Most Runs In ICC World Cup History [1975-2019]: ICC World Cup the tournament that takes place every four years, with teams vying to claim the prestigious title. Throughout its history, we have witnessed dominant performances by various teams.
Australia stands out as the most successful, having won the World Cup on four occasions.
India and West Indies have won it twice each, and England emerged victorious in the latest edition in 2019.
In this grand tournament, we have witnessed numerous players amassing significant runs. One such player is Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record for the most runs in World Cup history.
Highest Individual Score In World Cup
Sachin has participated in six World Cups, spanning from 1992 to 2011. He is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest batsmen and also referred as the “God Of Cricket”.
Throughout his World Cup career, Sachin has played more than 40 matches and accumulated over 2000 runs.
Sachin’s extraordinary performance in the 2003 World Cup earned him the prestigious title of Man of the Series, as he scored an exceptional 673 runs in 11 matches.
This remains the highest individual run total by any batsman in a single Cricket World Cup. Sachin Tendulkar’s contributions have left an indelible mark on the history of the World Cup.
| Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Best | 50’s | 100’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 2278 | 56.95 | 88.98 | 152 | 15 | 6 |
Highest Run Scorer In Each Edition Of World Cup
| Edition | Highest Run Scorer | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Glenn Turner | NZ |
| 1979 | Gordon Greenidge | WI |
| 1983 | David Gower | ENG |
| 1987 | Graham Gooch | ENG |
| 1992 | Martin Crowe | NZ |
| 1996 | Sachin Tendulkar | IND |
| 1999 | Rahul Dravid | IND |
| 2003 | Sachin Tendulkar | IND |
| 2007 | Tillakaratne Dilshan | SL |
| 2011 | Sachin Tendulkar | IND |
| 2015 | Martin Guptill | NZ |
| 2019 | Rohit Sharma | IND |
List Of Most Runs in World Cup 1975-2019
| Player | Mats | Inn | Runs | AVG | SR | Best | 50s | 100s |
| SR Tendulkar (IND) | 45 | 44 | 2278 | 56.95 | 88.98 | 152 | 15 | 06 |
| R Ponting (AUS) | 46 | 42 | 1743 | 45.86 | 75.95 | 140* | 06 | 05 |
| K Sangakkara (SL) | 37 | 35 | 1532 | 56.74 | 86.55 | 124 | 07 | 05 |
| B Lara (WI) | 34 | 33 | 1225 | 42.24 | 86.26 | 116 | 07 | 02 |
| AB DE Villiers (SA) | 23 | 22 | 1207 | 63.52 | 117.29 | 162* | 06 | 04 |
| C Gayle (WI) | 35 | 34 | 1186 | 35.93 | 90.53 | 215 | 06 | 02 |
| S Jayasuriya (SL) | 38 | 37 | 1165 | 34.26 | 90.66 | 120 | 06 | 03 |
| J Kallis (SA) | 36 | 32 | 1148 | 45.92 | 74.40 | 128* | 09 | 01 |
| S Al Hasan (BAN) | 29 | 29 | 1146 | 45.84 | 82.26 | 124* | 10 | 02 |
| T Dilshan (SL) | 27 | 25 | 1112 | 52.95 | 92.97 | 161* | 04 | 04 |
Highest Run Scorers in World Cup Year Wise
Here is a complete list of Top Run Scorers in Each Cricket World Cup Edition, year wise.
Most Runs In ICC World Cup 1975
During the inaugural Cricket World Cup in 1975, former New Zealand batsman Glenn Turner emerged as the leading run-scorer with a remarkable total of 333 runs in just four matches.
Turner’s exceptional average of 166.50 showcased his batting prowess and contributed significantly to New Zealand’s campaign in the tournament.
Notably, Turner became the first player to score two centuries in a single World Cup, a record that stood for several editions.
His highest score of 171 not out came against East Africa in a match held at Birmingham. Turner’s unbeaten knock was achieved in just 201 deliveries, highlighting his ability to score runs at a brisk pace.
During the period from 1975 to 1983, matches in the World Cup were played with each team having 60 overs per inning.
| Player | Runs | Average | Centuries | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenn Turner | 333 | 166.50 | 2 | 171* |
Most Runs In ICC World Cup 1979
In the 1979 Cricket World Cup, West Indies batting stalwart Gordon Greenidge emerged as the leading run-scorer, showcasing his exceptional batting skills throughout the tournament.
Greenidge amassed a total of 253 runs in just four matches, averaging an impressive 84.33.
One of his standout performances came against India in a match held at Birmingham, where he scored a magnificent unbeaten knock of 106 runs off 173 balls.
| Player | Runs | Average | Centuries | Best Score | Balls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Greenidge | 253 | 84.33 | 1 | 106* | 173 |
Note: Gordon Greenidge had an outstanding performance in the 1979 World Cup, helping West Indies win the tournament for the second consecutive time.
Highest Runs In ICC World Cup 1983
English cricketer David Gower had a memorable performance in the 1983 World Cup, emerging as the highest run-scorer for the tournament.
Gower showcased his batting prowess, accumulating a total of 384 runs in seven matches, boasting an impressive average of 76.80.
Despite Gower’s individual brilliance, England faced disappointment in the semi-finals as they were defeated by India, thus ending their World Cup campaign.
| Player | Runs | Matches | Average | Centuries | Half-Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Gower | 384 | 7 | 76.80 | 1 | 1 |
Most Runs In ICC World Cup 1987
In the 1987 World Cup, which was hosted by India, English cricketer Graham Gooch emerged as the leading run-scorer of the tournament.
Gooch showcased his batting prowess and accumulated a remarkable total of 471 runs in eight matches, boasting an impressive average of 58.87.
Despite Gooch’s remarkable individual performances, England fell short in the final as they faced a defeat against Australia.
The 1987 World Cup marked a significant milestone as it was the first edition played in the 50-over format.
| Player | Runs | Matches | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Gooch | 471 | 8 | 58.87 |
Most Runs In ICC World Cup 1992
The 1992 World Cup, hosted by Australia, witnessed the extraordinary batting performances of New Zealand’s star batsman Martin Crowe.
Crowe emerged as the highest run-scorer of the tournament, accumulating a remarkable total of 456 runs in nine matches. He registered one century and four half-centuries.
Despite Crowe’s outstanding performances with the bat, New Zealand faced a defeat in the semi-final against Pakistan, which resulted in their elimination from the tournament.
| Player | Runs | Matches | Centuries | Half-Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Crowe | 456 | 9 | 1 | 4 |
Most Runs In ICC World Cup 1996
Former Indian cricketer and the “God of Cricket” Sachin Tendulkar, with his extraordinary batting skills in the 1996 World Cup, emerged as the tournament’s highest run-scorer.
Tendulkar accumulated a staggering total of 523 runs in seven matches, achieving an impressive average of 87.16.
Throughout the tournament, Tendulkar displayed his remarkable consistency and ability to score big runs. He recorded two centuries and three half-centuries, underscoring his ability to dominate opposing bowlers and anchor the Indian innings.
Despite Tendulkar’s outstanding performances with the bat, India finished in the fourth position in the tournament. While Sachin’s run-scoring feats were truly phenomenal, they were unfortunately not enough to propel India to reach to the Finals.
| Player | Runs | Matches | Centuries | Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 523 | 7 | 2 | 3 |
Most Runs In ICC World Cup 1999
Former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid showcased his exceptional batting skills in the 1999 World Cup, emerging as the tournament’s highest run-scorer. Dravid amassed an impressive total of 461 runs in eight matches, boasting an average of 65.86.
Throughout the tournament, Dravid displayed remarkable consistency and played crucial innings for the Indian team.
He recorded two centuries and three half-centuries, highlighting his ability to build innings and score runs consistently.
Despite Dravid’s stellar performances with the bat, India faced disappointment as they were knocked out in the super-six stage of the tournament.
| Player | Runs | Matches | Centuries | Fifties | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahul Dravid | 461 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 145 |
Most Runs In ICC World Cup 2003
Sachin Tendulkar emerged as the leading run-scorer in the 2003 World Cup, accumulating a staggering 673 runs in 11 matches.
He displayed exceptional consistency, averaging 61.18 with a strike rate of 89.25. Tendulkar hit six half-centuries and one century in the tournament, with his highest score being 152 against Namibia.
Despite Tendulkar’s outstanding performance, India finished as the runner-up in the World Cup.
| Player | Runs | Matches | Centuries | Fifties | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 673 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 152 |
Most Runs In ICC World Cup 2007
In the 2007 World Cup, Matthew Hayden, the former Australian opener, achieved the highest number of runs. Hayden accumulated a total of 659 runs in 11 matches, maintaining an impressive average of 73.22.
Throughout the tournament, he scored three centuries and one half-century.
Notably, his highest score of the competition was against West Indies in the quarter-final, where he played a remarkable innings of 143 balls.
| Player | Runs | Matches | Centuries | Fifties | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Hayden | 659 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 143 |
Most Runs In ICC World Cup 2011
Tillakaratne Dilshan emerged as the leading run-scorer in the 2011 World Cup, accumulating an impressive 500 runs in 9 matches.
He displayed exceptional form, averaging 62.50 with a highest score of 144 against Zimbabwe. Dilshan recorded two centuries and two half-centuries in the tournament.
Despite his outstanding performance, Sri Lanka finished as the runners-up in the 2011 World Cup.
Most Runs In World Cup 2011 By an Indian Player: In the 2011 World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, achieved the highest number of runs among all Indian players. Tendulkar scored a total of 482 runs in 9 matches, maintaining an impressive average of 53.55. Throughout the tournament, he scored two centuries and two half-centuries.
| Player | Runs | Matches | Centuries | Fifties | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tillakaratne Dilshan | 500 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 144 |
Most Runs In ICC World Cup 2015
Martin Guptill, the opening batsman from New Zealand, emerged as the leading run-scorer. Guptill accumulated a remarkable total of 547 runs in 9 matches, boasting an impressive average of 68.37. T
hroughout the tournament, he scored two centuries and one half-century, displaying his attacking style of play. Notably, he achieved the highest individual score of the 2015 World Cup, smashing an unbeaten 237 runs against West Indies.
| Player | Runs | Matches | Centuries | Fifties | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Guptill | 547 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 237* |
Most Runs in ICC World Cup 2019
In the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Rohit Sharma, the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team, emerged as the leading run-scorer.
Sharma achieved a remarkable total of 648 runs in 9 matches, boasting an impressive average of 81. Throughout the tournament, he scored five centuries and one half-century. His best score of 140 runs came against Pakistan, where he faced 113 balls.
Sharma holds the record for the most number of centuries (5) by an individual batsman in a single World Cup.
| Player | Runs | Matches | Centuries | Fifties | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 648 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 140 |
Most Runs in ICC World Cup 2023
This field will be updated after 2023 ICC World Cup that is going to take place this year in India.