In the ongoing decade, Babar Azam has emerged as the most prolific run-scorer in international cricket, leading the charts with 8,093 runs across formats. The Pakistan skipper has been closely followed by his teammate Mohammad Rizwan, with England’s Joe Root, India’s Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma rounding out the top five. Here’s a look at how each player has contributed across formats.
Babar Azam: The decade’s batting maestro
Babar Azam has been the most consistent batter of the decade, amassing 8,093 runs in 199 innings. His dominance spans all formats, with his ability to anchor innings in ODIs and Tests while also being an attacking force in T20Is. As Pakistan’s batting mainstay, Babar has scored runs against top opposition, maintaining a strong average across formats. Since 2020, he has scored 8 centuries in the one-day format.
Mohammad Rizwan: Pakistan’s T20 specialist with all-format brilliance
Mohammad Rizwan has been a revelation, particularly in T20 cricket, where he has set new benchmarks with his consistency at the top. With 7,159 runs in 188 innings, Rizwan has shown his adaptability in ODIs and Tests as well, often playing match-defining knocks. His resilience and ability to bat deep have been crucial for Pakistan in recent years.
Joe Root: England’s Test cricket pillar
Joe Root, with 6,616 runs in just 145 innings, has been the backbone of England’s batting, particularly in Tests. His ability to play long innings and counter different bowling attacks has made him a key figure in England’s red-ball resurgence. Since 2020, Root has scored 19 centuries in the longest format of the game. While he has contributed in limited-overs cricket, Root’s dominance in Tests remains his standout feature.
Virat Kohli: The all-format icon
Virat Kohli, despite a brief slump, continues to be a run-machine with 6,155 runs in 173 innings. His aggressive stroke play and ability to chase targets have made him a crucial player for India. Kohli has remained a force in ODIs and Tests, while his T20 performances have also been impactful, particularly in ICC tournaments, including the 2023 ODI World Cup, 2024 T20I World Cup win and the latest Champions Trophy triumph.
Rohit Sharma: The explosive leader
Rohit Sharma has amassed 5,982 runs in 169 innings, excelling as an opener across all formats. His ability to play marathon ODI innings, his leadership as India’s captain, and his dominance in T20 cricket make him a key figure in world cricket. His performances in Test cricket have also improved significantly since taking on the leadership role.
With the decade still unfolding it will be exciting to see whether Babar Azam reamains at the top or any of the other four players surpass him. However, with new names coming there can be possibility of a new addition to this list by the end of the decade.
