Quinton de Kock enters elite list of fastest to 7,000 ODI runs

Soumyajit Dutta

Virat Kohli, Quinton de Kock and Kane Williamson [Source: @sad_pinata/X.com]Virat Kohli, Quinton de Kock and Kane Williamson [Source: @sad_pinata/X.com]

ODI cricket has always been one of the hardest tests in a cricketer's professional testimonial. The grit, the resilience, the patience needed to tick all boxes and score runs is massive, and that is why only a handful of them have managed to cross the massive milestone of 7000 runs in their ODI career.

As Quinton de Kock slams yet another 50 against Pakistan in the 3rd ODI match for South Africa, he finds himself as one of the quickest batters to achieve this feat. Let's take a look at which batters in cricket were the fastest to 7000 ODI runs in cricket.

5) AB de Villiers - 166 innings

To start off with, there is the Proteas great AB de Villiers, who reached his 7000 ODI run milestone in just 166 innings. The flamboyant Mr. 360 played 228 ODI matches in his career and made 9577 runs in the process.

Throughout his 50-over career, he bagged 25 centuries and 53 half-centuries, which also underscores his fluency and rapid milestone achieving with the bat. Notably, the world record holder for fastest ODI hundred averages 53.50 in the format while having a strike rate of 101.09.

4) Virat Kohli - 161 innings

One of the greatest in the format, Virat Kohli, reached 7,000 ODI runs in just 161 innings from his career total of 305 matches. In the milestone match against Australia, Kohli produced a sublime 117 off 117 balls to achieve the landmark. 

Coming in at number three with India struggling at 15 for 1, his innings helped revive the side and post a total of 295 on the board. Although India eventually lost the match, Kohli’s legacy continues to shine as he reigns supreme in ODI records with over 14,000 runs at an average of 57.71 and 51 centuries to his name.

3) Kane Williamson - 159 innings

Kane “Humble” Williamson reached the 7,000-run mark in ODIs during his 159th match, where he scored a brilliant 133 against South Africa in a tri-nation series in Pakistan earlier this year. South Africa had posted a total of 304, and coming in at number three, Williamson was phenomenal as he built a solid partnership with Devon Conway. 

The chase saw New Zealand win by six wickets, and with this milestone, Williamson further cemented his legacy among the greats. He has now played 175 ODI matches, amassing 7,256 runs at an average of 48.69, including 47 half-centuries and 15 centuries.

2) Quinton de Kock - 158 innings

Quinton de Kock edged past Kane Williamson by just one inning as he completed his 7,000-run mark in ODIs from 158 innings during the 3rd ODI against Pakistan on November 8 at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. Batting first, de Kock opened the innings alongside Lhuan-dre Pretorius and scored 53 runs off 70 balls, hitting six boundaries and one six to reach the milestone. 

For the record, he has played 158 ODI matches, scoring 22 centuries, and continues to be one of the most dominant gloveworker behind the stumps in international cricket since his debut back in 2012.

1) Hashim Amla - 150 innings

Hashim Amla, the third South African on the list, is the fastest to reach 7,000 runs in ODIs, achieving the milestone in his 150th match against England. Chasing a modest target of 154, Amla started aggressively, scoring 55 runs in a 95-run opening stand with Quinton de Kock. 

The match, played eight years ago, still stands as a testament to Amla’s brilliance, as he remains the quickest to 7,000 ODI runs. Over his illustrious career, the veteran played 181 matches, amassing 8,113 runs at an average of 49.46, including 27 centuries and 39 half-centuries after facing 9,178 deliveries.