Cricket World Cup History: Top 10 highest run-scorers in the tournament (1975-2015)

With only two days left for Cricket World Cup 2019 to start, the excitement among the fans has reached fever pitch. All the teams are getting ready for the high-octane tournament, leaving no stone unturned in their preparations.

Over the past 11 editions of the World Cup, there have been several batsmen who have regaled their spectators with their stroke-play and run accumulation. Here, we take a look at the top 10 run-scorers in the history of the tournament:

#10 Adam Gilchrist (1999-2007)

One of the best wicketkeeper batsmen Australia cricket has ever had, Adam Gilchrist took part in 31 innings in the World Cup. In those 31 innings, he scored 1085 runs at an average of 36.48.

Gilchrist also smashed one century and eight fifties across the three World Cups he played for his country.

#9 Mahela Jayawardene (1999-2015)

One of Sri Lanka's finest batsmen who took his cricketing skills to great heights, Mahela Jayawardene played 34 World Cup innings in which he scored 1100 runs in total. His batting average was 35.48 and he smashed 4 centuries and 5 fifties in all the World Cups he took part in for his country.

#8 Tillakaratne Dilshan (2007-2015)

Another Sri Lankan batsman who carved out a great reputation for himself, Tillakaratne Dilshan scored 1112 runs in the 25 innings he played for his country in the ICC World Cup.

His batting average was an impressive 52.95, and he smashed 4 hundreds and 4 fifties in World Cup matches.

#7 Jacques Kallis (1996-2011)

Jacques Kallis is easily one of the greatest all-rounders of all time. The South African played in 32 World Cup innings and scored 1148 runs. He also smashed 1 century and 9 half-centuries with an average of 45.95.

#6 Sanath Jayasuriya (1992-2007)

The third Sri Lankan on this list is batting legend Sanath Jayasuriya, who played 37 innings in the World Cup. In those 37 innings, Jayasuriya scored 1165 runs at an average of 34.33. He smashed 3 centuries and 6 fifties in World Cup matches.

Also read - Most wickets in world cup year wise

#5 AB De Villiers (2007-2015)

AB de Villiers, one of the most stylish batsmen in the world, participated in three World Cups in total. He played 23 innings and scored 1207 runs.

De Villiers was a great fielder too, and a terrific athlete overall. He smashed 4 centuries and 7 fifties.

#4 Brian Lara (1992-20017)

The West Indian cricketing legend Brian Lara played 33 innings and scored 1225 runs with an average of 42.24. He smashed 2 centuries and 7 fifties.

Lara was a huge impact player for West Indies and made his team proud on several occasions.

#3 Kumar Sangakkara (20013-2015)

Another wicketkeeper-batsman who achieved great success in the batting department, Kumar Sangakkara played 35 World Cup innings and scored 1532 runs in total.

His batting average was 56.74 in the World Cup. He smashed 5 centuries (including four in a row at the 2015 edition, a world record) and 7 fifties and was a great servant for his team.

#2 Ricky Ponting (1996-2011)

One of the greatest batting legends the world has ever seen on the cricket field, Ricky Ponting played 42 innings in which he scored 1743 runs. His batting average was 45.95 and he smashed 5 centuries and 6 fifties.

Ponting captained and won 2 World Cup titles for Australia, and at one point his team was regarded as invincible. He was one of the most successful captains in the history of cricket.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar (1992-2011)

We now come to the man who needs no introduction. Also known as the 'God Of Cricket', Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar scored 2278 runs in the World Cup in 44 innings, at an impressive average of 56.95. He smashed 6 centuries and 15 fifties, both records.