at an average of 51.28, including 16 centuries and 35 half-centuries. He is one of the most important members of the England ODI team and has played a key role in their success in recent years.
Other Notable Mentions
While the top five fastest to 4,000 ODI runs are indeed special, there are a few other batters who deserve a mention for their incredible achievements. Here are a few of them:
- Virat Kohli (India) – Kohli is one of the greatest batters of the modern era and reached the 4,000-run mark in just 93 innings. He has scored 12,898 runs in 268 ODIs at an incredible average of 57.32, including 46 centuries and 65 half-centuries.
- David Warner (Australia) – Warner is one of the most destructive openers in ODI cricket and reached the 4,000-run mark in 93 innings, the same as Virat Kohli. He has scored 6,007 runs in 141 ODIs at an average of 45.16, including 18 centuries and 27 half-centuries.
- Quinton de Kock (South Africa) – De Kock is one of the most exciting wicket-keeper batters in world cricket and reached the 4,000-run mark in just 94 innings. He has scored 5,692 runs in 137 ODIs at an average of 45.53, including 17 centuries and 28 half-centuries.
The Importance of Consistency
Reaching the 4,000-run mark in ODIs is a significant achievement, but what sets the fastest to the milestone apart is their consistency. These batters have not only scored runs but have done so at an incredible rate, maintaining a high average throughout their careers.
Consistency is key in ODI cricket, where batters often have to adapt to different conditions and situations. The ability to score runs consistently, regardless of the opposition or the conditions, is what separates the great batters from the good ones.
The batters on this list have not only scored runs consistently but have also done so under pressure, often playing match-winning innings for their teams. They have set the benchmark for the next generation of cricketers to follow and have inspired countless young cricketers around the world.
Conclusion
Scoring 4,000 runs in ODI cricket is a significant achievement, but doing so in record time is a feat that only a select few have managed. The batters on this list have not only reached the milestone quickly but have also done so with incredible consistency, cementing their place in the annals of cricketing history.
From Hashim Amla’s elegance to Viv Richards’ aggression, these batters have entertained fans around the world with their incredible skills and have set the standard for the next generation of cricketers to follow.
As we look forward to the future of ODI cricket, it will be interesting to see who among the current crop of batters can break into this elite list and etch their name in cricketing history. One thing is for sure, though – the record for the fastest to 4,000 ODI runs will continue to be one of the most prestigious milestones in the sport, and the batters who achieve it will be remembered as some of the greatest to have ever played the game.
