Reaching 5000 runs in cricket is a remarkable milestone, reflecting both consistency and skill. The fastest players to reach 5000 runs have demonstrated the ability to score prolifically, often in record time. This article highlights the players who have achieved the fastest 5000 runs in cricket history across different formats, including ODI, IPL, Test, and T20 cricket.
The record for the fastest 5000 runs in cricket history varies by format. In One Day International (ODI) cricket, Babar Azam holds the record for the fastest 5000 runs, achieving the milestone in just 97 innings. The achievement is a testament to Babar Azam's consistent scoring ability and adaptability across different conditions. In Test cricket, Don Bradman is the fastest player to score 5,000 runs, while Chris Gayle has the fastest 5000 runs in T20 cricket.
Ranking | Player | Mat | Inns | Country | Opposition | Match Date | Debut | Time |
1 | Babar Azam | 99 | 97 | Pakistan | v New Zealand | 5 May 2023 | 31 May 2015 | 7y 339d |
2 | HM Amla | 104 | 101 | South Africa | v West Indies | 16 Jan 2015 | 9 Mar 2008 | 6y 313d |
3 | IVA Richards | 126 | 114 | West Indies | v England | 30 Jan 1987 | 7 Jun 1975 | 11y 237d |
4 | Virat Kohli | 120 | 114 | India | v West Indies | 21 Nov 2013 | 18 Aug 2008 | 5y 95d |
5 | Shai Hope | 119 | 114 | West Indies | v England | 3 Dec 2023 | 16 Nov 2016 | 7y 17d |
6 | DA Warner | 117 | 115 | Australia | v India | 14 Jan 2020 | 18 Jan 2009 | 10y 361d |
7 | Joe Root | 122 | 116 | England | v West Indies | 20 Feb 2019 | 11 Jan 2013 | 6y 40d |
8 | Q de Kock | 116 | 116 | South Africa | v England | 4 Feb 2020 | 19 Jan 2013 | 7y 16d |
9 | Brian Lara | 120 | 118 | West Indies | v South Africa | 3 Nov 1997 | 9 Nov 1990 | 6y 359d |
10 | S Dhawan | 119 | 118 | India | v New Zealand | 23 Jan 2019 | 20 Oct 2010 | 8y 95d |
11 | KS Williamson | 125 | 119 | New Zealand | v England | 3 Mar 2018 | 10 Aug 2010 | 7y 205d |
12 | CG Greenidge | 122 | 121 | West Indies | v Pakistan | 13 Nov 1990 | 11 Jun 1975 | 15y 155d |
13 | AB de Villiers | 129 | 124 | South Africa | v England | 28 Aug 2012 | 2 Feb 2005 | 7y 208d |
14 | F du Plessis | 131 | 125 | South Africa | v Sri Lanka | 6 Mar 2019 | 18 Jan 2011 | 8y 47d |
15 | SC Ganguly | 131 | 126 | India | v Pakistan | 25 Jan 2000 | 11 Jan 1992 | 8y 14d |
16 | AJ Finch | 130 | 126 | Australia | v India | 27 Nov 2020 | 30 Jan 2013 | 7y 321d |
17 | DM Jones | 131 | 128 | Australia | v Zimbabwe | 14 Mar 1992 | 30 Mar 2002 | 8y 44d |
18 | Steven Smith | 145 | 129 | India | v India | 27 Sep 2023 | 11 Jan 1984 | 13y 220d |
19 | Graeme Smith | 133 | 131 | South Africa | v Bangladesh | 14 Mar 2008 | 30 Mar 2002 | 5y 350d |
20 | Martin Guptill | 135 | 132 | New Zealand | v Australia | 4 Dec 2016 | 10 Jan 2009 | 7y 329d |
Summarize: Babar Azam leads the list of fastest players to 5000 runs in ODI cricket, achieving this feat in just 97 innings. The likes of HM Amla, Viv Richards, Virat Kohli, and David Warner have also demonstrated exceptional consistency in reaching this milestone quickly.
Ranking | Player | Mat | Inns | Country | Opposition | Match Date | Debut | Time |
1 | DG Bradman | 36 | 56 | Australia | v England | 22 Jul 1938 | 30 Nov 1928 | 9y 234d |
2 | JB Hobbs | 55 | 91 | England | v Australia | 8 Mar 1929 | 1 Jan 1908 | 21y 66d |
3 | GS Sobers | 56 | 95 | West Indies | v England | 4 Aug 1966 | 30 Mar 1954 | 12y 127d |
4 | SM Gavaskar | 52 | 95 | India | v Australia | 19 Sep 1979 | 6 Mar 1971 | 8y 197d |
5 | IVA Richards | 64 | 95 | West Indies | v England | 14 Jun 1984 | 22 Nov 1974 | 9y 205d |
6 | ML Hayden | 55 | 95 | Australia | v Sri Lanka | 9 Jul 2004 | 4 Mar 1994 | 10y 127d |
7 | WR Hammond | 59 | 97 | England | v Australia | 18 Dec 1936 | 24 Dec 1927 | 8y 360d |
8 | KF Barrington | 61 | 97 | England | v South Africa | 26 Aug 1965 | 9 Jun 1955 | 10y 78d |
9 | SPD Smith | 53 | 97 | Australia | v India | 16 Mar 2017 | 13 Jul 2010 | 6y 246d |
10 | L Hutton | 55 | 98 | England | v South Africa | 26 Jul 1951 | 26 Jun 1937 | 14y 30d |
11 | V Sehwag | 59 | 99 | India | v Sri Lanka | 31 Jul 2008 | 3 Nov 2001 | 6y 271d |
12 | SR Tendulkar | 67 | 103 | India | v Pakistan | 16 Feb 1999 | 15 Nov 1989 | 9y 93d |
13 | BC Lara | 61 | 104 | West Indies | v Australia | 13 Mar 1999 | 6 Dec 1990 | 8y 97d |
14 | RN Harvey | 61 | 105 | Australia | v India | 12 Dec 1959 | 23 Jan 1948 | 11y 323d |
15 | JE Root | 57 | 105 | England | v South Africa | 4 Aug 2017 | 13 Dec 2012 | 4y 234d |
16 | V Kohli | 63 | 105 | India | v Sri Lanka | 2 Dec 2017 | 20 Jun 2011 | 6y 165d |
17 | GS Chappell | 60 | 106 | Australia | v Pakistan | 18 Mar 1980 | 11 Dec 1970 | 9y 98d |
18 | KC Sangakkara | 64 | 106 | Sri Lanka | v New Zealand | 15 Dec 2006 | 20 Jul 2000 | 6y 148d |
19 | Younis Khan | 59 | 106 | Pakistan | v Sri Lanka | 21 Feb 2009 | 26 Feb 2000 | 8y 361d |
20 | RB Kanhai | 61 | 107 | West Indies | v Australia | 14 Feb 1969 | 30 May 1957 | 11y 260d |
Summarize: Don Bradman achieved 5000 runs in Test cricket in the fewest innings—just 56—demonstrating his unparalleled dominance. Modern greats such as Ricky Ponting and Steve Smith are also on this list for their rapid accumulation of runs.
Ranking | Player | Mat | Inns | Opposition | Match Date | Debut | Time |
1 | CH Gayle | 135 | 132 | v Daredevils | 16 Apr 2013 | 15 Sep 2005 | 7y 213d |
2 | KL Rahul | 156 | 143 | v SRH | 21 Apr 2021 | 17 Mar 2013 | 8y 35d |
3 | SE Marsh | 146 | 144 | v SRH | 28 Apr 2017 | 6 Jan 2006 | 11y 112d |
4 | DP Conway | 149 | 144 | v Punjab Kings | 30 Apr 2023 | 2 Feb 2011 | 12y 87d |
5 | Babar Azam | 150 | 145 | v Glamorgan | 16 Sep 2020 | 1 Dec 2012 | 7y 290d |
6 | AJ Finch | 163 | 159 | v Thunder | 22 Dec 2016 | 2 Jan 2009 | 7y 355d |
7 | Mohammad Rizwan | 189 | 160 | v Hong Kong | 2 Sep 2022 | 26 May 2009 | 13y 99d |
8 | M Klinger | 167 | 162 | v Somerset | 6 Jul 2018 | 6 Jan 2006 | 12y 181d |
9 | MJ Guptill | 168 | 162 | v Trinbago | 10 Jul 2016 | 20 Jan 2006 | 10y 172d |
10 | Q de Kock | 169 | 163 | v India | 22 Sep 2019 | 2 Oct 2011 | 7y 355d |
11 | RR Hendricks | 177 | 165 | v Super Giants | 24 Jan 2023 | 25 Jan 2009 | 13y 364d |
12 | BJ Hodge | 171 | 166 | v Chittagong | 24 Jan 2013 | 16 Jun 2003 | 9y 222d |
13 | KP Pietersen | 171 | 166 | v Sixers | 21 Jan 2017 | 13 Jun 2003 | 13y 222d |
14 | V Kohli | 178 | 167 | v Australia | 31 Jan 2016 | 3 Apr 2007 | 8y 303d |
15 | HE van der Dussen | 178 | 169 | v Capitals | 3 Feb 2024 | 27 Jan 2013 | 11y 7d |
16 | SK Raina | 183 | 173 | v Dolphins | 22 Sep 2014 | 1 Dec 2006 | 7y 295d |
17 | E Lewis | 177 | 173 | v Kings | 4 Sep 2021 | 6 Sep 2012 | 8y 363d |
18 | BB McCullum | 177 | 174 | v Kings XI | 18 Apr 2014 | 17 Feb 2005 | 9y 60d |
19 | DA Warner | 175 | 174 | v Kings XI | 14 May 2014 | 5 Jan 2007 | 7y 129d |
20 | Rohit Sharma | 176 | 176 | v West Indies | 7 August 2023 | 23 Jun 2007 | 16y 44d |
Summarize: Chris Gayle leads the list of fastest to 5000 runs in T20 cricket, thanks to his explosive hitting across leagues and formats. Virat Kohli and David Warner have also showcased their prowess in accumulating runs quickly in T20 cricket.
The above introduces the top 20 players with the Fastest 5000 Runs in International Cricket (ODI+Test+T20). These records not only reflect their outstanding technical talents, but also highlight their influence in the game. As the game evolves and new batsmen emerge, the record of the fastest 5000 runs may be broken, reflecting the competitiveness and development potential of cricket. In general, the speed of reaching 5000 runs is not only a reflection of technology, but also reflects the competitiveness and adaptability of players on the international stage.
Currently, Chris Gayle is the fastest player to reach 5000 runs in the number of balls faced in the IPL, showing his explosive batting abilities. In addition, David Warner and AB de Villiers also performed well, showing their qualities in the T20 format.
Virat Kohli is the fastest Indian player to reach 5000 runs in IPL.
Virat Kohli is also the fastest captain to reach 5000 runs in ODI cricket.
Hashim Amla holds the record for being the fastest 2000 runs in ODI cricket.