Top five batsmen with most runs at No. 3 in ODI Cricket
Ricky Ponting is in the lead, but Virat Kohli is less than 100 runs away from displacing the Aussie.
The No. 3 batting position in ODI Cricket is often regarded as the most demanding and influential role in the lineup, serving as the bridge between the openers and the middle order.
A No. 3 batter must be technically sound to handle the new ball if an early wicket falls, yet adaptable enough to build long innings, control the tempo through the middle overs, and accelerate decisively when required.
This position rewards consistency, game awareness, and mental toughness, which is why many of the format’s greatest batters have built their legacies at No. 3, shaping matches and defining eras through reliability and match-winning impact.
Here we take a look at the five batsmen who have dominated this position and created a special place for themselves in ODI history.
Batsmen with the most runs at No. 3 in ODIs
5. Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 6,504 runs
Kane Williamson has been a rock at No. 3 for New Zealand in ODIs, amassing 6,504 runs in this position with an impressive average of around 51.61 and a strike rate of 82.03, scoring 13 centuries and 44 half-centuries across 140 innings.
His elegant technique and composure under pressure make him one of the most reliable anchors in the format, blending classical strokeplay with the ability to accelerate when needed.
Among his standout big innings are his career-best ODI score of 148 (off 154 balls) against the West Indies during the 2019 World Cup in Manchester.
He also delivered an unbeaten 145* (off 136 balls) against South Africa in Kimberley back in 2013, with the help of 17 boundaries and a six, and more recently, a commanding 133* (off 113 balls) against the same opponents in 2025.
4. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 7,774
Jacques Kallis solidified his status as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, making 7,774 runs across 200 innings with a solid average of 45.72 and a strike rate of 73.74.
Kallis’ standout performances at No. 3 include a match-winning 139 (off 142 balls) against West Indies in Johannesburg in February 2004, and an unbeaten 119* (off 160 balls) against India in Durban in November 2006.
A composed 111 (off 140 balls) versus New Zealand in Perth in January 1998, and a fluent 107 (off 133 balls) against England at The Oval in June 2003.
3. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 9,747 runs
Kumar Sangakkara is one of ODI cricket’s finest No. 3s, boasting 9,747 runs in 238 innings at an average of 44.71 and a strike rate of 80.50, perfectly suited to the era he dominated.
He produced several defining knocks at the position, highlighted by a career-best 169 against South Africa in Colombo in 2013, an unbeaten 134 versus England in the Champions Trophy semi-final the same year, 133 against India in Hambantota in 2012, and a match-winning 113 not out against New Zealand in Wellington in 2015.
2. Virat Kohli (India) – 12,529 runs
Virat Kohli has defined the modern gold standard for the No. 3 position in ODI cricket. After his latest knock of 23 off 29 balls against New Zealand, his tally now stands at 12,552 runs in 266 innings, with his average marginally adjusting to around 60.1 and his strike rate to about 93.4, figures that still firmly underline his dominance across conditions and eras.
Blending classical technique with controlled aggression, Kohli produced a series of iconic innings from this slot, headlined by the legendary 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup, and another 183 versus Australia in Nagpur in 2019.
A match-winning 166 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2012, a composed 138 against South Africa in Centurion in 2018, and a flawless, unbeaten 183 against West Indies in Visakhapatnam in 2011 during a high-pressure chase.
With 37 centuries and 58 half-centuries at No. 3, the most by any player in ODI history, and sustained dominance against teams like Australia, Sri Lanka, and West Indies, Kohli’s achieved the tag of chase-master for his repeated heroics.
1. Ricky Ponting (Australia) -12,662 runs
Ricky Ponting stands as the most prolific No. 3 batter in ODI history, piling up 12,662 runs in 330 innings at an average of 42.48 and a strike rate of 80.73, perfectly balancing control with aggression in a comparatively restrained era.
Renowned for his ferocious pull shot, crisp driving, and ability to shift gears under pressure, Ponting delivered defining innings at the position.
Notably, 164 off 105 balls against South Africa in the iconic 438 chase in Johannesburg in 2006, an unbeaten 141 versus New Zealand in Napier in 2005, and the commanding 140 not out against India in the 2003 World Cup final.
Overall, he amassed 29 centuries and 74 half-centuries at No. 3, with repeated dominance against India, New Zealand, and England, anchoring Australia’s golden era with unmatched consistency, authority, and big match temperament.
Who is the most successful No. 3 batter in ODI history?
Ricky Ponting holds the record for most runs at No. 3 in ODIs, reflecting his longevity, consistency, and impact for Australia.
Why is the No. 3 position so important in ODIs?
No. 3 batters often face both the new ball and middle-overs bowling, requiring them to stabilize early collapses and later accelerate, making the role tactically critical.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.