Any batsman who can record a place in history by scoring 1,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODI) cricket is a notable effort & any batsman to attain 1,000 runs will show that the player is going through a good patch of form, with more consistent performances over a shorter period. At the same time, some batters will go further and will achieve the 1000 runs milestone quicker than others, in fewer innings. This article will look at the list of cricketers who scored the fastest 1000 runs in ODI, how many innings they took, and what makes them special.
What does the fastest 1000 runs in ODI mean?
This record depends on how many times a player goes out to bat (called innings) to score 1000 runs. It is not counted by how many matches or days it takes. If a player scores 1000 runs in 19 innings, they did it faster than someone who needed 25 innings.
When a player reaches 1000 runs beforehand, it reflects the batter as:
- Consistently scoring runs
- Performing well under pressure
- Helping their team win matches
Top 10 Fastest to 1000 Runs in ODI Cricket
Here are the top 10 players who scored 1000 ODI runs in the fewest innings:
| Rank | Player | Country | Innings | Opponent | Year |
| 1 | Fakhar Zaman | Pakistan | 18 | Zimbabwe | 2018 |
| 2 | Imam-ul-Haq | Pakistan | 19 | South Africa | 2019 |
| 3 | Shubman Gill | India | 19 | New Zealand | 2023 |
| 4 | Jonathan Trott | England | 21 | Ireland | 2011 |
| 5 | Babar Azam | Pakistan | 21 | Australia | 2017 |
| 6 | Viv Richards | West Indies | 21 | England | 1980 |
| 7 | Kevin Pietersen | England | 21 | India | 2006 |
| 8 | Quinton de Kock | South Africa | 21 | Zimbabwe | 2014 |
| 9 | Rassie van der Dussen | South Africa | 21 | Sri Lanka | 2021 |
| 10 | Shai Hope | West Indies | 22 | India | 2019 |
Highlight on Top Performers
Fakhar Zaman: 18 Innings
Fakhar Zaman was the only batsman to score the fastest ODI 1000 runs in 18 innings against Zimbabwe in 2018. This time, again, the pace to reach that number came from Fakhar’s aggressive batting style and the hitting of fours and sixes.
Shubman Gill: 19 Innings
Shubman Gill is the latest Indian cricketer to hit 1000 ODI runs in only 19 innings, which is tied with Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq, with the record of speed in 2023, as India was batting against New Zealand. Gill is known for scoring quickly when batting at the top and enjoys hitting a stylish shot.
Indian Players in the Fastest 1000 ODI Runs List
India has had many legendary batters, but only a few have reached 1000 runs very quickly. Here are the notable ones:
- Shubman Gill: 19 innings
- Virat Kohli: 24 innings
- Shikhar Dhawan: 24 innings
- Navjot Sidhu: 25 innings
Shubman Gill is now the fastest Indian batsman to reach 1000 ODI runs.
Importance of Fast Starts in Modern ODI Cricket
Modern ODI cricket is faster than ever before. With rules that help batters and flat pitches, players are scoring more runs in less time. Big powerplay overs, better bats, and aggressive mindsets help players reach 1000 runs quickly.
ODI cricket today is influenced by T20s. Players take risks, play innovative shots, and try to score at a higher strike rate.
