Top 5 cricketers fastest to reach 13,000 ODI runs

5 cricketers who have been the fastest to reach the 13000 ODI runs mark.

Every cricketer's dream is to represent their nation at the highest level of the game. However, only a select handful of them are allowed the chance to represent their nation abroad. So appearing and playing for a long time are two entirely different things.

Only 14 cricketers have surpassed the 13,000 run mark in the One-Day International (ODI) format, while only five have surpassed the 13,000 run barrier. Who among the five achieves it in the fewest number of innings? The best cricketers to accomplish this feat throughout their careers are represented on the list.

Here are the top 5 cricketers who are fastest to reach 13,000 ODI runs:

5. Sanath Jayasuriya (416 Innings):

The batter who altered the way Sri Lanka plays was one of the best cricketers Sri Lanka has ever produced. Sanath Jayasuriya was well-known for his distinct brand of competitive cricket, in which he loved to overpower the opposing bowlers. With 13,430 runs in 433 innings, Jayasuriya is the fifth-highest scorer in ODI cricket. He played 416 innings and scored 13,000 runs.

4. Kumar Sangakkara (363 Innings):

The fourth-fastest player on the list is the former captain of Sri Lanka, Kumar Sangakkara. The wicket-keeper batsman is among the best the game has ever seen and also retired as the second-highest runs scorer in ODI cricket. He played his first ODI in Galle against Pakistan. He played 404 ODIs during the course of his career and scored 14,234 total runs at an average of 41.98, with 25 centuries and 93 half-centuries. He managed to score 13,000 runs in just 363 innings.

3. Ricky Ponting (341 Innings):

Next up is a former Australian World Cup champion captain who guided his nation to victory in 2003 and 2007. In ODI cricket history, Ricky Ponting has scored the third-most runs and the most runs for his nation. In total, he has played in 375 ODIs. Ponting scored 30, centuries, and 82 half-centuries for a total of 13,704 runs in 365 innings at an average of 42.03. He needed 341 innings to accumulate 13,000 ODI runs.

2. Sachin Tendulkar (321 Innings):

When it comes to scoring runs, only a few cricketers can match the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. He is the top player in cricket, having played the most games, scored the most runs, and scored the most centuries. With his ODI debut against Pakistan in December 1989, Sachin began a remarkable 23-year career. He scored an astounding 18,426 runs at an incredible average of 44.83 over 463 ODIs. The 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries in Sachin's record attest to his reliability and skill. In addition, he set a stunning record by scoring 13,000 ODI runs in only 321 innings, cementing his status as one of cricket's all-time greats.

1. Virat Kohli (267 Innings):

Finally, leading the pack is Virat Kohli, who achieved the remarkable feat of reaching 13,000 ODI runs in just 267 innings. This achievement is made all the more impressive by the fact that he accomplished it in a match against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023, where he also scored his 47th ODI century. Kohli's consistency and incredible batting abilities have solidified his status as one of the modern greats of ODI cricket. With numerous records to his name, Kohli's became the fastest to 13,000 runs. Kohli made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2008.