New Delhi: When the Indian team score the first run on December 5 against South Africa in the first one-dayer in Johannesburg, they will become the highest run-scoring team in the 50-over format of the game.
India and Australia are currently levelled on 1,82,881 runs from 841 (a world record) and 825 matches respectively.
Australia, though, have far better winning percentage, having won 505 matches as against 423 of India. They have also scored more runs per match.
Pakistan are at the third spot among countries who have scored the most ODI runs with 1,71,982 from 807 matches, followed by Sri Lanka on 1,46,365 and the West Indies on 1,45,260.
India are likely to remain on top for some time as they play five ODIs against New Zealand after the three-match South Africa series.
Australia, on the other hand, play five ODIs against England after the Ashes.
During the South Africa tour, Indian captain MS Dhoni is also expected to reach two personal milestones. He can become the Indian captain with the highest ODI runs while leading the side. The record of most ODI wins by an Indian captain may also be his.
Dhoni has made 5,213 runs from 151 matches as captain and he is 26 runs behind Mohammed Azharuddin, who has 5,239 runs from 174 ODIs as skipper.
If India sweep the ODI series against South Africa, then Dhoni will also go past Azharuddin as the India captain who has won the most number of ODIs under his charge. Under Azharuddin, India won 90 matches as against 88 under Dhoni’s captaincy so far. (PTI)