Stats: Chronicling the fastest batsmen to complete 3000 runs in ODIs

Among the myriad records prevalent in cricket are the fastest to 1000, 2000, 3000 ODI runs and so on. With the 50-over format evolving constantly, batsmen have been devising efficient ways to pile on the runs against different types of bowlers on various pitches across the globe. As a result, batting records keep getting broken with consummate ease on a regular basis.

South African stalwart Hashim Amla currently holds the record for being the quickest batsman to score 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 runs in ODI history. Although his numbers in ICC events may not meet such high standards, the right-hander has been one of the most consistent run-makers in bilateral matches during recent times.

For the 3000-run mark, he broke the record previously possessed by Caribbean legend Sir Vivian Richards. Way ahead of his time, the batting maestro from West Indies demolished even accomplished bowling attacks by imposing himself on them.

Having reached gargantuan heights hitherto seen in the game, Richards took 69 innings to reach 3000 runs in ODIs and held the record for as many as 28 years before Amla eventually surpassed him. The Durban-born batsman needed just 57 innings to break the record.

Not surprisingly, six of the quickest batsmen to accomplish the landmark belong to the present era. Apart from Richards, the likes of Gordon Greenidge, Graham Gooch and Gary Kirsten reached the milestone before the current millennium.

With surfaces becoming more and more batting-friendly, the modern-day batsmen are consistently notching up massive scores and thus breaking numerous records in the process.

In a similar vein to Greenidge and Kirsten, Shikhar Dhawan and Joe Root took 72 innings to get to 3000 runs. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson required 73 innings while South Africa’s exuberant wicket-keeper batsman needed 74 innings to reach the landmark. Indian run machine Virat Kohli achieved the milestone in 75 innings even as Graham Gooch did the same in 76 innings.

Among the most promising batsmen straddling the arena, Pakistan’s Babar Azam is in with the best chance to transcend Amla’s mark. The 22-year old needs 1591 runs from his next 27 innings. Even if he does not eclipse the summit, he is likely to barge his way into the list of ten fastest batsmen to complete 3000 runs in ODIs.

Fastest to 3000 ODI runs

Batsman	Team	Matches	Innings Taken	Debut	Year of Record	Opposition	Venue
Hashim Amla	South Africa	59	57	2008	2012	England	Southampton
Sir Viv Richards	West Indies	74	69	1975	1984	England	Manchester
Gordon Greenidge	West Indies	72	72	1975	1986	Pakistan	Peshawar
Gary Kirsten	South Africa	72	72	1993	1997	New Zealand	Adelaide
Shikhar Dhawan	India	73	72	2010	2016	Australia	Canberra
Joe Root	England	77	72	2013	2016	Pakistan	Leeds
Kane Williamson	New Zealand	78	73	2010	2015	England	Nottingham
Quinton de Kock	South Africa	74	74	2013	2017	Sri Lanka	Centurion
Virat Kohli	India	78	75	2008	2012	Sri Lanka	Adelaide
Graham Gooch	England	77	76	1976	1990	West Indies	Port of Spain

(*Note: All Statistics are accurate as of 16^th June 2017)