From Hashim Amla to Suresh Raina, world cricket has witnessed such courteous players delivering goods for their respective countries. To make it further interesting they’ve also made it to the list of professional cricketers who’ve scored fastest 2000 runs in One-day International (ODI) circuit. The batsmen with fastest 2000 runs in ODI cricket further went on to deliver in the crunch situations of the game.
To even things up, the day-long format has offered a great competition between the bat and ball. More often, batters have got better of bowlers in those intense moments of the game.
In the 50-over format, England has emerged as the team with depth in their batting department. Also, they have got the batsmen to even chase down the stiff target.
Over the years, the impactful batsmen have further exhibited their skills to the core. Also, they scored runs at pace in the ODI cricket.
Here’s the list of top ten batsmen with fastest 2000 runs in ODI cricket:
- Hashim Amla in 40 Innings:
Prolific run-getter in the white-ball cricket, Hashim Amla stands atop on the list of batsmen with fastest 2000 runs in ODI cricket.
Pleasing to the eyes with a bat, Amla’s run-scoring spree has added value to his South African National Team in the day-long format.
Amla is the quickest to reach 2000-run landmark in 40 ODI innings. The sweet-timer of the ball achieved the milestone against India at Port Elizabeth on 21 January 2011.
Interestingly, after making his ODI debut on March 9, 2008, it took Amla two years and 218 days to achieve such a feat.
- Zaheer Abbas in 45 Innings:
Known as an Asian Bradman for his classic style of play, veteran Pakistan batsmen Zaheer Abbas was a treat to watch while batting. The star cricketer Abbas played a pivotal role for Pakistan during his International stint.
While donning the colours for Pakistan, Abbas further went on to amass 2000 ODI runs in 45 innings. While playing his 45th ODI, Abbas went on to achieve the feat at Jaipur against India on October 2nd in 1983. Among the batsmen with fastest 2000 runs in ODI cricket, Abbas bagged the second position.
However, after making his ODI debut on 31 August 1974, Abbas took nine years and 32 days to reach the milestone.
- Kevin Pietersen in 45 Innings:
Having the intent to go after the bowlers and to take the onus solely on himself, Kevin Pietersen took the world by storm by his batting prowess.
The prominent right-handed batsman in the English set-up made things ridiculously easy for the Three Lions.
Pietersen, who served as the vital for England further set his name into the record books. Overall, he is the third fastest to achieve 2000 runs in 45 innings.
However, he achieved the feat in 51st ODI when he was facing the Windies at Bridgetown on 21 April 2007. Pietersen has been listed third on the chart of batsmen with fastest 2000 runs in ODI cricket.
After making his entry in the 50-over format on 28 November 2004, Pietersen took two years and 144 days to reach the 2000-run mark.
- Babar Azam in 45 Innings:
Still young in the International fold, Pakistan National Cricket Team batter Babar Azam is bracing himself up for the future overseas challenges.
The promising batsman Azam is having a steady head while coming right behind the ball. And that says a lot about a player of his kind. He smashed three hundreds on the trot against the Windies.
With a tendency to score runs on any of the ground, Babar further became second fastest from Pakistan to reach 2000 runs in fewer innings.
In 45 innings, Azam registered the record against Hong Kong at Dubai. Azam made his ODI debut on 31st of May in 2015. Eventually, it took him three years and 108 days to go past 2000-run mark.
- Jonathan Trott in 47 Innings:
Jonathan Trott was an ideal candidate for England across formats. He not only steadied the ship but eventually played a major part while bailing out the Three Lions.
Known for his textbook style of play, Trott had a bulk of the job for his English team during his 50-over stint.
Listed fifth on the list, Trott took 47 innings to become one of the batsmen with fastest 2000 runs in ODI cricket. He brought it up against Australia at Chester-le-Street on July 07 2012.
So much so, it took him two years and 144 days to score 2000 ODI runs in 19 matches.
- Vivian Richards in 48 Innings:
Windies great Vivian Richards is listed sixth on the list. Remarkable with the bat, Richards often made things miserable for the bowlers. Having the knack of scoring runs at a brisk pace, Richards further attributed it with his ability to play long innings.
One of the nicest blokes of the cricketing world Richards further banked on his aggression to yield desired results.
The ultimate timer of the ball played a quintessential role for his Caribbean team. He took 48 innings to reach 2000 ODI runs. He achieved this record against India at The Oval on 15 June 1983.
However, it took Richards eight years and eight days to amass 2000 ODI runs. Richards is listed sixth on the coveted list of batsmen with fastest 2000 runs in ODI cricket.
- Shikhar Dhawan in 48 Innings:
Senior Team India batsman Shikhar Dhawan looks pretty different batsman when it comes to the major ICC events. The left-handed opening batsman backs his aggressive mindset to put the opposition on the backfoot.
Dhawan, who has enjoyed his outing in England has been the cornerstone for India at the top. Dhawan took 48 innings to reach 2000 runs in ODIs. owing to the top ten list, he is only among India batsmen with fastest 2000 runs in ODI cricket.
In addition to, he achieved this feat while facing Sri Lanka at Hyderabad on November 9 2014. Since making his debut on 20 October 2019, Dhawan took four years and 20 days to amass 2000 runs in the ODI circuit.
- Gordon Greenidge in 49 Innings:
An ace right-handed batsman, Gordon Greenidge, who represented the Windies in 108 ODIs, is listed eighth on the list.
The Barbados-star amassed 7,558 runs at an average of 44.72 in 185 ODI innings. He further had impressed one and all with his sensible approach during the innings.
Greenidge took 49 ODI innings to race to 2000 ODI runs on 13th of October 1983 against India. Interestingly, the venue was historic Sher-e-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar where he became eighth overall batsmen with fastest 2000 runs in ODI cricket.
After making his debut on 11 June 1975, Greenidge took eight years and 124 days to reach 2000 ODI-run club.
- Jonny Bairstow in 49 Innings:
England National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow rose among the ranks with his robust approach with the bat.
The quality batsman in less time has left an impact in the cricket world. Bairstow played a significant role, particularly in the 50-over format.
Bairstow is third from England on the list of batsmen with fastest 2000 runs in ODI cricket. He reached the milestone in 99 innings off 53 ODIs. To be precise, he achieved the mark on 13 October 2018 against Sri Lanka at Dambulla.
Moreover, after making his ODI debut on 16 September 2011, Bairstow took seven years and 27 days to score his first 2000 ODI runs.
So far, he represented England in 54 ODIs to score 2017 runs at an average of 48.02. He also smashed six hundred and seven fifties.
- Gary Kirsten in 50 Innings:
The Western Province-based South African cricketer Gary Kirsten is the name to look at. The left-handed batsman Kirsten represented the Proteas 185 ODIs in which he amassed 6798 runs at an average of 45.27.
To talk about his numbers, Kirsten registered 21 tons and 34 half-centuries under his belt. Interestingly, his off-break bowling saw Kirsten bagging 23 ODI scalps.
He is listed tenth on the list of batsmen with fastest 2000 runs in ODI cricket on sixth of October 1996 when the Proteas faced Pakistan at Nairobi.
After making his ODI debut on 14th of December 1993, it took Kirsten two years and 297 days to register his quickest 2000 ODI runs.
Here’s the table of batsmen with fastest 2000 runs in ODI cricket:
| Serial No. | Player | Opponent | Venue | Matches | Innings |
| 1 | HM Amla (SA) | v India | Port Elizabeth | 41 | 40 |
| 2 | Zaheer Abbas (PAK) | v India | Jaipur | 45 | 45 |
| 3 | KP Pietersen (ENG/ICC) | v West Indies | Bridgetown | 51 | 45 |
| 4 | Babar Azam (PAK) | v Hong Kong | Dubai (DSC) | 47 | 45 |
| 5 | IJL Trott (ENG) | v Australia | Chester-le-Street | 49 | 47 |
| 6 | IVA Richards (WI) | v India | The Oval | 49 | 48 |
| 7 | S Dhawan (INDIA) | v Sri Lanka | Hyderabad (Deccan) | 49 | 48 |
| 8 | CG Greenidge (WI) | v India | Srinagar | 49 | 49 |
| 9 | JM Bairstow (ENG) | v Sri Lanka | Dambulla | 53 | 49 |
| 10 | G Kirsten (SA) | v Pakistan | Nairobi (Gym) | 50 | 50 |
| 11 | AN Cook (ENG) | v Australia | Manchester | 51 | 51 |
| 12 | DC Boon (AUS) | v New Zealand | Brisbane | 54 | 52 |
| 13 | AH Jones (NZ) | v England | Auckland | 52 | 52 |
| 14 | NS Sidhu (INDIA) | v England | Gwalior | 55 | 52 |
| 15 | SC Ganguly (INDIA) | v Australia | Kanpur | 56 | 52 |
| 16 | ME Trescothick (ENG) | v Sri Lanka | Sydney | 52 | 52 |
| 17 | Salman Butt (PAK) | v India | Dhaka | 52 | 52 |
| 18 | ML Hayden (AUS) | v India | Centurion | 56 | 53 |
| 19 | V Kohli (INDIA) | v West Indies | Port of Spain | 56 | 53 |
| 20 | Q de Kock (SA) | v England | Bloemfontein | 53 | 53 |
| 21 | GS Chappell (AUS) | v New Zealand | Auckland | 55 | 54 |
| 22 | BC Lara (WI) | v Pakistan | Sharjah | 54 | 54 |
| 23 | Yasir Hameed (PAK) | v South Africa | Faisalabad | 54 | 54 |
| 24 | KS Williamson (NZ) | v Pakistan | Abu Dhabi | 59 | 54 |
| 25 | GJ Bailey (AUS) | v England | Melbourne | 57 | 54 |
| 26 | JE Root (ENG) | v New Zealand | Nottingham | 58 | 54 |
| 27 | AJ Finch (AUS) | v India | Canberra | 56 | 54 |
| 28 | SE Marsh (AUS) | v England | Cardiff | 55 | 54 |
| 29 | KC Wessels (AUS/SA) | v Australia | Sydney | 58 | 55 |
| 30 | SPD Smith (AUS) | v India | Canberra | 68 | 55 |
| 31 | GA Gooch (ENG) | v West Indies | Jaipur | 57 | 56 |
| 32 | DM Jones (AUS) | v Sri Lanka | Adelaide | 57 | 56 |
| 33 | RA Smith (ENG) | v Australia | Birmingham | 57 | 56 |
| 34 | NV Knight (ENG) | v Australia | Bristol | 56 | 56 |
| 35 | CH Gayle (WI) | v India | Jodhpur | 58 | 56 |
| 36 | HH Dippenaar (SA) | v Pakistan | Rawalpindi | 67 | 56 |
| 37 | JJ Roy (ENG) | v New Zealand | Dunedin | 57 | 56 |
| 38 | DI Gower (ENG) | v New Zealand | Wellington | 60 | 57 |
| 39 | AJ Lamb (ENG) | v Australia | Sydney | 58 | 57 |
| 40 | MG Bevan (AUS) | v New Zealand | Melbourne | 63 | 57 |
| 41 | GC Smith (SA) | v England | Bloemfontein | 58 | 57 |
| 42 | MJ Guptill (NZ) | v South Africa | Napier | 59 | 57 |
| 43 | AD Hales (ENG) | v New Zealand | Christchurch | 59 | 57 |
| 44 | GR Marsh (AUS) | v Pakistan | Adelaide | 58 | 58 |
| 45 | Inzamam-ul-Haq (PAK) | v New Zealand | Sharjah | 59 | 58 |
| 46 | RT Ponting (AUS) | v Pakistan | Peshawar | 58 | 58 |
| 47 | GA Hick (ENG) | v India | The Oval | 60 | 59 |
| 48 | Ahmed Shehzad (PAK) | v India | Adelaide | 59 | 59 |
| 49 | DA Warner (AUS) | v India | Sydney | 61 | 59 |
| 50 | IR Bell (ENG) | v New Zealand | Auckland | 62 | 60 |
| 51 | MEK Hussey (AUS) | v Sri Lanka | Melbourne | 81 | 60 |
| 52 | Saeed Anwar (PAK) | v Australia | Multan | 62 | 61 |
| 53 | GP Thorpe (ENG) | v Pakistan | Rawalpindi | 65 | 61 |
| 54 | RR Sarwan (WI) | v England | Leeds | 65 | 61 |
| 55 | MJ Clarke (AUS) | v Sri Lanka | Sydney | 67 | 61 |
| 56 | G Gambhir (INDIA) | v England | Rajkot | 61 | 61 |
| 57 | PR Stirling (IRE) | v Zimbabwe | Harare | 62 | 61 |
| 58 | EC Joyce (ENG/IRE) | v Afghanistan | Belfast | 62 | 61 |
| 59 | JH Kallis (SA) | v New Zealand | Auckland | 64 | 62 |
| 60 | S Chanderpaul (WI) | v Australia | Bridgetown | 66 | 62 |
| 61 | Yousuf Youhana (PAK) | v New Zealand | Singapore | 66 | 62 |
| 62 | RG Twose (NZ) | v Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 66 | 62 |
| 63 | MS Dhoni (INDIA) | v Bangladesh | Dhaka | 70 | 62 |
| 64 | AB de Villiers (Afr/SA) | v West Indies | Durban | 63 | 62 |
| 65 | Misbah-ul-Haq (PAK) | v India | Mohali | 71 | 62 |
| 66 | Umar Akmal (PAK) | v India | Delhi | 71 | 62 |
| 67 | Mohammad Shahzad (AFG) | v Zimbabwe | Sharjah | 62 | 62 |
| 68 | DJ Cullinan (SA) | v Zimbabwe | Centurion | 64 | 63 |
| 69 | NJ Astle (NZ) | v Zimbabwe | Christchurch | 63 | 63 |
| 70 | R Dravid (INDIA) | v New Zealand | Christchurch | 70 | 63 |
| 71 | AC Gilchrist (AUS) | v Zimbabwe | Lord’s | 65 | 63 |
| 72 | WU Tharanga (Asia/SL) | v Australia | Sydney | 67 | 63 |
| 73 | AM Rahane (INDIA) | v Australia | Brisbane | 65 | 63 |
| 74 | DL Haynes (WI) | v Australia | Melbourne | 64 | 64 |
| 75 | Aamer Sohail (PAK) | v Sri Lanka | Centurion | 64 | 64 |
| 76 | AC Hudson (SA) | v Pakistan | Sharjah | 65 | 64 |
| 77 | GW Flower (ZIM) | v Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | 66 | 64 |
| 78 | EJG Morgan (ENG/IRE) | v Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | 64 | 64 |
| 79 | MD Crowe (NZ) | v Sri Lanka | Sydney | 67 | 65 |
| 80 | MA Taylor (AUS) | v Zimbabwe | Perth | 67 | 65 |
| 81 | AJ Strauss (ENG) | v New Zealand | Hobart | 66 | 65 |
| 82 | JP Duminy (SA) | v West Indies | Delhi | 72 | 65 |
| 83 | Shahriar Nafees (BDESH) | v Netherlands | Chittagong | 65 | 65 |
| 84 | WJ Cronje (SA) | v Zimbabwe | Harare | 69 | 66 |
| 85 | RP Arnold (SL) | v Pakistan | Sharjah | 75 | 66 |
| 86 | V Sehwag (INDIA) | v Australia | Johannesburg | 68 | 66 |
| 87 | WTS Porterfield (IRE) | v Scotland | Belfast | 66 | 66 |
| 88 | F du Plessis (SA) | v India | Melbourne | 69 | 66 |
| 89 | JC Buttler (ENG) | v Pakistan | Nottingham | 78 | 66 |
| 90 | Javed Miandad (PAK) | v Australia | Melbourne | 70 | 67 |
| 91 | DB Vengsarkar (INDIA) | v Australia | Melbourne | 69 | 67 |
| 92 | Rameez Raja (PAK) | v West Indies | Georgetown | 68 | 67 |
| 93 | PV Simmons (WI) | v Pakistan | Sharjah | 69 | 67 |
| 94 | ME Waugh (AUS) | v South Africa | Port Elizabeth | 71 | 67 |
| 95 | MS Atapattu (SL) | v Pakistan | Visakhapatnam | 68 | 67 |
| 96 | NH Fairbrother (ENG) | v India | Sharjah | 69 | 67 |
| 97 | L Klusener (SA) | v India | Nagpur | 78 | 68 |
| 98 | HH Gibbs (SA) | v West Indies | Bridgetown | 68 | 68 |
| 99 | TWM Latham (NZ) | v England | Hamilton | 70 | 68 |
| 100 | GM Wood (AUS) | v India | Sharjah | 75 | 69 |
| 101 | A Flower (ZIM) | v Bangladesh | Nairobi (Aga) | 71 | 69 |
| 102 | DS Lehmann (AUS) | v Pakistan | Melbourne (Docklands) | 76 | 69 |
| 103 | A Flintoff (ENG) | v Sri Lanka | Southampton | 78 | 69 |
| 104 | Shakib Al Hasan (BDESH) | v Zimbabwe | Dhaka | 72 | 69 |
| 105 | LRPL Taylor (NZ) | v Bangladesh | Dunedin | 75 | 69 |
| 106 | BJ Haddin (AUS) | v England | Brisbane | 74 | 69 |
| 107 | GJ Maxwell (AUS) | v India | Chennai | 78 | 69 |
| 108 | SR Tendulkar (INDIA) | v U.A.E. | Sharjah | 73 | 70 |
| 109 | VG Kambli (INDIA) | v Pakistan | Toronto | 76 | 70 |
| 110 | A Symonds (AUS) | v Sri Lanka | Colombo (RPS) | 93 | 70 |
| 111 | VVS Laxman (INDIA) | v Pakistan | Lahore | 72 | 70 |
| 112 | Tamim Iqbal (BDESH) | v India | Dhaka | 70 | 70 |
| 113 | SK Raina (INDIA) | v Bangladesh | Dhaka | 86 | 70 |