Most Runs in ODI as Captain

Leading a national side is always a matter of pride for any individual. Leading from the front is what a captain does, he/she has to make strategies for the team in order to win along with playing his/her role (batting/bowling or both). Whether it is a bowling change, batting change, or fielding change, the captain is responsible for everything. The leaders must face the wrath for the team’s defeat, whether they receive compliments for the team’s excellent performance. There have been some captains, who have led their respective nations well and their tremendous batting performances. Let’s have a look at the list of most runs in ODI as Captain. 

Ricky Ponting

Former Australian Captain Ricky Ponting is on the top of the list of the most runs as a captain in ODIs with 8497 runs in 230 matches. His batting average was 42.91, while 83.41 was the strike rate during his captaincy period. Ponting smacked 22 hundred and 51 half-centuries as skipper for Australia. The Aussie legend also holds the record of winning the highest number of matches in ODI (165 out of 230). 140 runs off 121 balls in the final of the 2003 World Cup is the best knock of his ODI career. 

MS Dhoni

The only captain to win three different ICC trophies (World Cup, T20 World Cup & Champions Trophy), MS Dhoni has scored the 2nd most runs in ODI cricket as captain. He notched up 6641 runs in 200 ODIs (172 innings) with an incredible average of 53.56, which is 2nd best among skippers. Dhoni’s 47 half-centuries as captain, is the 2nd most by a skipper in One Day Internationals. The Cricket fraternity regards MS Dhoni as the best finisher of all time, who doesn’t remember his 91* off just 79 deliveries against Srilanka in the finals of the 2011 World Cup. 

Stephen Fleming 

Ex-Kiwi ace batsman Stephen Fleming comes at the 3rd position on the chart of the most runs in the ODI format as captain, with 6295 runs in 218 matches (208 innings). With a decent average of 32.79, the southpaw had seven centuries and thirty-eight half-centuries. Fleming is the 2nd most capped skipper in ODI cricket. New Zealand won the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy under his leadership. 

Arjuna Ranatunga

The best Sri Lankan skipper in ODI cricket, Arjuna Ranatunga made it to the list being in the 4th position with 5608 runs in 192 matches (183 innings). In the tough batting era of the 90s, he averaged 37.64 in the 50-over format. Ranatunga scored his career-best 131* off 152 balls in ODIs against India in 1997. He led Sri Lanka to their maiden World Cup victory in 1996.

Virat Kohli

One of the batsmen of the current era, Virat Kohli stands in 5th place on the list of the most runs as captain in ODIs, with 5449 runs in 95 matches (91 innings). Kohli’s average of 72.65 is the highest by any skipper in the history of ODI cricket. Scoring century is Virat’s hobby in international cricket, so he has smashed 21 centuries so far as captain in the format, which is the 2nd most. He has won 65 matches out of 95 ODIs for India as of March 2021.

List of Players With The Most Runs In ODI As Captain

Player	Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	50s	100s
Ricky Ponting (AUS)	230	220	8497	42.91	164	51	22
MS Dhoni (IND)	200	172	6641	53.56	139*	47	06
Stephen Fleming (NZ)	218	208	6295	32.79	134*	38	07
Arjuna Ranatunga (SL)	193	183	5608	37.64	131*	37	04
Virat Kohli (IND)	95	91	5449	72.65	160*	27	21
Graeme Smith (SA)	150	148	5416	38.96	141	37	08
Mohammad Azaharuddin (IND)	175	163	5243	39.13	153*	37	04