Fastest Runner in Cricket: Data, Rankings & FAQs - Best Cricket Betting Sites in India

The conversation about the fastest runner in cricket always starts loudly and ends quietly, because there is no official ICC metric for “fastest between the wickets.” Still, patterns repeat across formats and eras: the same names keep turning up in analyst notes, dressing-room stories, and freeze-framed TV timings. If you want the quick, direct answer: consistently cited as the fastest runners in cricket history are MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, David Warner, and Ravindra Jadeja. Others who belong in any serious conversation include Faf du Plessis, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (for efficiency), and more recently Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam as a pair. My ranking below explains why. But first, we must define what “fastest” actually means.

What “fastest” means between the wickets

No radar gun, no official stopwatch, no sanctioned 22-yard sprint leaderboard. So, the only credible way to talk about the fastest runner between the wickets is to declare your criteria. Mine are based on how players actually win runs:

Pure 22-yard acceleration: Standing-start time over 22 yards (20.12 m), both directions. It’s the sprinter’s piece.
Turn quality: The single biggest separator. The plant, pivot, and re-acceleration.
Conversion rate: Ones turned into twos, and twos into threes, adjusted for field and format.
Run-out avoidance: Dismissals per innings and per attempted second/third run.
Decision speed and communication: Calling, backing up, and reading fields mid-stride.
Game state awareness: Choosing the right moments to push for the extra run.

Typical elite benchmarks (observational, broadcast-timed, and S&C-coach validated ranges)

Metric | Why it matters | Elite range

Metric	Why it matters	Elite range
22-yard sprint from a standing start	Raw acceleration to the crease	roughly 3.0–3.3 s
Time to complete a two (both directions)	Speed + turn quality + decision speed	roughly 7.0–7.6 s
Time to complete a three	Endurance + line choice + two turns	roughly 10.8–11.8 s
Top in-run speed	Speed across a cricket-specific distance	roughly 24–28 km/h
Run-out rate per innings	Risk management proxy	extremely low for the very best

These numbers are ranges because conditions swing wildly: damp turf increases friction and reduces traction; soft outfields bind spikes; hard, fast pitches and firm squares help acceleration. Camera timings also introduce error. That said, repeated broadcast analyses and team S&C testing agree on the shape of the data. When you see a pro covering 22 yards from a standing start in under about 3.0 seconds, you are watching an outlier.

All-time fastest runners between the wickets

MS Dhoni

At his peak, you could measure Dhoni’s speed in heartbeats. The first three steps punched hard, the bat drop and slide came late and flat, and the turn was textbook—plant the inside foot, keep the hips low, swing the bat around like a rudder, and explode. What separated him wasn’t just acceleration; it was courage married to calculation. Dhoni read the ball off the bat better than most, called early, and had a sense for when fielders were off balance. He owned angles—running on the correct side of the pitch to shape the shortest V to turn and using his bat as a long lever in the dive. He and Suresh Raina were a running clinic. Ask bowlers who had to chase, stoop, and throw for twenty overs with Dhoni on strike: there was a relentlessness to his twos that broke shoulders—figuratively and sometimes literally.

AB de Villiers

AB had the best turn of the modern era. He ran like a hockey player on grass—fast feet, open hips, one smooth, low pivot, then re-acceleration without an extra step. The feet-to-bat coordination stood out. He could slide the bat early while still accelerating, which shaved tenths off his second run. If you timed AB’s first 22 yards, you’d get an elite number; if you timed his second 22 yards after a turn, you’d get something even more special. He also played the mind game: subtle fakes, reading the deep’s weaker hand, a half step down the pitch to buy first-motion advantage. De Villiers is often cited for improvisation with the bat; between the wickets, the improvisation is just as surgical.

Virat Kohli

The king of the conversion rate. Kohli’s running is about sustained intensity and relentless pressure. What he may give up to the absolute fastest starters, he reclaims in consistency: near-perfect calls, a ridiculous second wind for the last five meters, and almost no wasted steps into or out of the turn. Watch him in the middle overs: it’s a metronome. He gets his head around before the turn, runs a true inside line, and grows a single into a two without fuss. Across ODI and T20 cricket, he probably adds more runs by running than anyone else in this era: fewer dot balls, more twos, safe threes when the boundary is long and the outfielder is slightly off. If you need a safe second under pressure, you want Kohli involved.

Suresh Raina

Raina is the runner teammates dream of: loud caller, early caller, and electric first step. If Raina moved, you moved. He took ownership of angles in the ring, especially on slow decks where the deep midwicket throw takes time to reach the keeper. The Dhoni–Raina partnership stands as the gold standard for “pairs” running in Indian cricket: aggressively safe, if that makes sense. They knew the fielders, counted shoulders mid-over, and picked on weaker arms ruthlessly.

David Warner

Warner doesn’t just take twos; he bullies them. Watch him in the first ten overs of a white-ball innings: the batsman at the other end is hanging on for dear life. The first three steps are violent, the head stays forward, and the bat drags late with maximum reach. As a left-hander, he flips certain angles—deep midwicket and square can be surprise targets for a second on both sides. Warner’s habits also stand out: a deep pre-delivery crouch at the non-striker’s end, feet dancing, already spring-loaded to back up. Ball hits bat, he’s halfway.

Ravindra Jadeja

Call it feline running. Jadeja has spring—quick off the mark and quick through the turn. He’s a danger on big grounds where threes live. As with his fielding, his running is compact, economical, and happy to put the opposition under stress. Jadeja’s best trait is choosing violence when the thrower is off balance: that tiny misfield in the deep that another batter ignores—Jadeja is gone for two.

Faf du Plessis

Faf is a fitness blueprint. He runs with a sprinter’s posture and trains like one. In T20 leagues, his two-run appetite reshapes defensive fields: captains drag square fielders deeper because Faf will otherwise milk twos all night. He’s especially good at recognizing outfielders’ starting positions. If you’re three meters in from the rope, Faf is thinking about your turn and the way your momentum drags you into a slightly loopy throw.

Martin Guptill

Guptill at full flight is poetry. He’s one of those batters who, if paired with a similar mover, can turn even strong boundary riders into nervous wrecks. He has the long sprinter’s stride, but with a tight, disciplined bat slide into the crease. Big grounds in New Zealand and Australia made him an all-run specialist: comfortable with threes, not just twos.

Kane Williamson

Williamson is the thinking runner. Not the raw fastest, but he wastes nothing. You rarely see him shut down half a step early or overrun a crease. He’s the one timing the deep fielder’s throw to the keeper’s end, quietly shepherding a partner through safe seconds against strong arms. In a “fastest runner” piece, Williamson belongs as the craft master who makes fast look inevitable.

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam (as a pair)

Rizwan is a terrier: hyperactive feet, huge engine, fearless second runs, happy to contest threes on big grounds. Babar is the ballast: superb judge of angles, little wasted motion, and an excellent reader of boundary riders’ depth. Together, they are one of the most efficient white-ball running pairs right now, constantly translating ones to twos even when the boundary doesn’t come.

Fastest runner in cricket right now: a field leader-board

Rankings are opinion unless they’re methodology-backed. Using the criteria above—standing-start acceleration, turn speed, conversion rate, run-out avoidance, and decision-making—here’s a current shortlist. It is format-agnostic and focuses on the players you’ll actually watch today.

Virat Kohli — Still the master of pressure twos.
Mohammad Rizwan — Furnace engine, fearless legs.
David Warner — First-step violence and elite backing up.
Ravindra Jadeja — Angles plus acceleration, dangerous threes.
Faf du Plessis — Conditioning meets craft; brilliant at reading fields.
Babar Azam — Efficient, measured, sharp decision-maker.
Glenn Phillips — Sneaky quick, superb turn, agile lower body.
Kane Williamson — Efficiency king; makes partners faster.
Ishan Kishan — Excellent burst; high-aggression running intent.
Ruturaj Gaikwad — Clean turns, smart angles, strong calls.

You could slot in Axar Patel, Shubman Gill, Travis Head, or Daryl Mitchell depending on format and role. Runners evolve with fitness cycles; the difference between good and elite is often a single step at the turn.

Fastest runner in IPL: who owns the 22 yards?

The IPL rewards clarity. Grounds vary wildly; some surfaces are lightning, others sticky and slow. Boundaries can be small, all but killing the three; then you land in a big bowl with fat square boundaries and threes come alive. Across this chaos, the same running truths win.

Historical IPL pace-setters:

MS Dhoni: Devastating in the death overs. Backed by Raina and Jadeja through different phases, Dhoni’s twos on big grounds feel inevitable.
Suresh Raina: The torch bearer of aggressive, intelligent running in the tournament’s early age; contagious energy, perfect partner for Dhoni.
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers: The archetypal pair. Kohli’s conversion engine plus AB’s turn equals pressure without slogging. They could run bowlers into predictable bowling plans just by rotating with malice.
David Warner: Front-line example of how to build a T20 powerplay without reckless swings—run hard, build pressure, steal twos into the pocket at midwicket and square.
Ravindra Jadeja: Death-overs thief. One clean clip into the deep, two runs before the throw is set.

Current IPL pace-setters to watch:

Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis: They run one of the smartest inside lines in the league, using each other’s angles and fitness.
Ishan Kishan: Opens angles as a lefty; excellent first step.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: More subtlety than raw speed; draws twos without high risk.
Mohammad Rizwan (when involved in franchise leagues): Same battery life, same intent.
David Warner: Stride length and agitation at the non-striker’s end still elite.

The IPL’s running pattern: on small grounds with quick outfields, twos come off mishits into wide open square spaces; on big grounds, the third run is the true separator. Watch who attacks the second run even with the ball already in the deep fielder’s hand—that’s the fast runner’s mindset.

Fastest runner in T20 cricket

T20 asks for instant acceleration, repeatability under fatigue, and attention to the non-striker’s craft. The most underrated piece in T20 is the back-up at the non-striker’s end. The best runners load their hips with a split-step as the ball lands; if they move exactly on impact, they steal a step. In T20, a stolen step is half a run.

Leaders across T20 settings:

Mohammad Rizwan: High frequency of high-intensity runs; ready-made for T20.
Virat Kohli: Not just quick—chooses perfect moments, almost never runs partners out.
David Warner: Exerts tempo through movement alone; fielders panic.
Glenn Phillips: Cat-quick through the turn; deceptively fast in spikes.
Ravindra Jadeja: Death-phase special; ruthless reader of sloppy throws.

Fastest runner in ODI cricket

ODIs reward aerobic base and attention to big-ground geometry. The middle overs are a running contest: dot balls are defeat, singles are the tax, twos are gold. The top ODI runners are those who keep their heart-rate profile high but not frantic, committing to long sequences of back-to-back twos without skill drop-off.

Leaders across ODI settings:

Virat Kohli: The engine never stalls. Twos piled on as a habit, not a special event.
Kane Williamson: Clean decision-making, minimal risk, maximum value.
David Warner: First ten overs energy; engages deep riders early.
Babar Azam: Very few mistakes; safe aggression.
Martin Guptill: Historical three-run master on big fields.

Fastest runner in Test cricket

Tests magnify efficiency and patience. Singles and twos here are not just about speed; they’re about keeping bowlers unhappy. The elite Test runner conserves energy, calls cleanly, and chooses battles. On slow days, twos can tilt a session. On crispy surfaces, straight-line speed matters, but most runs are stolen with early calls and good backing up.

Leaders across Test settings:

Virat Kohli: Probably the most consistent Test runner of the modern era.
Kane Williamson: Makes an innings breathe; never scrappy at the turn.
David Warner: Converts pressure immediately, especially in early overs.
Ravindra Jadeja: Applies white-ball habits to Test geometry on big grounds.
Marnus Labuschagne: Not a pure speedster, but relentless in craft and calling.

Best running pairs in cricket

A great pair is bigger than two fast players. It’s trust, a shared language, mirrored habits, and the same definition of risk. The fittest pair will fail if they disagree about a second run into a strong arm. The safest pair can defeat most boundary riders because their calls are early and their turns are synchronized.

Top partnerships to study:

Dhoni–Raina: The exemplar in Indian cricket. Loud calls, instant reads, and a sixth sense for the extra run. Opposition fielders took an extra step in to cut twos knowing this pair was prowling.
Kohli–AB de Villiers (IPL): Pressure without power. You could feel a field tighten after six singles and two twos—suddenly full tosses appear because bowlers are chasing dots.
Warner–Smith: Warner’s raw speed with Smith’s angles and decision-making created safe twos in packed rings.
Babar–Rizwan: Efficient, modern white-ball pair; rarely in trouble, always probing square.
Williamson–Taylor: Calm control; a masterclass in calling and running into hands.

Pairs snapshot (what makes them click)

Pair	Format strength	Why they work
Dhoni–Raina	T20/ODI	Early calls, trust to go on half-misfields, quick turns
Kohli–AB	IPL	Conversion pressure; impeccable reading of deep fielders
Warner–Smith	ODI/T20	Warner’s burst + Smith’s geometry; safe seconds
Babar–Rizwan	T20	Shared tempo, few miscalls, relentless probing
Williamson–Taylor	ODI/Test	Poised decision-making; minimal risk, maximal value

The science of a 22-yard sprint

Twenty-two yards sounds short until you break it into what matters.

The launch: From a batting stance, the first movement is off-balance. Elite runners pre-load their hips before impact, so the first step bites. Foot strikes are under the center of mass; knees pick up, not flail.
The line: You don’t run straight to the midpoint; you run the line that makes your turn shorter. The fastest runners run a shallow V, approaching the crease slightly wide to pivot inside and explode.
The bat: The bat is not a passenger; it’s a tool. Elite runners slide the bat late and flat, maximizing reach while still accelerating. The bat stays in the right hand into the first crease, then switches (if needed) for the second.
The turn: Plant the inside foot just before the crease, low hips, minimal vertical bounce, eyes already scanning the fielder. No extra choppy steps. Turn is one fluid motion.
The re-acceleration: The second 22 yards begins before the turn ends. The best runners are already leaning into the second run as the bat hits the ground.

Estimated timings (standing start, gear on, real match running)

Segment	Typical time
Single (one-way)	roughly 3.0–3.4 seconds
Two (both ways)	roughly 7.0–7.6 seconds
Three (with two turns)	roughly 10.8–11.8 seconds
Peak in-run speed	roughly 24–28 km/h over the central 10–15 meters

If you ever clock a batter repeatedly under roughly 3.0 seconds for a single from a dead start, you’re watching world-class acceleration for cricket conditions. Under roughly 7.1 seconds for a completed two with a clean turn is elite. These are small margins. Tenths decide games.

Conditions and context: why the same player runs differently at different venues

Ground size: Big squares and long straight boundaries breed threes; short boundaries compress opportunity. On compact grounds, the two is often living in the gaps square of the wicket; threes are rare.
Outfield speed: A quick outfield cuts your window because the ball races to boundary riders. Slow outfields gift seconds and the occasional all-run four.
Pitch hardness: A firm pitch gives you traction and a little bounce in your stride; a tacky one eats energy and lengthens your turn.
Altitude and humidity: Thin air helps carry the ball but also reduces air resistance; humidity can bog you down and slick the turf, changing the bat slide.
Fielding arms: Some teams park cannons in the deep. The best runners exploit the weaker arm by memory; they’ve cross-checked before the first ball.
Handedness: Left-right combinations flip angles, change pick-ups, and can ambush throw lines.

Technique and coaching: how to run between the wickets fast

The fastest runner in cricket is not necessarily the fastest over 60 meters. He or she is the best over 22 yards, twice, with a turn. You can train that.

Sprint mechanics for 22 yards

Split-step timing: Pre-load just before the ball hits the bat. It’s a tiny hop or weight transfer that prepares your nervous system. When the ball is struck, you move.
First three steps: Keep shin angles low and push backward, not upward. Think “punch the ground behind me.”
Arm action: Hands from cheek to hip. Wide elbows waste force; tight elbows drive hips.
Eyes and head: Keep the head quiet; the body follows the eyes. Look at the floor first, then up.

Turn mastery

Approach line: Enter the crease a half meter wide; angle your path so the inside foot plants with the shortest radius.
Footwork cue: Plant with the ball of the foot, hips low, shoulders turned towards the opposite end, chest forward.
Bat usage: Slide the bat late, almost in the same motion as the plant. Your bat becomes a pole vault without the vault—maximum reach with minimum time.
Hands: Swap hands during the turn only if it cuts time on the second bat slide; practice both ways.

Drills that actually work

22-yard repeats with turns: Set cones at both creases. Run singles, then immediate return for the second, then triples. Time each with a partner. Focus on the turn.
Bat-slide practice on varying surfaces: Dry turf, damp turf, even rubber mats. Learn friction.
Reaction call drills: Coach or partner calls yes/no/hold after ball contact (use a tennis ball off bat). Trains decision speed.
Non-striker back-up: Start three meters down the pitch at impact. Practice the split-step so you’re moving exactly as the ball hits the bat.
Throw read drill: Coach throws balls to deep fielders at different angles; runners must decide second/third in real time, calling “in hand” to mark the fielder’s pickup moment.
Fatigue blocks: Simulate over-by-over running. Ten sets of two runs with twenty seconds rest. Technique must hold under fatigue.

Strength and mobility

Ankles and calves: Stiffness equals speed. Skip rope, pogo hops, and short hill sprints.
Hips and hamstrings: Nordic curls, Romanian deadlifts, single-leg bounds.
Core: Anti-rotation holds and resisted sprints. Turns are rotational; stabilize to accelerate.
Flexibility: Front-hip mobility for long steps, especially into the turn.

Communication and calling

One voice leads: The striker decides on most hits to the off side; the non-striker on the leg side. Stick to this unless pre-agreed.
Use full words: “Yes,” “No,” “Wait.” Loud. No half-syllables.
Pre-ball scan: Before the ball is bowled, both batters check fielder depth and arm strength. Decide your target fielder for a sneaky second.

What data exists and how to read it

No official leaderboard doesn’t mean no data. Teams collect GPS and IMU (inertial measurement unit) data in training. Broadcasters time runs off frames. Analysts look for proxies:

Run-out rate per innings: The best are near-zero over large samples.
Proportion of non-boundary runs as twos and threes: On big grounds, elite runners will be above field average.
Dot-to-single conversion: Turning low-risk dots into safe singles is a skill.
Pressure twos in the death overs: Counting twos in the last five overs in T20 can unmask elite runners.

A simple analyst’s “running value” model

Assign +0.3 runs to a converted two that most players take as a single in that venue state; +0.6 to a converted three; subtract large penalties for run-outs weighted by match situation.
Add a “safety coefficient” based on how often the player is involved in mix-ups (miscalled runs, aborted runs).

Do that across games and you’ll have a running-impact score. In every such model I’ve seen, Kohli, Dhoni, AB, Warner, and Jadeja sit at the top. Pairs like Dhoni–Raina, Kohli–AB, and Babar–Rizwan shine because their safety coefficient is exceptional.

Rankings: data-informed shortlists

All-time top 10 fastest runners in cricket (my ranking)

MS Dhoni — Peak acceleration, perfect turn, fearless yet safe aggression.
AB de Villiers — The best turn, unmatched re-acceleration, manipulates fielders.
Virat Kohli — Conversion king; relentless and precise across formats.
Suresh Raina — The best partner you could ask for; triggers smart risk.
David Warner — Brutal first step, elite backing up, high-pressure runner.
Ravindra Jadeja — Angles plus spring; thrives on big grounds.
Faf du Plessis — Fitness meets field-reading; clinic in T20 leagues.
Martin Guptill — Long-stride sprinter molded to big grounds; elite threes.
Kane Williamson — Efficiency that makes partners faster and safer.
Brendon McCullum — Early-era T20 catalyst; sharp turns, bold calling.

Current top 10 fastest runners in world cricket

Virat Kohli — Still the safest bet to steal an extra run when you need it.
Mohammad Rizwan — Endless engine, sharp reads, fearless seconds.
David Warner — Keeps fielders and partners on alert with his tempo.
Ravindra Jadeja — One of the few who create threes from thin air.
Faf du Plessis — Master of repeatability under fatigue.
Babar Azam — Very few errors; elite game-state awareness.
Glenn Phillips — Rapid turn, compact strides, excellent bat slides.
Ishan Kishan — Explosive, left-hand advantage on certain angles.
Kane Williamson — Makes the right run almost every time.
Ruturaj Gaikwad — Growing reputation for clean, efficient running.

The Dhoni vs Kohli vs AB debate

If you force me to choose a single name as the fastest runner in cricket history, I ask you to choose a scenario. Raw first 22 yards? AB or Dhoni. Best turn and second 22 yards? AB. Safest, highest-value running across formats? Kohli. Death-overs two with the keeper sniffing a run-out? Dhoni. Middle-overs metronome in an ODI where every two crushes the bowlers’ lungs? Kohli. Chaos in a T20, fielder stumbling, angle uncertain? AB.

The key is that “fastest” between the wickets is context and craft, not an absolute sprint test. Dhoni’s bat-slide dives took a chunk off the clock. AB’s hockey hips made turns a single motion. Kohli’s judgement cut risk to nearly zero. Depending on what you value—raw speed, turn mastery, or decision perfection—you’ll pick a different winner. All three are correct, and the arguments are the oxygen of cricket rooms.

Records-style and measurement notes

Fastest 22 yards in cricket: Elite cricketers are recorded in the roughly 3.0-second bracket from standing starts, with outliers dipping below on ideal surfaces. Be skeptical of internet claims that defy physics.
Fastest single: A standing-start single in roughly 3.0 seconds or better is elite; with a running start (non-striker), you will see faster.
Fastest two and three: Two runs in roughly 7.0–7.2 seconds from strike to strike is world class; a three in roughly 11 seconds is exceptional, heavily dependent on the two turns.
All-run four: Rare and exquisitely painful for fielders. Usually requires long boundaries, a gap square or behind point, and at least one slightly fumbled pick-up or long throw-in cycle.
Running speed in km/h: At 3.0 seconds for 20.12 m, the average speed is about 24 km/h, rising to 26–28 km/h mid-run for elite athletes. Starts and turns reduce the average.

How to avoid run-outs while still being fast

Pre-ball plan: Decide your targets, know the weak arms, and agree on who calls what.
First-mover advantage: The caller must commit first and loudest. Partners trust; partners go.
Bat down early: Even at top speed, the bat must be on the grass before the crease. Upright last steps kill reach.
Avoid blind turns: Get your head around early so the turn is informed, not guessed.
Run the correct side: If the throw is heading for the striker’s end, run to the outside of the pitch so you don’t intersect the throwing channel. Umpires love it. So does your collarbone.

Comparative views by region

Fastest runner in Indian cricket

MS Dhoni (peak), Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja. Among current players, Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad impress. India’s broader running culture—fitness testing, calling standards, and IPL exposure—has built a deep bench of good runners.

Fastest runner in Australian cricket

David Warner is the reference point. Glenn Maxwell and Travis Head are aggressive runners with sharp reads. Fitness culture and big grounds sharpen the running instinct in Australia.

Fastest runner in Pakistan cricket

Mohammad Rizwan leads on intent and repeatability, Babar Azam on efficiency and judgement. Shadab Khan and Fakhar Zaman offer bursts with occasional risk.

Fastest runner in New Zealand cricket

Historically, Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum were outliers; Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips bring modern craft and acceleration.

The role of the non-striker: the half-run nobody sees

Every fast pair has a superb non-striker. Backing up is the invisible half of running. The non-striker’s split-step as the ball lands is a tiny art. Go too early and you’re flirting with danger; too late and you surrender the step that makes a close single feel easy. The best non-strikers cheat legally by timing movement to ball contact, staying balanced, and reading the bowler’s follow-through for deflections. Many of the fastest runners—Warner, Kohli, Raina—are lethal non-strikers. They spend more time scanning than admiring.

Myths and truths about running between the wickets

Myth: Pure speed equals best runner. Truth: Without a great turn and communication, pure speed won’t save you.
Myth: Threes are dead in T20. Truth: On certain grounds and outfields, the three is a dagger. Teams that embrace it unlock scoring pressure.
Myth: Strong arms in the deep kill twos. Truth: They force smarter twos. Elite runners attack angles into weaker arms and hit the second hard while the thrower gathers.
Myth: Fitness alone makes a fast runner. Truth: Fitness is the floor. Mechanics and decision-making are the ceiling.

A short, practical program for club and academy players

Weekly session plan for running between the wickets

Warm-up: Ten minutes of dynamic drills—A-skips, high knees, lateral bounds.
Mechanics block: Five sets of 15-meter accelerations, focusing on first three steps and arm drive.
Turn lab: Eight reps of single-turn sprints with cones set to simulate crease; time each rep, aim to reduce steps into the turn.
Decision block: Throw-downs with a coach; batter must call yes/no/wait off bat sound and initial ball direction; run only on “yes.”
Repeatability block: Six sets of two runs with twenty seconds rest; maintain technique under fatigue.
Cool down: Pogo hops for ankle stiffness, hip mobility sequence.

Equipment hacks that help

Clean spike plates: Mud adds milliseconds; scrape between overs.
Light bat for running drills: Train your bat-slide and swaps with a lighter stick before graduating to match weight.
Cones to mark “correct line”: Visual lines in training drive muscle memory for match turns.

Safety and etiquette

Don’t run down the pitch on the same line as the ball’s return. Umpires don’t like it; keepers like it even less.
Stay in your lane when crossing with your partner; avoid collisions mid-pitch by agreeing a side beforehand.
Keep your bat in your own hands: mid-turn bat tosses are circus tricks that hurt team rhythm.

Who is the fastest runner in cricket world? A sensible conclusion

If the sport ever stages an official 22-yard time trial in gear, I suspect we’d see a three-headed photo finish between the sprint masters: the best of Dhoni, AB de Villiers, and the peak white-ball version of David Warner. Toss in an elite modern specimen like Mohammad Rizwan and an efficiency machine like Virat Kohli, and you could argue all night. But matches are not time trials. In real cricket, the fastest runner between the wickets is the one who wins you the extra run without exposing you to a run-out—again and again—on different grounds, with different partners, under different skies.

On that measure, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni define the archetype. Kohli for relentless, low-risk accumulation across formats; Dhoni for turn and timing wizardry at the death. AB de Villiers remains the most technically perfect runner I’ve watched, especially through the pivot. Pick any one as the “fastest,” and I won’t fight you. Put all three at the top, and we agree.

FAQs

Who is the fastest runner between the wickets in the world?
There’s no official record. The most credible shortlist includes MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers, and Virat Kohli, with David Warner, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Faf du Plessis, and Martin Guptill close. Currently, Virat Kohli, Mohammad Rizwan, David Warner, Ravindra Jadeja, and Faf du Plessis are elite.

Is MS Dhoni faster than Virat Kohli between the wickets?
Different strengths. Dhoni’s turn and late bat slide were probably the best ever; he often looked faster on tight twos in the death overs. Kohli is the best at converting ones to twos with almost zero risk over long spells, particularly in ODIs. If you need a single winner for a tight two under pressure, many would say Dhoni. For overall running value across a long innings, Kohli.

What is a top 22-yard sprint time for professional cricketers?
From a standing start, roughly 3.0–3.3 seconds is elite, with outliers dipping just under on ideal surfaces. Completed twos in roughly 7.0–7.2 seconds and threes in roughly 11 seconds are world class. Remember: surfaces, footwear, and camera timing all impact readings.

Who are the best running pairs in cricket history?
Dhoni–Raina set the standard for T20 and ODI aggression with safety. Kohli–AB de Villiers in the IPL were ruthless at pressure twos. Babar–Rizwan are a modern white-ball model of efficiency. Warner–Smith and Williamson–Taylor excelled in judgement and calling.

How can I improve my running between the wickets?
Train your first three steps, perfect the turn, and practice bat slides on different surfaces. Drill reaction-based calls with a partner. Learn to back up at the non-striker’s end with a split-step as the ball lands. Build repeatability with fatigue blocks so your technique holds when you’re tired.

Does pitch or ground size affect running speed in cricket?
Absolutely. Firm pitches and fast outfields increase pace but reduce your second-run window because the ball gets to the deep quicker. Large grounds increase three-run opportunities; short boundaries compress running value and put a premium on perfect turns and early calls. Humidity, altitude, and even dew shift friction and grip, changing bat-slide timing and foot traction.

Final word

The fastest runner in cricket is part sprinter, part mathematician, part thief. He or she sneaks seconds out of ordinary shots, multiplies pressure in quiet overs, and tilts matches without a single big swing. That’s why you see coaches grinning after a routine clip to midwicket turns into a brutal second. The batters aren’t just running; they’re writing the rhythm of the game. If you want to understand a team’s heartbeat, watch their running. If you want to feel a stadium change shape, watch an over where the twos won’t stop. That’s where the fastest runners live—between breath and bravery, across twenty-two yards that feel, in those moments, like a whole world.