Run Machine of cricket, is a term often used in cricket for players who consistently perform for their team at the highest levels. You may have heard commentators use this term when describing a player’s ability and hunger to score runs in international cricket.
Now if you ask, who is the run machine of cricket in the modern era? The answer might vary according to the format we are talking about. There are many active players like Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, David Warner, Babar Azam, and Kane Williamson, who can be considered the contenders for this title.
But the question remains, who is the run machine of cricket?
If we consider all formats of the game, then Virat Kohli is the run machine of cricket. His stats in every format of the game tell a story of why he is the run machine and GOAT of cricket.
According to fans and cricket experts, Virat Kohli is the run machine of cricket. They believe that he is the most deserving player for the title. If you are a cricket fan, you are no stranger to Virat Kohli’s exploits in international cricket. His impressive form and consistency are no secret as he piles up runs for his country and franchise whenever he plays.
His aggressive approach to the game makes him a force to reckon with and a popular personality among fans. Despite a blip in his performances during the COVID years, fans supported and backed him to come up strong.
Now, let’s take a look at what makes Virat Kohli worthy of the run machine in cricket title.
We all know the hunger and consistency of Virat Kohli making him the most popular cricketer in the entire world. He scores a ton of runs whenever he takes the field and his stats speak for himself. This hunger for excellence in each format of game allows him to score consistently at international and domestic tournaments.
But you might be wondering why the ‘run machine of cricket’ title is bestowed upon Virat. Well, he has some crazy stats in all formats of the game and we will look at them.
If you are wondering who is known as a run machine in cricket, then the stats of Virat Kohli in the ODI format will show you why he is given this title.
Virat is probably the greatest ever player to play the game of cricket in the ODI format. He has phenomenal records in ODI cricket. We always used to think that Sachin Tendulkar’s 49-century record in ODI is impossible for anyone to break. But Virat Kohli scaled this milestone of 50 ODI hundred in only 292 matches, whereas Sachin took 463 matches to reach this milestone.
Apart from hundreds, he also has second highest runs in ODI cricket, only behind Sachin. Virat Kohli made 13848 runs in 292 matches with an average of 58.68. In the modern era, no one even comes close to what Virat Kohli has achieved in the ODI format of the game.
| M | Inn | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 292 | 280 | 13848 | 183 | 58.67 | 93.58 | 50 | 0 | 72 |
Here are some records of run machine Virat Kohli in ODI format.
Virat is amongst the best modern-day players in test cricket. He is talked about alongside Joe Root, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, David Warner, and more. All these cricketing superstars have impressive test records. But I think Virat is a bit behind these legends of cricket in test format. But still, he is better than 99% of players playing this format.
As of now, Virat has 8848 runs in Test cricket with an average of 49.16.
| M | Inn | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 113 | 191 | 8848 | 254 | 49.15 | 55.56 | 29 | 7 | 30 |
He holds many records in test cricket as well. Here is the list of records of run machine Kohli.
Also Read: Top 10 Fastest Stumping in Cricket History: From MS Dhoni to Brandon McCullum
In the T20I format, Virat has positioned himself as one of the most complete players. He can play according to the situation and accelerate whenever the team requires. Virat Holds the record for most runs in T20Is. He made 4037 runs in 117 matches at an average of 51.75.
The average is the highest among players who have scored more than 1000 runs in T20Is. With such a stellar record and no century to his name, people used to criticize him for it. But then, he silenced his critics when he scored a century in the T20I World Cup against Afghanistan in 2022. In the same World Cup, he played a memorable knock of 82 in 52 balls against Pakistan.
| M | Inn | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | 117 | 109 | 4037 | 122 | 51.76 | 138.16 | 1 | 0 | 37 |
Now, let’s take a look at T20I records of the run machine of cricket.
Over the years IPL has featured batters like AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Brandon McCullum, and David Warner who entertained us with their flair and approach towards the game. Despite having batters like these, Virat Kohli holds the record for most runs in a single season giving him the title king of IPL. He made 973 runs in 14 matches in the 2016 IPL season.
Apart from this, he also has the most career runs in IPL as well. He scored 7263 runs with a 37.24 average and 130.02 career strike rate in 237 games. He has always dominated the opposition bowlers whenever he takes the field with Red and Black. He also holds the record for the highest partnership in IPL with AB de Villiers, making 229 runs against Gujrat Lions in 2016.
| M | Inn | Runs | HS | Avg | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 237 | 229 | 7263 | 113 | 37.25 | 130.02 | 7 | 0 | 50 |
Some Records:
There are many other contenders for the ‘Run Machine of Cricket” title, including past Legends like, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, Alastair Cook, and Brian Lara. They were not only the greatest batsmen but some of them were successful captains of their time.
But the contenders from the current players list include:
To conclude, we can say that this nickname is subjective depending upon the choice of an individual, but overall, Virat Kohli is the strongest contender for this title.
By looking at Kohli’s exploits in international and domestic tournaments, it’s hard to argue against him for this coveted “Run Machine of Cricket” title. We are confident that Virat will continue to add runs to his tally and entertain us with his stroke play on the field.
Read Next: Who is the Goat of Cricket?
Ans:
Virat Kohli has scored 765 runs in ODI World Cup which is the highest scored by any batter. He has over five 100s and 25 50s.
Ans: Virat Kohli has the highest centuries record in ODI. He recently scored his 50th international 100 against New Zealand in the ODI World Cup.
Ans: Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, and Adam Gilchrist equally won three world cups.
Ans: Glenn Maxwell scored the fastest century in the World Cup against the Netherlands, scoring 106 runs in just 40 balls on 25th October 2023.
