Top 5 batsmen fastest to 6000 runs in ODI cricket

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record of scoring most runs in ODI cricket.

ODI cricket has become the most batting-friendly format in recent years. The white ball barely swings or seams after the first few overs, and unlike T20s, batsmen are not required to take extensive risks right from the start of their innings.

The two new balls rule introduced in 2011, along with the small boundaries in the modern game, has made things even tougher for bowlers. Throughout its rich history, the game has seen many talented batsmen deliver consistently for their teams. Some of them have even started their career on a good note and carried on that consistency to score runs.

On that note, let’s take a look at the top five batsmen fastest to 6000 runs in ODI cricket.

Top five batsmen fastest to 6000 runs in ODI cricket:

5. David Warner – 139 innings

Former Australian opener David Warner is regarded as one of the greatest openers of the modern era. Known for his fearless approach, Warner reached 6,000 ODI runs in his 139th innings of his ODI career, which came against England in Melbourne in 2022.

Warner marked the special occasion by smashing 106 off 102 balls and helping Australia win the game by 221 runs.

Warner retired from international cricket in 2024 having scored 6932 runs in ODIs at an average of 45.3.

4. Kane Williamson – 139 innings

Known for his legacy in test cricket, Kane Williamson’s batting contributions in ODI cricket are sometimes overlooked in modern-day cricket.

The former New Zealand captain reached the 6,000-run mark in his 139th ODI innings, which was against Australia during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 at the Lord’s in 2019.

Williamson was awarded the Player of the Tournament in ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 for scoring 578 runs in 10 games and guiding New Zealand to the final.

3. Virat Kohli – 136 innings

Considered arguably the greatest batsmen to grace ODI cricket, Virat Kohli reached 6,000 ODI runs in his 136th ODI innings, which was against Sri Lanka in Hyderabad in 2014. Kohli marked the occasion with a match-winning 53 off 61 balls.

He also holds the record of scoring most ODI hundreds with his tally of 50 centuries.

He played a crucial role in India’s 2011 World Cup win, and was the leading run-scorer in the 2023 edition as well.

2. Hashim Amla – 123 innings

Former South Africa opener Hashim Amla was known for his consistency across formats.

Amla reached 6,000 ODI runs in his 123rd innings, which was against India at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai in 2015. Amla scored the third-most ODI runs for South Africa with a tally of 8,113 at an average of 49.46, including 27 centuries.

His highest score in the format – 158 off 128 balls came against Ireland in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

1. Babar Azam – 123 innings

Babar Azam is the joint fastest batsman to score 6,000 runs in ODI cricket, taking 123 innings to reach this milestone. He attained this feat against New Zealand during the final of Pakistan Tri-series 2025 in Karachi.

Babar has second-most centuries for Pakistan with his tally of 19 tons, just behind Saeed Anwar, who had hit 20 ODI tons.

(All stats are updated till February 14th 2025)

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.