Fastest Players to Score 1000/2000/3000/4000 Runs in ODI History

By: Cricbites | October 29, 2025

Cricket is often described as a game of perseverance, but even in the longest format, very few batsmen can combine stamina and pace. From the era of Sir Donald Bradman to modern stars like Labuschagne, the art of scoring runs quickly in ODIs has evolved dramatically. Reaching each thousand-run milestone demonstrates a player’s ability to dominate world-class bowling. In this blog, we will tell you about the fastest players in ODI history. While we are at it, we will also reach these four major batting milestones, exploring their feats, timelines and impact on the game.

Fastest to 1000 Runs in ODI History

Scoring 1000 runs in ODI cricket is the start of a successful international career. It has taken many batsmen years to achieve it, while some have done it with remarkable speed and consistency.

Top 10 Fastest to 1000 ODI Runs

Rank	Player	Country	Innings	Years Taken
1	Sir Donald Bradman	Australia	13	1Y 72D
2	Herbert Sutcliffe	England	12	2Y 103D
3	George Headley	West Indies	15	3Y 92D
4	Everton Weekes	West Indies	12	1Y 251D
5	Neil Harvey	Australia	14	2Y 169D
6	Vinod Kambli	India	14	1Y 205D
7	Matthew Hayden	Australia	14	2Y 143D
8	Kevin Pietersen	England	16	1Y 230D
9	Marnus Labuschagne	Australia	16	2Y 64D
10	Gary Ballance	England	17	2Y 38D

Analysis: Sir Donald Bradman holds the top spot for 13 innings, a record that is unlikely to ever be broken. His average of 99.94 shows how impressive he was even in his early career. Modern batsmen like Labuschagne are also on this list, proving that aggressive playing styles can succeed in ODIs.

Fastest to 2000 Runs in ODI History

After the first 1000 runs, it becomes difficult to maintain a run-scoring rhythm as conditions change. But the later players did not bowl slowly, they only improved.

Top 10 Fastest to 2000 ODI Runs

Rank	Player	Country	Innings	Years Taken
1	Sir Donald Bradman	Australia	22	2Y 31D
2	George Headley	West Indies	32	5Y 142D
3	Herbert Sutcliffe	England	33	5Y 265D
4	Everton Weekes	West Indies	31	3Y 268D
5	Marnus Labuschagne	Australia	34	3Y 112D
6	Michael Clarke	Australia	35	3Y 182D
7	Vinod Kambli	India	35	2Y 206D
8	Mohammad Yousuf	Pakistan	36	3Y 127D
9	Steve Smith	Australia	37	4Y 88D
10	Joe Root	England	37	3Y 299D

Analysis: Bradman once again holds the top spot, having completed 2000 runs in just 22 innings. Among the modern players, Labuschagne stands out, demonstrating the influence of Australia’s number three since his debut in 2019.

Fastest to 3000 Runs in ODI History

Completing 3000 runs means establishing one’s place among the best batsmen in the world. The 3000 run club comprises players who have consistently scored runs across conditions and formats.

Top 10 Fastest to 3000 ODI Runs

Rank	Player	Country	Innings	Years Taken
1	Sir Donald Bradman	Australia	33	3Y 198D
2	George Headley	West Indies	42	7Y 201D
3	Herbert Sutcliffe	England	45	6Y 99D
4	Everton Weekes	West Indies	46	5Y 123D
5	Marnus Labuschagne	Australia	51	4Y 83D
6	Steve Smith	Australia	54	5Y 271D
7	Ricky Ponting	Australia	55	6Y 194D
8	Virat Kohli	India	57	6Y 189D
9	Hashim Amla	South Africa	58	6Y 276D
10	Joe Root	England	59	6Y 340D

Analysis: Bradman completed 3000 runs in 33 innings. Labuschagne reappeared, becoming the fastest player to reach the milestone in the modern era. The presence of Smith, Kohli and Root shows how modern cricket continues to produce high-scoring players across the ages.

Fastest to 4000 Runs in ODI History

Reaching 4000 ODI runs solidifies a player’s legacy. This milestone often defines the transformation from a talented young player to a proven ODI veteran.

Top 10 Fastest to 4000 ODI Runs

Rank	Player	Country	Innings	Years Taken
1	Sir Donald Bradman	Australia	48	6Y 57D
2	George Headley	West Indies	54	10Y 59D
3	Herbert Sutcliffe	England	55	8Y 138D
4	Everton Weekes	West Indies	58	7Y 271D
5	Marnus Labuschagne	Australia	60	5Y 156D
6	Steve Smith	Australia	66	7Y 200D
7	Virat Kohli	India	69	7Y 216D
8	Ricky Ponting	Australia	70	8Y 84D
9	Kane Williamson	New Zealand	70	7Y 306D
10	Joe Root	England	71	8Y 53D

Analysis: Bradman’s dominance continues, 4000 runs in just 48 innings is unparalleled in history. The rise of Labuschagne, Kohli and Smith shows that aggressive, ODI batting can achieve milestones faster than ever before.

Evolution of Run-Scoring Speed in ODIs

In the early 20th century, ODI matches were played on open pitches, and the conditions were very favourable for bowlers. Yet, players like Bradman and Hadlee managed to score freely with technique and temperament.

In the modern era, faster milestones have been achieved due to better pitches, advanced equipment and aggressive intent. Batsmen like Smith and Kohli play well under pressure, showing that scoring rate and consistency can go hand in hand.

Why Scoring Quickly in ODIs is So Hard

Unlike ODIs or T20s, ODIs challenge players with:

Changing conditions: Swing, spin, and variable bounce across five days.
Mental endurance: Long innings require immense concentration.
Opposition quality: Facing fresh bowlers, reverse swing, and aggressive field settings.

Thus, maintaining a high run rate while being consistent is one of the toughest tasks in cricket.

Comparison: Bradman vs Modern Greats

Milestone	Bradman (Innings)	Virat Kohli	Steve Smith	Joe Root	Marnus Labuschagne
1000 Runs	13	19	19	20	16
2000 Runs	22	39	37	37	34
3000 Runs	33	57	54	59	51
4000 Runs	48	69	66	71	60

Observation: Bradman achieved each milestone in about half his innings. Yet, Labuschagne’s presence alongside Smith and Root shows how high-quality ODI batting has become.

Players with Fastest Aggregate Progression (1000-4000 Runs)

If we measure the total innings taken to progress from debut to 4000 runs, these names stand out:

Sir Donald Bradman (AUS): 48 innings
Marnus Labuschagne (AUS): 60 innings
Everton Weekes (WI): 58 innings
Steve Smith (AUS): 66 innings
Virat Kohli (IND): 69 innings
Kane Williamson (NZ): 70 innings
Joe Root (ENG): 71 innings
George Headley (WI): 54 innings
Herbert Sutcliffe (ENG): 55 innings
Ricky Ponting (AUS): 70 innings

This progression shows the continued dominance of Australian batters historically.

Key Insights

Bradman’s supremacy: No one has come close to matching his run-scoring speed.
Modern efficiency: Players like Smith have shown that modern cricket allows for sped up scoring with new technique.
Balanced batting era: Kohli and Root bring stability and fire, proving that fast scoring and long careers can coexist.
Changing times: Better fitness and scheduling help modern batters play more ODIs in shorter periods.

Conclusion

From Bradman’s dominance to Root’s modern rise, the fastest to score 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 ODI runs mark the evolution of batting. Each of these milestones demonstrates not only the bowlers’ dominance, but also their mastery of timing, patience and pressure. The journey from 1000 to 4000 runs defines a batsman’s identity, and cricket continues to evolve.

But for now, one truth remains intact! Sir Donald Bradman’s records still define greatness, while modern stars continue to pursue his great legacy.

FAQs: People Also Ask

Q1. Who is the fastest player to 1000 runs in ODI history?

This record is in the name of Sir Donald Bradman, who completed 1000 runs in just 13 innings.

Q2. Which modern player reached 2000 ODI runs the Fastest?

Marnus Labuschagne achieved this feat in just 34 innings, the fastest among modern players.