For every cricket player, winning the Cricket World Cup is the pinnacle of success. In this four-year ODI event, the best international teams battle for the coveted World Champions title. The World Cup is the cricket tournament that fans look forward to the most. Since the inaugural World Cup in 1975, it has produced stellar performances and enduring experiences that have gone down in cricket lore.
Any batsman would jump at the chance to compete on the largest stage against the best bowlers. It is extremely difficult to maintain scoring streaks throughout a tough tournament format that lasts for a month. It calls for extraordinary talent, intense focus, flawless technique, and steadfast temperament. Only the greatest batting champions in history have overcome elite bowling lineups and piled on the runs during a single World Cup.
As excitement builds up among fans for the ICC World Cup 2023 to be held in India, let’s revisit 5 batting icons who scored the most runs in a single World Cup edition as per icc world cup odi latest news. Their extraordinary feats give a glimpse of batting at its supreme best on the most prestigious stage in cricket.
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Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 673 runs{higest run} in 2003 World Cup
Due to his outstanding performance in the 2003 World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar, who is recognized as the best batsman of all time, stands at the top of this exclusive list of run scorers. Tendulkar was at the pinnacle of his abilities during this competition, virtually single-handedly destroying bowling assaults. In 11 games, he scored 673 runs at an astounding average of 61.18 and strike rate of 89.25.
The batting maestro smoked 2 centuries and 4 half-centuries, tormenting even the best bowlers in the world. His highest score was the majestic unbeaten 152 against Namibia. This knock showcased the complete range of Tendulkar’s genius – he played shots all around the wicket, pierced minuscule gaps with surgical precision and maintained a scoring rate of almost run-a-ball even in those days.
Overall, Tendulkar scored over 500 runs more than the next highest run-getter in the tournament – such was his dominance and consistency! His superlative batting was the prime reason India reached the final, only to lose agonizingly to Australia. Tendulkar’s finesse, technique and concentration while amassing those 673 runs is still awe-inspiring to this day.
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Matthew Hayden (Australia) – 659 runs in 2007 World Cup
The burly Australian southpaw was an unstoppable juggernaut in the 2007 World Cup held in the Caribbean islands. Hayden compiled 659 runs in just 10 matches at an average of 73.22 and excellent strike rate of 101.07. He smashed 3 brilliant centuries and 1 fifty, with a highest score of 158.
Hayden’s most memorable innings was his commanding 158 not out against South Africa, an innings that perfectly exemplified his strengths – raw power, imposing presence and the ability to dominate attacks. His signature pulls, cut shots and lofted drives landed way beyond the ropes, breaking the spirits of even the best bowlers. Ultimately, Hayden’s blazing batting was instrumental in Australia capturing their 3rd straight World Cup trophy.
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Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 606 runs in 2019 World Cup
At the 2019 World Cup in England, Shakib Al Hasan produced an all-round effort for the ages. He scored a tournament-high 606 runs from just 8 matches at an astonishing average of 86.57. His strike rate was a very respectable 96.03, showing his ability to adapt.
Shakib smashed 2 brilliant centuries and 5 fifties in that World Cup. Both his centuries came in must-win games – the 124 against West Indies powered Bangladesh to a famous win, while the 121 against England almost pulled off a record chase.
Shakib’s stellar batting almost single-handedly won matches for Bangladesh. He carried their batting lineup and took them close to a semi-final berth, highlighting his true value as one of the modern ODI greats. His composure, skill and concentration was a masterclass in batting.
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Matthew Hayden (Australia) – 549 runs in 2003 World Cup
Hayden’s consistency and dominance at World Cups is underline by his presence again on this elite list. In the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, he was once again in sublime form scoring 549 runs at an average of 68.62. Hayden cracked 2 more centuries and 3 fifties in that tournament.
His highest score was 114 against Sri Lanka. The aggressive southpaw was instrumental in propelling Australia to their second straight World Cup trophy. He gave them rollicking starts, setting the platform for big totals with his imposing, attacking batting at the top. Hayden’s appetite for runs was insatiable as he took apart attacks with his signature pulls, cuts and lofted drives.
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Rohit Sharma (India) – 548 runs in 2019 World Cup
Modern batting superstar Rohit Sharma had an unforgettable 2019 World Cup campaign on English soil. He amassed 548 runs in just 9 matches at an imperious average of 91.33 and excellent strike rate of 98.33.
Rohit rewrote the history books by smashing a record 5 centuries in a single World Cup edition, the most by any batsman. He also cracked 1 half-century and broke numerous batting records along the way. His 140 against arch-rivals Pakistan was a knock for the ages.
Rohit batted with captivating grace and panache throughout the tournament. His composure under pressure was admirable. Despite India’s heartbreaking semi-final loss, Rohit’s batting was a major positive as he finished the tournament as the leading run scorer.
Other Notable Mentions:
Though these 5 batting giants topped the run charts at various World Cups, some other legendary names came close or scored heavily:
– Rahul Dravid (India) – 461 runs in 1999 World Cup
– Aravinda de Silva (Sri Lanka) – 445 runs in 1996 World Cup
– Martin Guptill (New Zealand) – 547 runs in 2015 World Cup
Conclusion
The magic of Cricket World Cup brings out the very best in the batting maestros of the game. Players like Tendulkar, Hayden, Shakib, Rohit and others raised their levels to new heights at cricket’s showpiece event. Their concentration, technical brilliance, mental resolve and consistency under intense pressure enabled them to conquer the best bowlers in the world.
According to icc world cup latest news update, these batting legends rewrote the record books with their extraordinary individual performances that are now part of cricketing folklore. As anticipation builds around the 2023 World Cup, these stalwarts have already set monumental batting standards for others to chase. You may see some new batting stars and records emerge at the mega event. But the herculean feats achieved by these batting icons will likely remain untouched as examples of extraordinary greatness on the biggest stage of all.
