In the International Cricket World, Knockout Matches are the crucial moments for every team, and the pressure of the match is at its peak. These matches are those matches where players have to play under-pressure and need to give extraordinary performances. In this article, we will see the top five players who broke records and played pivotal roles in teams’ victories.
Top 5 Run-Scorers in ICC Knockout Matches in ODI
Virat Kohli
India’s cricket icon, Virat Kohli is one of the most consistent player who recently scored 84 off 98 balls, and became the most run scorer in ICC Knockout Matches. Virat’s half century in which he scored in the recent match, made him the first player to score 10 half centuries. Talking about Virat’s ICC Knockout career, he has played a total 12 knockout matches, in which he scored a total of 527 runs with an average of 58.56.
| Year | Match | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Avg | 50s | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Quarter-final vs. Australia | 24 | 33 | 72.73 | 24.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | Semi-final vs. Pakistan | 9 | 21 | 42.86 | 9.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | Final vs. Sri Lanka | 35 | 49 | 71.43 | 35.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | Semi-final vs. Sri Lanka | 58 | 64 | 90.63 | 58.00 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | Final vs. England | 43 | 34 | 126.47 | 43.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | Semi-final vs. Australia | 1 | 13 | 7.69 | 1.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | Semi-final vs. Bangladesh | 96 | 78 | 123.08 | 96.00 | 1 | 0 |
| 2017 | Final vs. Pakistan | 5 | 9 | 55.56 | 5.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Semi-final vs. New Zealand | 1 | 6 | 16.67 | 1.00 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Semi-final vs. New Zealand | 117 | 113 | 103.54 | 117.00 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023 | Final vs. Australia | 54 | 63 | 85.71 | 54.00 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | Semi-final vs. Australia | 84 | 98 | 85.71 | 84.00 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 527 | 606 | 87.03 | 58.56 | 5 | 1 |
Sachin Tendulkar
India’s master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar is one of the greatest cricketers of all time, holding several records, including the all time highest run scorer in ODI and Test matches and was the only player who scored hundred centuries in international cricket. Sachin’s remarkable journey made him an ideal player for youngsters, and his name will always be remembered in the history of cricket. Talking to his ICC Knockouts, he has played a total of 13 matches, in which he scored a total of 518 runs and became the second highest run scorer in ICC Knockout Matches.
| Year | Match | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Quarter Final vs. Pakistan | 31 | 59 | 52.54 | India won |
| 1996 | Semi-Final vs. Sri Lanka | 65 | 88 | 73.89 | India lost |
| 1998 | Semi-Final vs West Indies | 8 | 14 | 57.14 | India lost |
| 2000 | Final vs New Zealand | 69 | 83 | 83.13 | India lost |
| 2000 | Semi-Final vs South Africa | 39 | 50 | 78.00 | India won |
| 2000 | Quarter Final vs Australia | 38 | 37 | 102.70 | India won |
| 2002 | final vs. Sri Lanka | 7 | 22 | 31.82 | No Result |
| 2002 | Semi final vs. South Africa | 16 | 29 | 55.17 | India won |
| 2003 | Final vs Australia | 4 | 5 | 80.00 | India lost |
| 2003 | Semi-Final vs Kenya | 83 | 101 | 82.18 | India win |
| 2011 | final vs. Sri Lanka | 18 | 14 | 128.57 | India won |
| 2011 | Semi-final vs. Pakistan | 85 | 115 | 73.91 | India won |
| 2011 | Quarter-Final vs. Australia | 53 | 68 | 77.94 | India won |
| Total | 518 |
Ricky Ponting
A 50 years old cricket coach, commentator and a right handed Australian batter, Ricky Ponting is one of the greatest cricket players known for his aggressive batting style. In his cricket career, he was the third highest century hitter after Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar in International Cricket. As of now, he holds the records of winning most ICC Tournament as a captain, including 2006, 2009 Champions Trophy. Talking about Ricky’s ICC Knockout matches, he has played a total of 15 matches, in which he scored a total 497 runs with the highest 111 runs off 115 balls.
| Year | Match | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Final vs. Sri Lanka | 45 | 73 | 61.64 | Australia lost |
| 1996 | Semi-Final vs. West Indies | 0 | 15 | 00 | Australia Won |
| 1996 | Quarter-Final vs. West Indies New Zealand | 31 | 43 | 72.09 | Australia Won |
| 1999 | Final vs. Pakistan | 24 | 27 | 88.89 | Australia won |
| 1999 | Semi-Final vs South Africa | 37 | 48 | 77.08 | Tied |
| 2000 | Quarter-Final vs. India | 46 | 59 | 77.97 | Australia lost |
| 2003 | Semi-final vs. Sri Lanka | 3 | 22 | 13.64 | Australia lost |
| 2004 | Semi-Final vs. England | 29 | 41 | 70.73 | Australia lost |
| 2006 | final vs. West Indies | 0 | 2 | 00 | Australia won |
| 2006 | Semi-final vs. New Zealand | 58 | 80 | 72.50 | Australia won |
| 2007 | Final vs. Sri Lanka | 37 | 42 | 88.10 | Australia won |
| 2007 | Semi-final vs. South Africa | 22 | 25 | 88.00 | Australia won |
| 2009 | Final vs. New Zealand | 1 | 4 | 25.00 | Australia won |
| 2009 | Semi-Final vs. England | 111 | 115 | 96.52 | Australia won |
| 2011 | Quarter-Final vs. India | 104 | 118 | 88.14 | Australia lost |
| Total | 497 |
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is right-handed, Indian batters, and known as Hitman in cricket world. He is one of the greatest openers who did captaincy in all formats like T20Is, ODIs, and Test. Rohit Sharma holds several records including the most runs in T20I and the greatest six hitter. Moving to his ICC Knockout Matches, he has played a total of 10 matches, in which he scored two centuries against Bangladesh.
| Year | Match | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Final vs. England | 9 | 14 | 64.29 | India won |
| 2013 | Semi-Final vs. Sri Lanka | 33 | 50 | 66.00 | India won |
| 2015 | Semi-final vs. Australia | 34 | 38 | 70.83 | India lost |
| 2015 | Quarter final vs. Bangladesh | 137 | 126 | 108.73 | India won |
| 2017 | final vs. Pakistan | 0 | 3 | 00 | India lost |
| 2017 | Semi-final vs. Bangladesh | 123 | 129 | 95.35 | India won |
| 2019 | Semi-Final vs. New Zealand | 1 | 4 | 25.00 | India lost |
| 2019 | final vs. Australia | 47 | 31 | 96.55 | India lost |
| 2019 | Semi-Final vs New Zealand | 47 | 29 | 162.07 | India Won |
| 2025 | Semi-Final vs Australia | 28 | 29 | 96.55 | India Won |
| Total | 459 |
Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara is one of the best wicket-keeper and batter in the world of cricket, and known for his defensive batting style. Kumar Sangakkara played in all formats and produced high innings which helped the team to win the trophy, including ICC Champions Trophy and 2014 T20 World Cup. His excellency and adaptive batting made him a notable player and always be remembered in the world of cricket. Talking about his ICC Knockout career, he has played a total of 11 matches and scored a total of 424 runs.
| Year | Match | Runs | Balls | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Quarter Final vs. Pakistan | 19 | 34 | 55.88 | Sri Lanka lost |
| 2002 | Semi-Final vs. Australia | 48 | 63 | 76.19 | Sri Lanka won |
| 2002 | Final vs India | 54 | 89 | 60.67 | NO Result |
| 2002 | Final vs India | 26 | 46 | 56.52 | NO Result |
| 2003 | Semi-Final vs Australia | 39 | 70 | 55.71 | Sri Lanka lost |
| 2007 | Semi-Final vs New Zealand | 18 | 42 | 42.86 | Sri Lanka won |
| 2007 | final vs. Australia | 54 | 42 | 103.85 | Sri Lanka lost |
| 2011 | final vs.India | 48 | 67 | 71.64 | Sri Lanka lost |
| 2011 | Semi-Final vs New Zealand | 54 | 79 | 68.35 | Sri Lanka won |
| 2013 | Semi-Final vs. India | 17 | 44 | 38.64 | Sri Lanka lost |
| 2015 | Qualifier vs. South Africa | 45 | 96 | 46.88 | Sri Lanka lost |
| Total | 424 |
In ICC Knockout Matches the pressure is always on top but despite struggling with pressure, the only players who gave us an incredible innings and marked their names in the history of cricket world. India’s icon player Virat Kohli is on top, playing an excellent innings under pressure, whereas the legend Sachin Tendulkar also marked his presence and gave us an unforgettable innings. So overall these five players are legends and always be remembered in the history of cricket.
