In this article, we are going to take a look at 10 batsmen who were the fastest to reach 10000 runs in ODI cricket, including the number of innings and matches they needed to achieve the feat. Virat Kohli, who accomplished the feat in 205 innings, leads the pack that includes four other Indian players.
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1. Virat Kohli (India)
Kohli made his ODI debut on 18 August 2008 and reached 10000 ODI runs on 24 October 2018 during his 205th innings in his 213th ODI in Vishakhapatnam in the 2nd match of a series on the West Indies’ tour of India. Batting at number three, Kohli scored an unbeaten 157 off 129 runs with 13 fours and 4 sixes to help India to a score of 321/6. The match ended in a tie with the West Indies reaching an identical score.
2. Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Tendulkar, who played his debut ODI game on 18 December 1989, achieved his 10000th run on 31 March 2001 during his 259th innings in his 266th ODI in Indore in the 3rd match of a series on Australia’s tour of India. Opening the innings with Saurav Ganguly, Tendulkar scored 139. He was involved in a partnership of 199 with VVS Laxman as he helped India to a score of 299/8. In reply, Australia were bowled out for 181, making India the winners by 118 runs.
3. Sourav Ganguly (India)
Ganguly, who played his first ODI match on 11 January 1992, got to 10000 ODI runs on 3 August 2005 during his 263rd innings in his 272nd ODI in Dambulla in the 4th match of a series on India’s tour of Sri Lanka. The visitors batted first and scored 220/8, riding on Ganguly’s innings of 51. Saurav shared an opening stand of 67 with Sehwag and a 2nd-wicket partnership of 50 with VVS Laxman. Sadly for Ganguly and India, his effort went in vain as Sri Lanka chased down the target with 4 wickets and 12 balls to spare.
4. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Ponting, who began his ODI career on 15 February 1995, scored his 10000th run on 24 March 2007 during his 266th innings in his 272nd match in Basseterre in a group match of the ICC World Cup hosted by the West Indies. Batting at number three, Ponting scored 91 off 91 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes. He was involved in a 161-run partnership with Michael Clarke to help Australia to a score of 377/6. Replying, South Africa were bowled out for 294 in 48 overs, paving the way for Australia to record an 83-run victory.
5. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Kallis, who began his ODI career on 9 January 1996, scored his 10000th run on 23 January 2009 during his 272nd innings in his 286th ODI in Sydney in the 3rd match of a series on South Africa’s tour of Australia. The hosts batted first and scored 269 runs. Batting at number three, Kallis scored 60 off 72 balls with five fours, to lead the chase. He shared a 96-run partnership with Herschelle Gibbs and when he was out, the scorecard read 163/5 in 28.2 overs, paving the way for a three-wicket South African victory in 46.3 overs.
6. MS Dhoni (India)
Dhoni played his first ODI on 23 December 2004. He got his 10000th run during his 273rd innings in his 320th match held on 14 July 2018 at Lord’s against England, the 2nd ODI of a series on India’s tour of England. The hosts batted first and scored 322/7. Coming to the crease at the fall of Virat Kohli’s wicket with the scoreboard reading 140/4, Dhoni scored 37 off 59 balls with two fours and was finally out at 215/8 in the 47th over. Unfortunately, India were bowled out for 236, making England winners of the game by 86 runs.
7. Brian Lara (West Indies)
Lara began his ODI career on 9 November 1990. His 10000th run came on 16 December 2006 during his 278th innings in his 287th game in Karachi in the 5th match of a series on the West Indies tour of Pakistan. Batting at number five, Lara scored 44 off 55 balls with two fours and shared a partnership of 51 runs with Marlon Samuels to help the tourists to a score of 238/7. Sadly for Lara and the West Indies, Pakistan chased down the target with 7 wickets and 19 balls to spare.
8. Chris Gayle (West Indies)
Gayle who debuted on 11 September 1999 achieved his 10000th ODI run on 27 February 2019 during his 282nd innings in his 288th ODI in St George’s, the second match of a series on England’s tour of the West Indies. The visitors batted first and scored 418/6. Opening the innings, Gayle shared stands of 176 for the 3rd wicket with Darren Bravo and 69 for the 5th wicket with Jason Holder in an innings of 162 off 97 balls with 11 fours and 16 sixes. Unfortunately for Gayle and despite his brilliant innings, the West Indies were bowled out for 389 in 48 overs, falling tantalisingly short of the target.
9. Rahul Dravid (India)
Dravid played his first ODI on 3 April 1996 and accomplished his 10000th run on 14 February 2007 during his 287th innings and his 309th match held in Margao, the 3rd match of a series against the touring Sri Lankans. Batting first, the visitors posted a score of 230/8. Riding on Dravid’s knock of 66 off 82 balls with 4 fours and a six, India won the match with 5 wickets and 27 balls to spare.
10. TM Dilshan (Sri Lanka)
Dilshan, who began his ODI career on 11 December 1999, achieved his 10000th run on 26 July 2015 during his 293rd innings in his 319th match which was the 5th match of a series on Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka played in Hambantota. Opening the innings, Dilshan made 62 off 70 balls with 6 fours and shared a first-wicket partnership of 164 with Kusal Perera to help Sri Lanka to a first-innings score of 368/4. In reply, Pakistan were bowled out for 203, allowing the hosts to register a 165-run victory.
| Sl No | Year | Player | Matches | Innings | Country |
| 1 | 2018 | Virat Kohli | 213 | 205 | India |
| 2 | 2001 | Sachin Tendulkar | 266 | 259 | India |
| 3 | 2005 | Sourav Ganguly | 272 | 263 | India |
| 4 | 2007 | Ricky Ponting | 272 | 266 | Australia |
| 5 | 2009 | Jacques Kallis | 286 | 272 | South Africa |
| 6 | 2018 | MS Dhoni | 320 | 273 | India |
| 7 | 2006 | Brain Lara | 287 | 278 | West Indies |
| 8 | 2019 | Chris Gayle | 288 | 282 | West Indies |
| 9 | 2007 | Rahul Dravid | 309 | 287 | India |
| 10 | 2015 | TM Dilshan | 319 | 293 | Sri Lanka |
*Updated on 09 Aug 2019