ICC Cricket World Cup: Top Ten Captains With Most CWC Runs

Jul 10, 2019 at 2:18 PM

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ICC Cricket World Cup: Top Ten Captains With Most CWC Runs

Leading a team in a Cricket World Cup is a massive task as the captain has to take huge responsibilities which create enormous pressure for him. However, some brilliant captains have controlled this tough situation very well and gifted some memorable innings with their bats.

Here we are briefly discussing the top ten run-scorers as captain in Cricket World Cup history.

MS Dhoni (India) – 478 runs

Cricket World Cup, captains
Image Credit: Getty Images

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni was one of the best captains in international cricket history. Under his captaincy, India won their second Cricket World Cup in 2011 after beating Sri Lanka in the final. Apart from that tournament, Dhoni also the Indian team in the 2015 CWC where India finished their journey in the semi-finals. India once again shined in that tournament as they were unbeaten in that tournament before their semi-final game against the co-host Australia.

MS Dhoni’s heroic batting in the 2011 CWC final helped the Indian national cricket team to win their second CWC trophy. As a captain, Dhoni scored 478 runs in 14 CWC innings with an average of 53.11. The versatile batsman hit three CWC half-centuries as a captain with his best knock of 91* in the 2011 CWC final.

AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 482 runs

Cricket World Cup, captains
Image Credit: Google

Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers was one of the greatest batsmen in international cricket history. His batting has always entertained the world cricket. He has the rare ability to play all kind of cricketing shots and that too perfectly.

Under his captaincy, South Africa reached the semi-final in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup. However, once again, they suffered a heartbroken defeat in the CWC semi-final as the co-host New Zealand achieved a close victory in that semi-final.

It was the only CWC tournament that AB de Villiers led South Africa. The right-handed batsman scored 482 runs in seven CWC innings with an average of 96.40. Apart from playing an attacking 162* runs off just 66 balls, he also scored three half-centuries in 2015 CWC.

Aaron Finch (Australia) – 507 runs

Image Credit: Twitter

The opening batsman Aaron Finch is the captain of the present Australia national cricket team in the ongoing 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. In his first CWC experience as a captain, Finch is leading the Australian side from the front.

After batting in nine innings of 2019 CWC, Finch has scored 507 runs with an incredible average of 56.33. He has already hit two centuries and three half-centuries in this tournament, including the best knock of 153 runs.

Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 548 runs

Mahela Jayawardene
Image Credit: Getty Images

Former cricketer Mahela Jayawardene is known as one of the best batsmen and captains in Sri Lankan cricket history. Under his leadership, Sri Lanka finished as the runners-up in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup.

As a captain, Jayawardene batted in 11 innings during the 2007 CWC and scored 548 runs (average 60.88). He hit one century and four half-centuries in that tournament. His best CWC knock as a captain was 115*.

Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 548 runs

Kane Williamson, ICC World Cup 2019
Image Credit: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

New Zealand cricketer Kane Williamson is one of the top-class batsmen. As a captain, he is very calm and cool. New Zealand is playing the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup under Williamson’s leadership.

In this tournament, Williamson has batted in eight innings and scored 548 runs with an average of 91.33. The right-handed batsman has hit two centuries and two half-centuries in the 2019 CWC, and his best knock is 148 runs.

Imran Khan (Pakistan) – 615 runs

Image Credit: Getty Images

One of the greatest pace-bowling all-rounder Imran Khan incredibly led the Pakistan national cricket team to win the 1992 Cricket World Cup. Apart from that tournament, Imran Khan also played the captaincy role in the 1983 and 1987 Cricket World Cups.

As a captain, the right-handed batsman Imran Khan scored 615 runs in 19 CWC innings with an average of 38.43. He hit one century and four half-centuries among those innings, including his best knock of 102*.

Graeme Smith (South Africa) – 626 runs

Former South African cricketer Graeme Smith was one of finest captains for South Africa. Under his leadership, South Africa achieved consistent successes in international cricket. He led South Africa in 2007 and 2011 ICC Cricket World Cups. Out of those, South Africa finished as the semi-finalist in 2007 edition.

Playing in 17 CWC innings as a captain, Smith scored 626 runs (average 39.12). The left-handed batsman scored five CWC half-centuries as a captain. His best score among those innings was 91.

Mohammad Azharuddin (India) – 636 runs

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin was known as one of the top-class batsmen and captains in the world cricket history. He led the Indian national cricket team in three Cricket World Cups, and those were in 1992, 1996 and 1999.

In those competitions, Azharuddin batted in 20 innings where he scored 636 runs (average 35.33), including six half-centuries. His highest score among those innings was 93 runs.

Stephen Fleming (New Zealand) – 882 runs

Cricket World Cup, captains
Image Credit: Getty Images

The left-handed batsman Stephen Fleming successfully led New Zealand national cricket team for a long time. Under his captaincy, New Zealand played three consecutive Cricket World Cups, and those were in 1999, 2003 and 2007.

As a captain, Fleming played 27 innings in CWC history where he scored 882 runs (average 36.75). The left-handed batsman hit two centuries and four half-centuries in this phase. His best CWC innings as a captain was 136*.

Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 1,160 runs

Cricket World Cup, captains
Image Credit: Getty Images.

Undoubtedly, the former Australian captain Ricky Ponting was one of the greatest captains in international cricket history. His captaincy and batting both played the crucial roles for Australia in the big stages.

Ponting led the Australia national cricket team in 2003, 2007 and 2011 ICC Cricket World Cups. Out of those tournaments, Australia finished as the champions in 2003 and 2007 editions. After West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, Ponting is only the second captain to win two Cricket World Cups and that too consecutively. However, Ponting’s Australia finished as the unbeaten champions sides in both editions.

As a captain, Ponting batted in 25 CWC innings where he scored 1,160 runs with an incredible average of 52.72. He smashed four centuries and five half-centuries out of those 25 innings, and his best knock was 140* in the 2003 CWC final.

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