Which Indian batter has scored the most runs in World Cup history

For a cricketer, there can’t be a bigger moment than representing his team in the prestigious World Cup event. The top players across the world clash against each other in an event that attracts a huge number of spectators. The cricket's first World Cup was held back in 1975 in England. West Indies were the most dominant side in those years. They won consecutive titles in 1975 and 1979 before India broke their quest for a hat-trick of wins by beating them in the 1983 World Cup final. 

Over the years, there have been players who took the world by storm with their outstanding performances. Numerous legendary names such as Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Viv Richards, Kapil Dev, Virat Kohli, etc. left the world cricket in awe with their sensational performances in the biggest event. 

They etched their names in the history books by breaking numerous records on the biggest stage. Two records that always come to mind whenever you talk about the World Cup are indeed the highest run-scorer and highest wicket-taker. 

Who has scored the most runs in World Cup history?

Indian legendary batter, Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for scoring the most runs in 50-over World Cup history. Tendulkar has 2278 runs in 45 matches at an average of 56.95, including six hundreds.  Tendulkar has, in fact, played the second most number of matches (45) in World Cup history, only behind Ricky Ponting (46). The master blaster has an outstanding record in the ODI World Cup. He made his first appearance in the 1992 World Cup, smashing three fifties in that edition. In 8 matches, Tendulkar amassed 283 runs at an average of 47.17. 

In the next edition in 1996, he took the world by storm as he smacked 523 runs in seven matches at a stellar average of 87.17. The little master hammered two fifties and three hundreds in that particular edition. His next best World Cup edition came in the 2003 edition. Tendulkar finished with the most runs, amassing 673 runs in 11 matches at an average of 61.18. India looked like hot favourites to win the trophy but went down to Australia in the final. 

Sachin Tendulkar’s quest to win a World Cup ended in the 2011 edition. Under the leadership of MS Dhoni, India lifted the 2011 World Cup trophy after beating Sri Lanka in the final. Sachin Tendulkar scored the second most runs in that World Cup edition, amassing 482 runs, including two hundreds and as many fifties. 

Second on the list of most runs in World Cup history is India’s run-machine Virat Kohli. The former Indian captain has played 37 matches in the World Cup, smashing 1795 runs at an average of 59.83.