Five batters with most runs in Asia Cup history (ODI & T20I combined)

The world is about to experience a liftoff as preparations for the Asia Cup are underway in full swing. The epic rivalry between the Asian giants kicks off on September 9. Since this marquee tournament will be played in a T20 format, expectations of high scores and electrifying batting displays run rampant. Throughout the history of the Asia Cup, run-scoring has been aplenty, be it the T20 or ODI format. Legendary batting prodigies from India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan have gone on to script historic knocks that are still etched into the memories of die-hard fans to this day. 

Yet, when we look at the top five run-getters list of all time, only batters from India and Sri Lanka make the cut. Read on as we showcase the top five batters in the Asia Cup history to score the most runs. 

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Sanath Jayasuriya (ODI - 1220, T20I - N/A)

Jayasuriya was responsible for inflicting an unprecedented reign of terror, especially on the Indian bowlers. When in form, the Sri Lankan batting all-rounder would spare no one. To this day, he remains the highest run scorer in the history of the Asia Cup. Despite not playing long enough to feature in the T20 version of the Asia Cup, Jayasuriya's run tally still surpasses the contemporary greats like Kohli and Rohit. In 25 games, Jayasuriya amassed 1220 runs at a stunning average of 53 and managed six centuries and three half-centuries. With a strike rate of 102.2, Jayasuriya was a sheer menace with the willow. His best knock in the Asia Cup came against Bangladesh in 2008. In a winning cause, the all-rounder slammed a rapid 130 (88) to power Sri Lanka to an imposing 332-8. He partnered with Sangakkara at the top of the order to register a crushing 201-run opening stand, which virtually took the game away from Bangladesh well inside the first innings. 

Rohit Sharma (ODI - 939, T20I - 271)

The former Indian skipper marginally edges behind Jayasuriya with a tally of 1210. Rohit Sharma, who made his Asia Cup debut in 2008, took his own merry time to establish a foothold on the big stage. But when he did, there was no looking back. From 2013 onwards, Rohit rose to prominence and evolved into one of the most destructive openers in modern-day cricket. Unlike Jayasuriya, Rohit has been a part of the T20 versions of the Asia Cup that were played in 2016 & 2022. In the T20I version, Rohit has scored 271, which includes some match-winning cameos. However, the bulk of his Asia Cup runs came in the ODI format. Across 23 innings, Rohit plundered 939 runs at a remarkable average of 48.86, with one century and nine half-centuries to his name. His only century, which also happens to be his best Asia Cup knock, came against the arch-rivals Pakistan in 2018. Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan proved way too good for Pakistan as the duo registered a dominant 210-run stand for the opening wicket to roll over the Green Shirts shambolically by nine wickets. Rohit stayed unbeaten on 111* to steer India home with ease. With a fair bit of cricket still left in him, Rohit will be eyeing to go past Jayasuriya's record to become the highest run scorer in the history of the Asia Cup. 

Virat Kohli (ODI - 742, T20I - 429)

The chase master's heightened appetite for runs earns him a well-deserved third spot in this coveted list. Virat Kohli is the highest run-scorer in the T20I format with 429 runs to his name. The most iconic moment of his Asia Cup career came in the T20I format in 2022, when he ended a three-year-long century drought by silencing his critics with a match-winning century against Afghanistan. As for his record in the ODI format, Virat's numbers are equally impressive as his numbers from the shortest format. In 13 ODI innings, Virat has managed to maintain a jaw-dropping average of close to 62 and has registered a tally of 742 runs, which includes four breathtaking centuries. His best Asia Cup knock, which also happens to be his career-best ODI knock, came against Pakistan in the 2012 edition. Virat walked out to bat in a tricky situation, with India already two down for less than 10 runs on the board. But what followed was something way beyond everyone's comprehension. At a time when the momentum rested in favor of Pakistan, Virat's counter-attacking century changed the entire dynamics of the run chase.  With world-class bowlers like Ajmal, Wahab, and Hafeez to contend with, Virat went about his business and fought fire with fire to get India over the line on the back of his swashbuckling 183. 

Kumar Sangakkara (ODI - 1075, T20I - N/A)

The Sri Lankan batting genius comes fourth in the list with 1075 runs in 23 innings. But if we keep the T20I record aside, Sangakkara emerges as the second-best run scorer in the history of the Asia Cup. Although Sangakkara never got a chance to feature in the T20 edition of the Asia Cup, the tailsmatic wicketkeeper-batter unleashed enough carnage to establish himself as a force to reckon with in the ODI format. In 23 ODI innings, Sangakkara scored well above 1000 runs and maintained a healthy average of 48.86. Moreover, he also produced four tons and eight half-century scores, most of which had come in a winning cause. His highest score of 121 in the Asia Cup was achieved against Bangladesh during the 2008 Asia Cup edition in Pakistan. 

Sachin Tendulkar (ODI - 971, T20I - N/A)

When we talk about run scoring, no list is complete without the mention of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Being the highest all-time run getter in ODI and Test formats combined, to see his name appear at the fag end of the list is a tad bit surprising. From a period spanning from 1990 to 2012, Tendulkar featured across 21 ODI innings and amassed 971 runs at an impressive average of 51.10. In his extensive Asia Cup journey, Tendulkar witnessed moments of highs and lows. However, unlike his batting rivals, the little master could only manage two centuries. Nevertheless, he managed to complete seven half-century scores and maintained a healthy strike rate of nearly 85. His best Asia Cup knock, which could arguably be the most magical moment of his life, was against Bangladesh when he racked up a brilliant 114 to bring up his 100th international ton, a feat that is almost impossible to break in the contemporary era.