4 players who are likely to cross 10,000 ODI runs in 2018

Milestones in cricket are perhaps cherished more by the fans rather than the players themselves. While it has been seen that international stars don't believe in counting runs and records, these are part of what makes them go down in sports history.

10,000 runs in ODIs is regarded as one of the biggest milestones in a cricketer's career since only a few of them have able to reach the mark. There are only 11 players who have entered the elite club ever since the inception of the 50 overs format, and this shows the class of the players who have been able to achieve it.

India has the highest number of players who have scored more than 10,000 runs in ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid are the only three Indian batsmen who have achieved the feat, while MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli are slated to join them very soon.

Here is a list of the players who may reach the 10,000 runs mark this year.

#4 Virat Kohli (9030 runs)

Virat Kohli does not need any introduction these days when it comes to international cricket. The run machine is in the form of his life and is successfully leading the Indian cricket team. In 2017, the Indian skipper emerged as the highest runs scorer in ODIs after he ended the year with 1460 runs.

Overall Kohli has scored 9030 runs in 202 ODIs at an average of 55.74 which is the highest among batsmen who have scored more than 5000 runs in ODIs. He is 970 runs short of reaching the 10,000 runs mark and overseeing his form it looks like he may achieve the feat by the end of this year.

Kohli will be the fifth Indian to enter the club after Dhoni, who in all probability is going to be the fourth Indian after Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid.

#3 Chris Gayle (9420 runs)

The hard-hitting West Indian batsman has been in and out of the international team for more than a year now. It's clearly visible that the 'universe-boss' is fading away with time owing to his age and may call it a day in international cricket soon.

The left-handed batsman has scored tons of runs for the West Indies, collecting 9420 runs in 275 ODIs. He has scored 22 tons and 48 half-centuries in the 50 overs format. Even though there is only a slight chance that he may be consistent in the West Indies side this year, Gayle can reach the 10,000 ODI runs mark in a few matches if he gets some ODI games.

Currently, Gayle is ranked 16th on the list of the highest run scorers in ODIs and is 580 runs short of reaching the 10,000 runs landmark. Brian Lara is the only West Indies batsman in the 10,000 ODI runs elite club and Gayle may be the second one to join the list.

#2 AB de Villiers (9515 runs)

The legendary South African batsman is at his destructive best on his day and can hammer even the best of the bowlers for huge sixes. AB de Villiers holds the record for the fastest fifty, the fastest hundred and fastest 150 in ODIs and this is enough to define his capabilities.

In 225 One Day Internationals that he has played for South Africa, de Villiers has collected 9515 runs at an average of 54.06. He has scored 25 centuries and 53 fifties in the 50 overs format. His strike-rate of 101.07 is the highest among players who have scored more than 9000 runs in ODIs.

Currently, he is placed 15th on the list of the highest run scorers in ODIs and is 485 runs short of the landmark. He will be only the second South African to enter the 10,000 runs elite club. Jacques Kallis is the other South African who has achieved the feat.

#1 M.S Dhoni (9898 runs)

The former Indian skipper is one of the best ODI players in the world. In 312 ODI matches that he has played, Dhoni has collected 9898 runs at an average of 51.55. He has scored 10 hundred and 67 fifties till now in the 50 overs format His average of 51.55 is higher than any of the top-10 highest run scorers in ODIs.

He is placed 12th on the list of the all-time highest run scorer in ODIs. As of now he has scored 9898 runs in the 50 overs format and is just 102 runs short of reaching the 10,000 runs milestone. He will be the fourth Indian to enter the elite club.

Dhoni will most probably reach the landmark in the ODI series against South Africa which begins on February 1.