Top 10 batsmen with most ODI runs going into the World Cup 2015

Top 10 batsmen with most ODI runs going into the World Cup 2015: With the retirements of Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting in 2012, the players with most runs in One Day matches have been mostly from Sri Lanka. With some new names in the list, the 2015 World cup will see some surprises in terms of new entries and improvements in the most runs in ODI list. 10. Shane Watson (Australia 2002) M: 180 R: 5478 A: 40.57 100s:9 50s: 31 H:185* Watson will look to add to his tally of runs and centuries in what has been an unfulfilled career. (Photo Source: BCCI) The Australian all-rounder made his ODI debut in 2002 and since then he has accumulated 5478 runs in ODI. In a career plagued with injuries and inconsistent form, Watson only recently cemented his place at number 3 after various experiments at number 4, 5, 6 and opening. Watson will look to add to his tally of runs and centuries in what has been an unfulfilled career. 9. Virat Kohli (India 2008) M: 149 R: 6224 A:51.86 100s:21 50s:33 H:183 Indian test captain Virat Kohli made his World cup debut in 2011. (Photo Source: BCCI) Indian test captain Virat Kohli made his World cup debut in 2011 and played an important role in India winning the trophy. Since then, he has matured into a match winning batsman in his own and one of the best chasers in the ODI format. He also has 21 centuries in just 149 matches. Kohli has been earmarked for captaincy after Dhoni retires. Virat Kohli has grown leaps and bounds since his ODI debut in 2008 and has established himself as one the best number 3 batsman in ODI matches. 8. Younis Khan (Pakistan 2000) M: 259 R:7177 A:31.75 100s: 21 50s: 48 H:144 The smiling assassin Younis Khan will complete 15 years of ODI cricket in the World cup this year. (Photo Source: Getty Images) The smiling assassin Younis Khan will complete 15 years of ODI cricket in the World cup this year and will also look forward to add to his 7000+ runs in this World cup. Younis Khan was not amongst those who were chosen for the World Cup, but his performance in Test series against New Zealand made the selectors think of his selection again and finally he made the 15 man squad for the 2015 World cup. 7. AB de Villiers (South Africa/ Africa 2005) M:179 R:7459 A:52.16 100s:19 50s:43 H:149 He recently made the fastest hundred in One day format against West Indies in just 31 deliveries. (Photo Source: Gallo Images) The most exciting batsman in recent times, De Villiers has made a name for himself as one of the batsman who can win the trophy for South African team. He recently made the fastest hundred in One day format against West Indies in just 31 deliveries. De Villiers is not just the best batsman, but his ability to keep wickets and field at backward point is just what makes him an asset that any team would like to have. His innovation in limited overs format is second to none and he can rival the best finishers today in the game. 6. Michael Clarke (Australia 2003) M:238 R:7762 A:44.86 100s:8 50s:56 H:130 Clarke had a good 2007 and 2011 World cups, playing under Ricky Ponting. (Photo Source: AFP) The Australian captain has been fighting battle against hamstring and back injuries which hampered him in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar trophy. Michael Clarke has been named the captain for the World cup, but is not expected to play until the second round of matches. Clarke had a good 2007 and 2011 World cups, playing under Ricky Ponting. This will be the first time he will be leading Australia in the World cups. He has a wonderful ODI record averaging almost 45 and has 8 centuries to his name. 5. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India/Asia 2004) M:253 R:8245 A:52.51 100s:9 50s:56 H:183* India’s World Cup winning captain MS Dhoni recently retired from the Test arena, but his ODI form continues to be top class. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Probably the best finisher in the game today and the defending captain has his handful this time around. India’s World Cup winning captain MS Dhoni recently retired from the Test arena, but his ODI form continues to be top class. He would like to make a sizable contribution this time as India look to defend the crown in testing conditions of Australia and New Zealand. Dhoni will also have to come up with the best playing eleven combinations along with getting his opening combination right. 4. Chris Gayle (West Indies/ICC 1999) M:262 R:8881 A:37 100s:21 50s:46 H: 153* Chris Gayle has not been much successful in ODI in last 3-4 years, thanks to irregular appearances, trouble with the West Indies Cricket Board and fitness issues. (Photo Source: AFP ) Chris Gayle has not been much successful in ODI in last 3-4 years, thanks to irregular appearances, trouble with the West Indies Cricket Board and fitness issues. He recently scored a century against Bangladesh, his first in 14 months at the time. Gayle who captained the Windies the last time will be responsible to give his team the quick start that has become synonymous with him over the years. May be he would like to go out in style, winning the cup for his team or at least taking West Indies to the knock out format. 3. Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka 1999) M:306 R:9320 A:38.83 100s:20 50s:41 H:160* Dilshan was part of the team in the 2007 and 2011 World cup finals which Sri Lanka lost. (Photo Source: BCCI) One of the pillars of the Sri Lankan cricket, Dilshan has done everything the team has asked of him. Keep wickets, bowl spin, open and captain the team. Dilshan has been in terrific form recently. He became the only 2nd batsman to score 300 runs in a bilateral series on 3 different occasions. Dilshan was part of the team in the 2007 and 2011 World cup finals which Sri Lanka lost. He would definitely want to win this time and end his career on a high note. 2. Mahela Jayawardene (SriLanka/Asia 1997) M:441 R:12525 A:33.48 100s:18 50s:77 H:144 The former Sri Lankan captain has already announced his retirement from all formats at the end of 2015 ICC World cup. (Photo Source: BCCI) The former Sri Lankan captain has already announced his retirement from all formats at the end of 2015 ICC World cup. He will definitely be looking forward to erase the pain of last two losses in the finals of 2007 and 2011 World cups. Mahela Jayawardene is also the most capped ODI player currently and he would like to end his career on a high. He had a wonderful 2011 World cup and scored a century in the final, but that was not enough for Sri Lanka. This time, he will make sure, Sri Lanka go home with the trophy as 2 time World Cup winners. 1. Kumar Sangakkara (SriLanka/Asia/ICC 2000) M:397 R:13693 A:40.99 100s:21 50s:93 H:169 Kumar Sangakkara has also announced his retirement from One Day cricket after the World cup. (Photo Source: Associated Press) Another former captain of Sri Lanka, Kumar Sangakkara has also announced his retirement from One Day cricket after the World cup. He currently has the most runs in One Day cricket, 13693 going into the World cup. He is also 4 half centuries shy of breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record for most 50s in ODI cricket. But more than that, he would be looking forward to win the world cup for Sri Lanka. He captained Sri Lanka in the heart breaking 2011 World Cup campaign where Sri Lanka lost to India in the finals at the Wankhede stadium. Kumar Sangakkara will also enter the tournament with 991 runs to his name in the World cups. Apart from this, he will also complete his 400th ODI during the tournament making him part of an elusive club. (Also read Top 10 Fastest hundred in World Cups) (Article Updated till Sri Lanka vs New Zealand ODI played on 29th January 2015)