The ODI format was the first big revolutionary step in the game. It is this format that originally started tilting the game in the batsmen’s favour. The introduction of floodlights and the white ball spiced up the game even more. Batters dominated for the major part of three decades. It is during this phase that several ODI batting greats emerged. They went on to be synonymous with the format. It is the longevity though that is the hallmark of a true batting great.
We look at the 5 fastest batters to touch the 7000 ODI runs mark:
#5 Rohit Sharma – 181 innings
In the annals of ODI cricket, there is little doubt that Rohit Sharma would be among the top two openers. His career took an absolute upswing once he was slotted in as an opener in 2013. Sharma took the opportunity with both hands. He is the only batsman in ODI history to notch 3 double-hundreds. Sharma also holds the record for the highest ODI score (264). He touched the 7000 runs mark in ODI in his 181st innings in September 2018.
#4 Sourav Ganguly – 174 innings
He is an underrated ODI great. Sourav Ganguly’s best format as a batter was the ODIs. He came into his own especially in 2000 when he smashed 9 centuries. Ganguly was an integral part of three World Cups. He effortlessly pierced the field during the first 15 overs. Ganguly formed a formidable pair with Sachin Tendulkar at the top. There are plenty of records that the little master holds but this is one record where Ganguly has beaten him to the post. He reached the landmark in 174 innings in October 2001.
#3 AB de Villiers – 166 innings
He was an absolute freak of nature. AB de Villiers was at his imperial best in the ODIs though. He showcased his potential in the 2007 ODI World Cup scoring his maiden World Cup century. ABD holds the record for smashing the fastest 50, 100, and 150 in ODIs. He remains the only batsman to score a century after walking in the 39th over or later. ABD’s specialty was his ability to match consistency with his genius. He breached the 7000 runs mark in his 166th innings in November 2014.
#2 Virat Kohli – 161 innings
There could hardly be an ODI record that doesn’t feature Virat Kohli. He is easily among the best ODI players of all time. Virat Kohli made his debut in 2008. It took him a year to score his first ODI century in 2009. Kohli’s breakthrough year though came in 2010. He has been an ODI behemoth ever since. Kohli during the phase between 2018 and 2019 was batting on a completely different plane. He touched the 7000 run mark in just 161 innings in January 2016.
#1 Hashim Amla – 150 innings
There was a phase in ODI cricket when every record that Kohli had created Hashim Amla tended to break. It was a rivalry that played out in the most silent of manners. Amla the ever so soft-spoken cricketer let his bat do the talking. He still holds the record for being the fastest to touch the 7000 run mark in ODIs. Amla just needed 150 innings to reach the milestone. He is 11 clear of the second-best on this list.
