One Day Internationals or ODI cricket is still an important format to the players as long as the World Cup is played. When the ODI format started in 1971, batsmen mostly relied on singles, doubles, and fours if they could hit as the boundaries used to be big. ODI cricket’s magnitude may have decreased after the inception of T20 cricket but still, a classy four looks great from a batter’s willow in the ODIs. Nowadays batsmen whack fours easily due to the easiness of the pitch compared to the 90s and early 2000s where wickets would be tricky. So now we will put you through the players with the most fours in ODI Cricket history.
Sachin Tendulkar
The highest run-getter in international cricket, Sachin Tendulkar hit 2016 fours in his 23 years long career, which is the most in ODI history. The classy Mumbai-born batsman used to play all cricket shots but straight-drive and cover drive from his bat was something unique. Sachin ended his illustrious ODI career with 18426 runs and 49 centuries to his name.
Sanath Jayasuriya
The only cricketer to take 300+ wickets and make 10000+ runs in the 50-over format, Srilankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya finds himself in the 2nd place in hitting the most fours in ODI. in the late 90s, the Southpaw demonstrated his rampage bashing with his bottom hand on quality bowling lineups to the world. His pull shots and square cuts were a treat to watch. Having played 445 ODIs, Sanath made 13430 runs, including 1500 fours.
Kumar Sangakkara
The 3rd position on the elite tally of most fours in ODI goes to another Srilankan veteran, Kumar Sangakkara. Sanga’s batting was textbook batting and his cover drive and flick shot will still soothe your eyes. He smacked 1385 fours in his ODI career which helped him to 14234 runs at the end of his career, the 2nd highest run by any batter in One-day cricket.
Ricky Ponting
Australia’s all-time highest run-scorer, Ricky Ponting gets 4th spot on the premium list of most fours in ODI. Featuring 375 games from 1995 to 2012, the charismatic batter creamed 1231 fours and amassed 13704 runs at a fine average of 42.03. Ponting did not only play the pull shots and cover drives elegantly but was also a spin expert.
Virat Kohli
The greatest batter in ODI cricket in the modern era, Virat Kohli is featured in the 5th place on this list. Kohli possesses class, perseverance, and technique in his batting, aiding him to hammer 1221 fours so far in his journey. The Delhite performs consistently in the format with ease, averaging 57.38 with 13027 runs. The whole world stops and watches Kohli playing when he bats, especially his cover drives.
List of Players with Most Fours in ODI Cricket
| Player | Matches | Innings | Fours |
| S Tendulkar (IND) | 463 | 452 | 2016 |
| S Jayasuriya (SL) | 445 | 433 | 1500 |
| K Sangakkara (SL) | 404 | 380 | 1385 |
| R Ponting (AUS) | 375 | 365 | 1231 |
| V Kohli (IND) | 280 | 268 | 1221 |
| A Gilchrist (AUS) | 287 | 279 | 1162 |
| V Sehwag (IND) | 251 | 245 | 1132 |
| C Gayle (WI) | 301 | 294 | 1128 |
| S Ganguly (IND) | 311 | 300 | 1122 |
| M Jayawardene (SL) | 448 | 418 | 1119 |
| T Dilshan (SL) | 330 | 303 | 1119 |
Sachin Tendulkar hit the most fours in ODI (2016).
Virat Kohli has the most fours in ODI among active players (1221).
Senior Cricket Content Editor at Skyblogs Cricket.
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