5 Fastest Batsmen To Score 6000 ODI Runs (By Innings)

Since its evolution in the ’70s, ODI cricket has been a popular format among cricket fans. Many bowlers have picked numerous wickets in ODIs and many batsmen have also scored a mountain of ODI runs. Although T20I cricket has wide popularity in the current era, ODI matches with 50 overs of play give enough time for players to come up with an outstanding show, whether in bowling or batting.

Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar is the highest run-getter in ODIs with 18,426 runs in 452 innings, followed by ex-Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara with 14,234 runs in 380 innings. Ricky Ponting holds 3rd place with 13,704 runs in 365 innings.

However, if we take a look at the fastest batsmen to score 6000 ODI runs, these highest run-scorers are absent from the list. Here we take a look at the 5 fastest batsmen to score 6000 ODI runs on the basis of innings.

5 Fastest Batsmen To Score 6000 ODI Runs (By Innings)

Viv Richards- 141

Vivian Richards is the 5th batsmen in this list. The former West Indies cricketer took 141 innings to reach 6000 ODI runs. The right-handed batsman scored 18 runs in his 141st innings in an ODI against Pakistan to reach the 6000-run milestone. Till 6000 runs in ODIs, Richards had an average of 50.13 and strike rate of 90.26.

He had also scored 11 centuries and 42 half-centuries during his journey to the milestone. Overall, the former West Indies skipper smashed 6721 runs in 167 innings (187 ODIs) at an average of 47.0 and strike rate of 90.20. He accounts for 45 fifties and 11 hundreds in his ODI career.

Joe Root- 141

Joe Root takes the 4th spot in this list with 141 innings to reach 6000 ODI runs. Recently in an ODI match against Sri Lanka, the England Test skipper scored unbeaten 79 runs to reach 6000 runs in 50-overs cricket. The right-handed batsman has piled up 6041 runs in 141 innings at an average of 50.76 in ODIs.

He also has a decent strike rate of 86.95 and has smacked 16 centuries and 34 half-centuries in ODIs. Root made his ODI debut in January 2013 in a match against India. An unbeaten 133-run knock against Bangladesh is Root’s highest ODI score.

Kane Williamson- 139

Kane Williamson grabs the 3rd spot in this list. The New Zealand cricketer took 139 innings to reach 6000 ODI runs. The 30-year-old reached the milestone with 40 runs against Australia in his 139th innings in June 2019. While reaching the feat, the right-handed batsman had smashed 13 centuries and 38 half-centuries and held an average of 48.06 and strike rate of 82.23.

Currently, the New Zealand skipper accounts for 6173 runs in 144 ODI innings at an average of 47.48 and a strike rate of 81.75. His number of centuries are the same as mentioned above but the fifties in his ODI career have reached 39. Williamson’s highest ODI knock of 148 runs came against West Indies in June 2019.

Virat Kohli- 136

Virat Kohli takes the 2^nd spot in this list as he played 136 innings to reach 6000 ODI runs in his career. The Indian skipper reached the milestone during a match against Sri Lanka in November 2014. Kohli smashed 53 runs in the match. Till 6000 ODI runs, the right-handed batsman had smacked 20 centuries and 32 half-centuries in ODIs at an average of 51.30 and strike rate of 90.01.

Over the years, Kohli’s ODI batting stats have reached more heights. In 246 innings, he accounts for 12,169 runs at an average of 59.07 and a strike rate of 51.30. The 32-year-old has hit 43 centuries and 62 half-centuries so far with the highest knock of 183 runs.

Hashim Amla- 123

Former South African cricketer Hashim Amla steals the top spot in this list. The former Proteas opener took only 123 innings to reach 6000 ODI runs. With 23 runs in his 123rd ODI innings against India in October 2015, the right-handed batsman reached the milestone of 6000 runs. Till then, he accounted for 21 centuries and 28 half-centuries at an average of 52.70 a strike rate of 89.39.

Before his retirement from international cricket in August 2019, Hashim Amla smashed 8113 runs in 178 innings at an average of 49.46 and a strike rate of 88.39. He smashed 27 hundreds and 39 fifties in his career with the highest knock of 159 runs.