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Running between the wickets is an important part in the game of cricket. It’s the key to building an innings and maintaining the ongoing run-rate with continuous scoring. A good batter not only relies on scoring boundaries but also maintains the scoring rate with continuous running between the wickets and converting ones into twos and twos into threes. The constant rotation not only sets the platform for a big total but also puts pressure on the opposition bowlers and fielders.
However, the batter should be fast enough to score quick runs while sprinting between the wickets and able to maintain the run-rate with his constant scoring. It requires a great fitness and physique to achieve this. We have seen so many batting pairs who enjoy running between the wickets and put pressure on the opposition. In the following article, we will have a look at the top 10 fastest runners in cricket.
List of Fastest Runners in Cricket History
1. Virat Kohli
Ace Indian batter Virat Kohli has shattered so many records with his bat, including the one to become fastest cricketer to amass 25000 runs in international cricket and becoming the first player to score 50 ODI tons surpassing the Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar. Apart from this, Kohli is also among the fittest cricketers in the world currently and is known for rasing the fitness standards in the Indian Cricket team during his tenure as a captain. Kohli is a busy cricketer who keeps rotating the strike and converting ones into twos with his fast sprint between the wickets. He keeps building the pressure on the opposition bowlers with his constant running and punish the loose deliveries towards the boundary.
2. MS Dhoni
Former Indian captain MS Dhoni is among the fittest cricketers in the world along with his sharp cricketing mind and wicket-keeping skills. He has won so many games for India with his ability to rotate strike continuously and convert crucial singles into doubles. Even after his retirement from international cricket, Dhoni is faster between the wickets than many of the young cricketers in the world right now. One of the greatest Indian captains who led Men in Blue towards glory, 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy, Dhoni is also regarded as the greatest finishers in the world who can change the momentum of the game towards his team in the final moments of the game.
Also See: Top 10 Best finishers in IPL history
3. AB de Villiers
Widely regarded as ‘Mr. 360’ former South African captain, Ab de Villiers was one of the best cricketers, who made batting look so easy with his effortless power hitting and ability to smash the ball to every corner of the park. He holds the record for smashing the fastest century in ODI cricket as he achieved the triple figures in just 31 deliveries against West Indies in 2015. De Villiers is also among the fastest runners in cricket who could run like “Cheetah’ and convert singles into doubles and triples so easily. He was also among some best outfielders in the world known for his brilliant catches and runouts. De Villiers has been one of the fittest cricketers who played crucial role in changing the fitness culture in the South African team.
4. David Warner
Star Australia batter David Warner is mostly known for his aggressive style of play in which he mostly deals with fours and sixes. However, he is also among the fastest runners between the wickets who keeps rotating strike on regular intervals to keep the scoreboard going. Warner has scored more than 8000 runs in international cricket and almost 50% of them have been scored through singles and doubles. He is known for judging the fielders and rotating the strike real quick. He also among the top fielders could convert half chances into full and restrict the batters to take an extra run.
Must See: Top 10 Best Spinners in World of All Time
5. Hardik Pandya
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is a kind of a player who could turn the match around in his team’s favor with his clutch performance from both bat and ball. Apart from this, Pandya is also a great sprinter who easily converts singles into doubles and doubles into triples in quick time. He is a busy batter who mostly deals in fours and sixes and lets the scoreboard go with singles and doubles. Pandya is also among the best fielders in the world currently who can put pressure on the batters with his brilliant piece of fielding.
6. Dwayne Bravo
One of the most energetic cricketers, former West Indies all rounder Dwayne Bravo excelled in all three departments of the game and was also a great entertainer off the field. Bravo also finds himself among the fastest runners in cricket, who keep the scoreboard going with his constant strike rotation and go for gigantic sixes when the ball comes in his radar. He is also one of the most energetic players on the field who doesn’t let the batter go for an easy run and has saved so many runs for his team with his fielding.
7. Glenn Maxwell
Star Australian batter Glenn Maxwell is among the best clutch players in the world currently, who turn the match around for his team single-handedly, His 201-run knock against Afghanistan in Mumbai during the 2023 ODI World Cup in regarded as one of the greatest ODI knock to be ever players, where he hit big sixes by standing on one leg due to hamstring and guided Australia to a memorable victory. Maxwell is known for dealing in mostly fours and sixes, but has also been one of the quickest runners between the wickets. He keeps the scoreboard going with constant strike rotation and puts pressure on the opposition bowlers. Maxwell is also one of the quickest players on the field who can plenty of runs with his brilliant work of fielding.
Know about: Top 10 Best Cricket All-Rounders in the World
8. Jonty Rhodes
Arguably the greatest-fielder to ever play the game, former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes is among the fastest runners in world cricket. He was the one of the quickest fielders in his time who could sprint towards the ball in no time and put pressure on the opposition batters by preventing easy singles. Apart from this, Rhodes was also a great sprinter between the wickets who could easily trick the opposition fielders to take risky singles and keep the scoreboard going with continuous rotation of the strike. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that he is one of those players who revolutionized the way batters should approach their innings.
9. Brendon McCullum
Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum was a kind of a player who used to lead by example. He started as a wicketkeeper but went into the outfield later in his career. He used to run at a lightning fast speed near the boundary line and save crucial runs for his team. McCullum was also the great striker of the ball and was known for stepping out of the crease against the fast bowlers and smashing them for a six. Apart from this, he was also a great sprinter between the wickets who could run at a lightning fast speed to convert singles into doubles and doubles into triples.
10. Mohammad Kaif
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif was one of the fittest cricketers of his time who used to run at a lightning fast speed between the wickets and is known for setting up new standards in terms of athleticism in the field. He was one of the great fielders for India that time and used to sprint at a fast speed to grab the ball and save runs for his team.
