Cricket has had some of the greatest batters in sporting history however not many have been able to show outrageous consistency through Test cricket, One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20Is). Aggregate together the runs from all three formats and one name rubs shoulders above all others — Sachin Tendulkar.
Sachin Tendulkar’s 34,357 international runs is the aggregate in men’s international cricket. He amassed 15,921 Test runs, 18,426 ODI runs and 10 T20I runs during his career. His phenomenal tally is a recognized world record by both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Guinness World Records.
But it has now become the most fascinating contest for the next positions, especially since Virat Kohli moved into second spot in January 2026, passing Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara.
Most Runs in International Cricket in All Formats
The following table highlights some of the leading run-scorers in men’s international cricket across Tests, ODIs and T20Is:
| Rank | Player | Country | International Runs |
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 34,357 |
| 2 | Virat Kohli | India | 28,678 |
| 3 | Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 28,016 |
| 4 | Ricky Ponting | Australia | 27,483 |
| 5 | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 25,957 |
| 6 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 25,534 |
| 7 | Rahul Dravid | India | 24,208 |
| 8 | Brian Lara | West Indies | 22,358 |
| 9 | Joe Root | England | 22,899 |
| 10 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | 21,032 |
Sachin Tendulkar – 34,357 Runs
Sachin Tendulkar is the all-format highest run-scorer ever in international cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar played for India from 1989 to 2013 and ended up with a total of 34,357 international runs. His career includes 15,921 runs in Tests, 18,426 in ODIs and 10 in his only T20 International.
He had a more vivid record considering he represented international cricket for over two decades. Tendulkar also became the first and to date only player to score 100 international centuries — 51 in Tests and 49 ODIs.
His overall record is very hard to beat due to the fact that he remains the highest-ever run-scorer in individual Test and ODI cricket.
Virat Kohli: The Newest Run-Maker in India
Virat Kohli is regarded as the nearest current contender against Tendulkar’s all-format record.
Kohli also became the second-highest run-scorer in men’s international cricket in January 2026, surpassing Kumar Sangakkara. He reached the milestone during the India vs New Zealand ODI in Vadodara. ICC ranked Kohli at 28,068 runs just above Sangakkara’s total of 28,016 as of that point.
This is particularly notable as Kohli’s span of career includes all formats of the three modern international games. In fact, he has been one of the most successful batsmen for India in Tests and ODIs.
Kohli, unlike Tendulkar, has also had the advantage of playing a substantial amount of T20I cricket — an international format that only took off after Kohli’s early years — which not only exists now but was never even on the horizon during most of Tendulkar’s career.
Kumar Sangakkara – 28,016 Runs
Kumar Sangakkara finished his international career with 28,016 runs as he announced retirement from ODI cricket on 21 August 2015 and from T20I cricket on 23 April 2016.
Career statistics also show that the classy left hander was phenomenal in Tests and ODIs and even added 1,382 T20I runs.
For long years sangakkara had been on second place of all time international run scorer’s list. The good news for Kohli is that he still played ODIs, and by 2026, had passed Sri Lanka’s great.
He was a combination of technique, consistency and longevity that made him one of the greatest-ever batters from Sri Lanka.
Ricky Ponting – 27,483 Runs
Fourth on the all-time list is Australian legend Ricky Ponting who scored 27,483 international runs.
Ponting amassed 13,378 runs in Tests and 13,704 in ODIs with a total of 401 T20I runs.
He was also one of Australia’s most successful Test captains. Ponting obtaining several World Cup victories sandwiched in between the Australian team years of dominance.
His ability to translate that performance against the best bowling attics across all countries cemented his status as one of the greatest batsmen of his generation.
Mahela Jayawardene – 25,957 Runs
Is another Sri Lankan great, Mahela Jayawardene, who scored 25,957 runs in international cricket.
His career has revolved around wiping the floor clean in Test and ODI cricket. Jayawardene remains the holder of 11,814 Test runs and 12,650 ODI runs with contributions in T20Is too.
He was especially remembered for his classic stroke play and playing big innings Sangakkara was joined by Jayawardene, who helped put Sri Lanka’s batting on strong footing for years.
Read More: Most Runs in ODI Cricket | Yastika Bhatia
Jacques Kallis – 25,534 Runs
One of the most complete cricketers in history, Jacques Kallis from South Africa.
Kallis accumulated 25,534 runs globally and also played a major role with the ball. Test: 13289 – ODI: 11579
Unlike a lot of players on this list, only one skillset defined Kallis: his all-round ability. He won matches with bat and ball, the value of his contribution to South African cricket was immeasurable.
Rahul Dravid – 24,208 Runs
Rahul Dravid, aka “The Wall end up 24208 runs in his international career.
His biggest contributions came in Test cricket where he amassed 13,288 runs under his belt. He also scored 10,889 runs in ODIs.
And it was his technique, temperament and capability of batting for long durations that turned out to be beneficial in making him one of India’s greatest Test batters. In ODI format too, he was a vital cog in India’s success in the 2000s.
Brian Lara – 22,358 Runs
West Indies legend Brian Lara has 22,358 international runs to his name.
Post her career, Lara ended up scoring 11,953 runs in Tests and 10,405 runs in ODIs.
He is known not only for his career aggregate but also extraordinary individual performances. Another destructive left-handed dynamo, he could bend bowling attacks and score provides that such a long lasting edge.
Why Is Scoring 30,000 International Runs So Difficult ?
Kohli is not a one-trick pony and scoring runs in all formats of international cricket takes more than just the ability to bat.
It requires an athlete’s base of longevity, fitness and consistency along with the ability to tackle different challenges in different conditions. Test cricket is not a game of aggression; it is about playing hours of balls and having the concentration and technique to do so, while ODIs are more about patience combined with some domination or controlled exuberance. As for T20Is, you need to score quickly and adapt regularly.
That makes Tendulkar’s record especially tough due to the length of time he performed at an elite level, spanning 24 years. ICC acknowledges that he played a total of 664 international matches, and his total aggregate of 34,357 runs remains one of the most remarkable records in cricket.
Can Virat Kohli Break Sachin Tendulkar’s Record?
This is perhaps the most pressing question of the modern international game.
Kohli have moved to 2nd spot already and also still playing ODI cricket. However, Tendulkar’s lead remains substantial. When Kohli overtook Sangakkara in January 2026, ICC had him at 28,068 runs – over 6,000 behind Tendulkar.
How many matches India plays and the length of his international career will determine closing that gap. Nevertheless, he has cemented himself within the top Run scorers of all time already in his career.
Final Thoughts
It is, at its core, a story of incredible levels in all aspects or combinations of stamina and longevity.
Sachin Tendulkar’s 34,357 runs remain as the benchmark. His decorated career consisted of 15,921 Test runs, 18,426 ODI runs, 10 T20 International runs and 100 international hundreds.
Virat Kohli, Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting, Mahela Jayawardene and Jacques Kallis all have had astonishing careers behind him. This shift for Kohli into second happened also to stir a new chapter in the record books — and provides much intrigue for years to come.
These numbers are much more than mere statistics for the cricket lovers. Released in the wake of years of travel, pressure, injuries but even different generations and styles of cricket. Well that is why it remains one of the pinnacle achievements for a batter to reach the top of all-format international run charts because you are coached on data till October 2023.
At present, Sachin Tendulkar still sits atop the throne when it comes to 34,357 international runs — a record that continues to set the mark for batting excellence over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who has scored the most runs in international cricket in all formats?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most international runs across all three formats. He scored 34,357 runs for India in Tests, ODIs and T20Is combined.
2. Who is the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket?
Virat Kohli is currently the second-highest run-scorer in men’s international cricket. He surpassed Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara in January 2026.
3. How many international runs did Sachin Tendulkar score?
Sachin Tendulkar scored 34,357 international runs during his career. His total includes 15,921 Test runs, 18,426 ODI runs and 10 T20I runs.
4. Can Virat Kohli break Sachin Tendulkar’s international run record?
Virat Kohli has a chance to reduce the gap, particularly through ODI cricket. However, Tendulkar’s record of 34,357 runs is still significantly ahead, so Kohli would need several more productive years of international cricket to surpass it.
5. Which player has scored the most international centuries?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most international centuries, with 100 centuries — 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs. He remains the only men’s cricketer to reach the landmark of 100 international centuries.
