One Day International (ODI) World Cup is among the most eagerly awaited cricketing event that is conducted by ICC (International Cricket Council). The major tournament is organized after an interval of every four years by the apex cricket governing council and hence it makes the tournament more anticipated among the fans.
Throughout the years, from great stroke players to hard hitters, every individual has participated in this major cricketing event. But with the six-hitting game that is considered to be one of the new trends at the same time rotating strikes as well as finding gaps and placing grounded shots for a boundary cannot go out of fashion. Until this date, there have been 12 ODI World Cups and by looking at the evolution of runs scored in every match one can speculate how has the approach of playing the game changed over the years.
In the history of the World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar is the player who has smashed the most number of boundaries throughout his long and illustrious career for India. Tendulkar represented India in six ICC World Cups where former India batter went on to play 45 matches for India in which the 50-year-old went on to score 2278 runs at a terrific average of 56.95 and even hit 241 boundaries which is still a record.
After Sachin, the most experieced former player on the list is the Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara. The stylish left-hand batter served Sri Lankan cricket for 15 long years and contributed to the best of skills both as a wicketkeeper as well as a solid middle-order batter. Most importantly, Sangakkara was well renowned for his eye-pleasing cover drive which he played. Sangakkara represented the Sri Lankan team in four World Cups. The 45-year-old went on to play 37 matches for Sri Lanka as well as went on to score 1532 runs at an average of 56.74. Throughout this tenure, the prolific left-hand batter scored 147 boundaries.
Players | Span | Innings | Runs | Fours | Sixes |
Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 1992-2011 | 44 | 2,278 | 241 | 27 |
Rohit Sharma (AUS) | 2015-2023 | 28 | 1,575 | 166 | 51 |
Virat Kohli (IND) | 2011-2023 | 37 | 1795 | 159 | 14 |
David Warner (AUS) | 2015-2023 | 29 | 1,527 | 154 | 41 |
KC Sangakkara (SL) | 2003-2015 | 35 | 1,532 | 147 | 14 |
Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 1996-2011 | 42 | 1,743 | 145 | 31 |
Adam Gilchrist (AUS) | 1999-2007 | 31 | 1,085 | 141 | 19 |
Stephen Fleming (NZ) | 1996-2007 | 33 | 1,075 | 134 | 11 |
Brian Lara (WI) | 1992-2007 | 33 | 1,225 | 131 | 17 |
Shakib Al Hasan (BAN) |
2007-2023 | 36 | 1332 | 128 | 12 |
TM Dilshan (SL) | 2007-2015 | 25 | 1,112 | 122 | 9 |
AB de Villiers (SA) | 2007-2015 | 23 | 1,029 | 121 | 37 |
Sanath Jayasuriya (SL) | 1992-2007 | 37 | 1,165 | 120 | 27 |
Chris Gayle (WI) | 2003-2019 | 34 | 1,186 | 116 | 49 |
*Last Updated 19th November 2023