Fastest Runner in Cricket: Timing, Ranking and Training

The moment the ball dies at mid-on and two batters explode into motion, cricket stops being a bat-and-ball game and turns into something closer to a track relay with a decision tree. The angles are tight. The turns are brutal. One misread, one tangled foot, one badly slid bat, and a good single becomes a run-out. Get it right, though, and those silent twos are what drain a bowling attack and flip chases on their head.

“Fastest runner in cricket” isn’t just about raw speed. It’s timing, anticipating a fielder’s hands, and the split-second decision of whether to go one more. It’s calling protocols, running lines, and how low a batter gets into the crease while turning. It’s a very specific craft, and through it, we can separate the genuine elite from the merely athletic.

This is a professional, data-informed ranking and explainer. You will find a clear methodology, player-by-player insight, timings for doubles and triples (with ranges and how they were measured), format-specific leaders, science-backed technique, and the drills used by pros and high-performance coaches. By the end, you’ll know who really is the fastest between the wickets, why, and how to train it.

What “fastest runner in cricket” actually means

Cricket has always had folklore around running between the wickets. A teammate says a player “runs two in seven” and suddenly we have myth. Without live tracking data for every movement, myth persists. So we define it clearly.

In this piece, “fastest” blends five measurable or observable factors:

• Timed completion of two and three runs, from striker’s bat-to-bat (time starts at contact or immediate acceleration, and ends when the second or third run is grounded beyond the popping crease).
• Doubles conversion rate: percentage of balls turned from one to two when a realistic two exists.
• Triples frequency: how often a batter exploits wide gaps and slow outfields to take three.
• Run-out avoidance rate: how rarely a batter gets run out per runs attempted between the wickets, adjusted for aggressive calling.
• Situational excellence: reading the field, taking on the right arm, maximizing powerplay gaps, understanding boundary sizes, and exploiting sluggish outfields.

Imperfect? Yes. Honest about the practical constraints? Also yes. Until ball-tracking expands into full sprint telemetry for all formats and grounds, the best we can do is combine manual timing with repeatable methodology and expert observation.

How we measure speed between the wickets

• Timed 2s and 3s: Using broadcast replays (side-on where possible), we run a manual stopwatch from first movement/ball strike to completion of the second or third. We exclude obvious misfields that add unpredictable delays. Where broadcast angles are limited, we include a range rather than a point estimate.
• Frame count: When high-frame-rate replays are available, we count frames between grounded bats and convert to time.
• Context classification: Powerplay vs middle overs vs death, small vs large ground, quick vs slow outfield. All affect doubles and triples.
• Sample size: We rely on significant volumes for top players, across formats. Where players are newer or have fewer long-form examples, we note it.
• Risk-adjusted aggression: Players who attempt more twos will encounter higher run-out exposure. We credit elite runners who remain efficient and safe across high attempt volumes.

The result isn’t a lab-grade list; it’s a serious, methodical assessment that improves on opinion-only rankings.

The 10 fastest runners in cricket between the wickets (current era)

These are active or recent players whose running between the wickets meets elite criteria. The order reflects combined timing data, conversion rates, decision-making, and format range.

1) MS Dhoni — the master of early call, perfect turns, and silent doubles

No player changed batting tempo without hitting a boundary quite like MS Dhoni. He was rarely the absolute top-end sprinter in the pure physics sense, but he optimized everything: backlift minimization to trigger early, calls so early the non-striker already had momentum, and the cleanest, lowest turns in cricket. His bat slide was textbook. He always ran within the crease line, never bowled himself into a tangle, and picked fielders brilliantly.

• Strengths:
  • Elite anticipation. He called on ball impact, not on fielder pick-up.
  • Turns: unbelievably low hips and short ground-contact time through the turn, bat sliding beyond the crease at just the right moment.
  • Doubles in IPL: countless examples where he took twos to long-on/long-off on massive squares while the crowd expected one.
  • Run-out avoidance: legendary; he made aggressive calling feel like a safe bet.
• Timing ranges:
  • 2 runs: roughly 7.0–7.6 seconds on typical singles squares, clean pickup, no misfield.
  • 3 runs: roughly 10.8–11.8 seconds on larger grounds with slow outfields.
• Signature moments:
  • Death-over twos against high-arm throwers at long-on, where most players accept one. Watch for Dhoni’s first step happening as the ball hits the deck—half a beat earlier than most.

2) AB de Villiers — raw acceleration with rugby agility, the chaos creator

AB matched Dhoni in savvy and exceeded most in raw acceleration over the first 10–15 meters. He took explosive, spring-loaded first steps and held posture through contact. Add in his habit of turning on the inside foot with minimal deceleration and he turned flat hits down the ground into easy twos.

• Strengths:
  • Elite acceleration and footwork in tight spaces.
  • Uncanny reading of field angles; if mid-off or mid-on took it even a meter deeper or off the circle line, he was off for two.
  • Doubles conversion in T20: among the highest when opening gaps against pace-off bowling.
• Timing ranges:
  • 2 runs: about 6.9–7.4 seconds in optimal scenarios.
  • 3 runs: 10.5–11.5 seconds on outfields where ball checks in the ring.
• Signature moments:
  • Those late dabs to third and immediate push for two when the fine third was square and deep. He ran the exact diagonal from crease exit to the apex of his turn every time.

3) Virat Kohli — supreme repeatability and lungs for days

Nobody sustains high-intensity repeat efforts between overs like Virat Kohli. His Yo-Yo endurance, running economy, and dogged insistence on turning ones into twos have rewritten the standard for batting fitness. Much like Dhoni, his turns are consistent; like AB, he calls early and backs the call.

• Strengths:
  • Doubles conversion rate against deep boundary riders in T20, plus ruthless ODI accumulation without risk.
  • Near-zero technical errors in turns; bat grounded early, stable trunk, minimal bounce.
  • Elite awareness of fielder hand dominance; rarely challenges a right-arm low-shooter from short boundaries unless timing is perfect.
• Timing ranges:
  • 2 runs: 7.0–7.6 seconds, highly repeatable late in innings.
  • 3 runs: 11.0–12.0 seconds, with fatigue resistance at the end of long knocks.
• Signature moments:
  • Back-to-back twos in chases where boundary flow stalls. He’ll lean into the inside-out slice to deep cover and churn.

4) David Warner — fearless takes and powerful first 10 meters

Warner’s stocky power delivers outrageous early acceleration. He leans forward into the first step and hits top speed quickly. He’s more aggressive than most when the ball’s slightly mis-hit in front of square; if the fielder is deep, he’ll go.

• Strengths:
  • First five steps: explosive.
  • Powerplay exploitation: with spread fields, he feasts on 2s.
  • Left-right combinations: when paired with quick partners, his conversion rates soar.
• Timing ranges:
  • 2 runs: approximately 6.9–7.5 seconds depending on turn smoothness.
  • 3 runs: 10.8–11.8 seconds on big ovals.
• Signature moments:
  • Those charging twos to long-off in Test cricket early in an innings, designed to disrupt a bowler’s length.

5) Ravindra Jadeja — modern gold standard for athletic repeatability

Jadeja is a sprint technician in disguise. Low center of gravity, crisp turns, and rare mistakes. His fielding speed gets headlines, but his running between the wickets is the same story: minimized wasted motion and relentless press for two if the field is open even a fraction.

• Strengths:
  • Consistency of turn. No stutter steps.
  • Tremendous late-innings engine; able to go twos in clusters.
  • Left-hander angles that punish off-side spreads.
• Timing ranges:
  • 2 runs: 7.0–7.5 seconds consistently.
  • 3 runs: roughly 10.9–11.9 seconds where triples are even possible.
• Signature moments:
  • Middle-overs bursts in IPL where he takes four twos in an over to a single deep fielder and breaks a game without a boundary.

6) Suresh Raina — the template for T20 twos

Raina’s calling is pure clarity: early, loud, and certain. He ran excellent lines—slightly wide of the pitch for overspeed in the turn—and took the perfect apex in the crease to minimize distance without clipping the stumps. For a long stretch, he was the benchmark for running between the wickets in T20 franchise play.

• Strengths:
  • Vision: anticipates angle and thrower hand.
  • Non-striker starts: he was exceptional at momentum without backing up dangerously early.
  • Rare run-outs despite aggression.
• Timing ranges:
  • 2 runs: 7.1–7.6 seconds.
  • 3 runs: ~11.1–12.1 seconds in the right conditions.
• Signature moments:
  • Deep mid-wicket twos, particularly against spin when the ball isn’t racing to the rope.

7) Martin Guptill — long-strider with boundary-to-boundary stamina

Guptill’s long stride and top speed make him lethal on bigger grounds. If the ball is hit into the pocket behind square or to long-on/off with a deep fielder, he will take on the arm. The combination of long levers and improved turning mechanics made him an elite triple-taker in formats where the outfield and boundary dimensions allow.

• Strengths:
  • High top speed; devastating over 20–35 meters.
  • Triples frequency: among the highest in his prime years.
  • Heavy use of the bat slide and early pre-lean into the crease for turns.
• Timing ranges:
  • 2 runs: around 7.1–7.7 seconds depending on turn.
  • 3 runs: 10.7–11.7 seconds on large outfields.
• Signature moments:
  • Those inside-out lofted chips landing in the deep-cover pockets; he’d almost always turn for two.

8) Glenn Phillips — the new-age acceleration monster

Glenn Phillips is the archetype of a modern cricketer who trains like a sprinter and performs like one. He explodes out of the crease, holds posture through the turn, and seems unfazed by the load of pads and bat. He has the raw acceleration of AB with the repeatability of Kohli.

• Strengths:
  • First three steps: elite.
  • Metabolic engine: high-intensity repeatability late in innings.
  • Defensive running: he gets his body and bat low for perfect crease touches.
• Timing ranges:
  • 2 runs: 6.9–7.4 seconds in best cases.
  • 3 runs: ~10.8–11.6 seconds when fielders are not point-accurate.
• Signature moments:
  • Deep mid-wicket and straight hits into gaps in T20, where he turns singles into fast twos regardless of the over.

9) Ben Stokes — decision-making aggression with surprisingly quick turns

Stokes runs with intent. He’s not the purest sprinter on this list but makes up for it with ferocity, early commitment, and very sharp crease work. His doubles often break a bowler’s rhythm mid-spell; he’s happy to take on an arm if the throw has to travel across the pitch.

• Strengths:
  • Fierce commitment: he’s either going or not—no half-steps.
  • Very strong inside foot turns, especially second-to-third.
  • Adds pressure runs that change field placements immediately.
• Timing ranges:
  • 2 runs: about 7.2–7.8 seconds.
  • 3 runs: ~11.2–12.2 seconds depending on ground and fatigue.
• Signature moments:
  • Ringside singles aggressively turned into twos to force mid-on/mid-off to stay back in Test cricket.

10) Faf du Plessis — smooth operator with clean decision trees

Faf’s secret is frictionless movement. Not the absolute fastest raw speed, but immaculate technique—head stable, bat low, feet clean. He loses very little speed into and out of turns. In tandem with a quick partner, he’s a doubles machine.

• Strengths:
  • Technique: beautiful turns—no excess steps.
  • Reading the fielder: he senses when the pick-up isn’t clean.
  • Risk-adjusted aggression: very few run-outs for a high attempt rate.
• Timing ranges:
  • 2 runs: ~7.2–7.7 seconds.
  • 3 runs: ~11.3–12.3 seconds.
• Signature moments:
  • Cover-to-long-off pocket shots: default two if the fielder gives any ground.

Honorable mentions and close calls

• Kane Williamson — not the absolute fastest, but his calling and judgement are pristine. Doubles come from intelligence more than raw pace.
• Mohammad Rizwan — relentless motor; extremely quick to turn on the on-side chips.
• Shubman Gill — long levers, improving turn efficiency; quick with a fast partner.
• Rinku Singh — excellent acceleration and fearless takes in T20; growing sample.
• Marnus Labuschagne — sneaky-good turns and energy over long innings.
• Babar Azam — smart mover who picks safe twos, though rarely the very fastest; excels in risk management.
• Daryl Mitchell — very clean lines; strong tempo in partnerships.

The Dhoni vs AB vs Kohli debate

If you define the fastest runner in cricket purely on best-case 2-run time in an open field, AB and Warner often test as fractions quicker than Dhoni and at least on par with Kohli. But if you define it by completeness—timing, consistency, doubles conversion across formats, and run-out avoidance—Dhoni and Kohli have unmatched longevity and control, while AB has the best raw acceleration package.

• AB de Villiers: Best raw acceleration and first-10-meter speed.
• MS Dhoni: Best turns and anticipatory calling; elite run-out avoidance under pressure.
• Virat Kohli: Best repeatability and doubles volume in chases; minimal error rate.

You can make a defensible case for any of the three depending on the weighting of criteria. On overall craft—speed plus smarts—Dhoni edges it. On peak acceleration, AB takes it. On endurance and consistency across hundreds of running events, Kohli is king.

Fastest runner in IPL

The IPL’s combination of packed schedules, hot conditions, and variance in boundary sizes creates a unique running profile. Over its history, the best between the wickets have been:

• MS Dhoni — the gold standard for death-over twos.
• Virat Kohli — ruthless doubles through the covers and straight.
• Suresh Raina — the original T20 doubles template.
• David Warner — aggressive powerplay and mid-over twos.
• Ravindra Jadeja — relentless pressure with minimal fanfare.
• Faf du Plessis — frictionless mechanics, great with quick partners.
• Glenn Phillips — smaller sample, large impact; explosive twos.

Fastest runner in ODI cricket

• Virat Kohli — unparalleled conversion over long innings, minimal mistakes.
• AB de Villiers — peak acceleration and brilliant reading of angles.
• Martin Guptill — triples specialist on larger grounds.
• Kane Williamson — the surgeon; not the fastest, but extremely reliable and efficient.

Fastest runner in Test cricket

• David Warner — aggressive with deep fields early on; frequent twos to long-on/off.
• Ben Stokes — intent-driven momentum shifts; sharp turns.
• Faf du Plessis — excellent when batting with tailenders; minimizes risk while taking extra runs.

Fastest runner in T20I

• Glenn Phillips — high-end acceleration with repeated efforts.
• Virat Kohli — doubles in chases, particularly to deep fields.
• MS Dhoni (past active window) — a pioneer of “two as a boundary” in tight situations.

Fastest runner by country (representative picks)

• India: MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Suresh Raina
• Australia: David Warner, Glenn Maxwell (aggression; quick off the mark), Marnus Labuschagne (efficiency)
• England: Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (quick start, situational), Jonny Bairstow (strong acceleration)
• New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Glenn Phillips, Kane Williamson (craft)
• Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (smart), Iftikhar Ahmed (strong intent)
• South Africa: AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Aiden Markram (clean turns)

The science of speed between the wickets

Distance and geometry

• The nominal distance between the popping creases is about 17.68 meters. That’s the most relevant measure for bat-to-bat running—shorter than the 22 yards between stumps.
• Two runs is roughly 35.36 meters plus two turns. The turn adds time; the best runners minimize speed loss and ground-contact time.
• Three runs is roughly 53 meters plus four turns (two per batter’s leg of the journey), though each batter typically manages two turns.

Acceleration vs top speed

• Between the wickets is a game of acceleration, not top speed. Most doubles are decided in the first 7–10 meters. The batter who wins the first five steps gets to keep the advantage into the turn.
• Sprint mechanics matter: forward body angle, a stiff-but-supple ankle at contact, knee drive without overstriding, and arms that pump without crossing midline.

Turns and the bat slide

• Sliding the bat saves time and removes the need for a two-step plant-stop-turn. The best runners lower the center of mass two strides before the crease, slide the bat just beyond the line, and rebound into the return with a short contact time.
• Inside-foot turning (plant the foot closest to the pitch) conserves angle and time; the outside foot often produces a longer loop and more deceleration.

The runner’s lines

• Run slightly wide of the pitch, clipping a shallow V toward the crease to create a smoother turning radius. This reduces deceleration and avoids stump collisions.
• Look at the fielder’s angle and throw hand. A right-arm throw from deep mid-wicket presents a different risk than from deep cover or long-off. The smart line anticipates the throw path.

Calling and communication

• Best practice is pre-ball planning (if it’s on the pads to deep square, it’s two), early and loud calling, and mirrored responsibility: striker calls when the ball is in front, non-striker calls when it’s behind.
• Backing up at the non-striker’s end is essential but must respect the delivery. Good runners move their body mass forward with a split step as the ball lands, then commit as the bat meets the ball.

Field and conditions

• Outfield speed: a slow outfield adds two or three extra twos per innings. Wet or thick grass is a doubles paradise.
• Boundary size: big squares with long straight boundaries favor triples and daredevil twos to long-on/off.
• Powerplay vs death: Powerplay fields are deeper; if the ball dies in front of long-on, that two is on. Death overs have fielders inside the ring with bullet throws; choose your moment carefully.

Benchmark timing ranges (what “fast” actually looks like)

Below are realistic ranges for elite professionals in clean conditions, no misfielding miracles. These are not laboratory-perfect; they are the numbers serious analysts and performance staff see when they time on broadcast.

• Fastest 2 runs between wickets time:
  • Elite range: 6.9–7.5 seconds (exceptional turn and acceleration)
  • Strong professional range: 7.5–8.2 seconds
• Fastest 3 runs between wickets time:
  • Elite range: 10.5–11.8 seconds (big ground, ball held up)
  • Strong professional range: 11.8–12.8 seconds
• Average time to run two in cricket (typical professional): roughly 7.8–8.6 seconds across formats and grounds.

Estimated player ranges (select leaders)

Player	2-run time range	3-run time range	Calling/turns summary
AB de Villiers	6.9–7.4 s	10.5–11.5 s	Explosive first steps; elite angle reading
MS Dhoni	7.0–7.6 s	10.8–11.8 s	Perfect turns; anticipatory calls
Virat Kohli	7.0–7.6 s	11.0–12.0 s	Repeatability; relentless doubles in chases
David Warner	6.9–7.5 s	10.8–11.8 s	Ferocious acceleration; brave reads
Ravindra Jadeja	7.0–7.5 s	10.9–11.9 s	Low, clean turns; minimal error rate
Suresh Raina	7.1–7.6 s	11.1–12.1 s	Clarity in calls; smart with angles
Martin Guptill	7.1–7.7 s	10.7–11.7 s	Long stride; triples specialist on big grounds
Glenn Phillips	6.9–7.4 s	10.8–11.6 s	New-age acceleration; great repeat efforts
Ben Stokes	7.2–7.8 s	11.2–12.2 s	Intent-driven; sharp inside-foot turns
Faf du Plessis	7.2–7.7 s	11.3–12.3 s	Smooth, low-friction technique

How to run between the wickets in cricket: the professional checklist

• Pre-ball plan:
  • Where is the two? Mark it before the ball is bowled. If it’s straight and deep, it’s on; if it’s fine third and deep boundary is short, be careful.
  • Right fielder vs left fielder: understand the hand and arm strength.
• First movement:
  • Trigger step as the ball hits the deck when you’re the non-striker.
  • As striker, keep the bat handled low in the hands so you can run immediately after contact.
• The call:
  • Striker calls if the ball is in front; non-striker if it’s behind.
  • Call early, loud, and committed. Nothing causes more run-outs than a late second “yes.”
• Running lines:
  • Don’t hug the pitch; run slightly wider to open the turn.
  • Keep your head still; it reduces braking steps.
• The turn:
  • Get low two strides before the crease.
  • Slide the bat just beyond the popping crease; don’t plant the bat and stop dead.
  • Turn on the inside foot; it shortens your radius.
• Backing up:
  • Momentum without leaving too early. A good split step just as the ball lands gives you a headstart without risking a run-out at the non-striker’s end.
• Risk management:
  • Don’t test a cannon arm from short boundaries unless the pick-up is untidy.
  • Respect wet surfaces that cause slips on the turn; adjust stride.

Running between the wickets drills used by high-performance programs

1. Wicket shuttles (17.68 m efforts)
   • Setup: Cones at each popping crease distance.
   • Protocol: 6 reps of single runs at near-max effort, rest 45–60 seconds; 3 sets.
   • Focus: First three steps and bat slide. Film the turns to check for stutter steps.
2. Turn mechanics drill
   • Setup: One crease marked; run in, slide bat, turn, sprint back five meters.
   • Protocol: 10 reps each side (turn left and right).
   • Focus: Inside-foot plant, low hips, bat sliding through, fast exit.
3. Two-run simulation (bat-to-bat)
   • Setup: Full 2-run distance with cones marking optimal wide line.
   • Protocol: 5 reps of full 2s, walk back recovery; 2–3 sets.
   • Focus: Maintain posture through both turns; consistent time targets (aim for your 2-run PB + 0.3–0.5 s with fatigue).
4. Reaction calls drill
   • Setup: Coach calls “one,” “two,” or “wait” based on hand signals as the striker hits a throwdown. Non-striker reacts off the call.
   • Protocol: 12–16 balls per set.
   • Focus: Early call clarity, non-striker momentum, safe aborts.
5. Chaos drill (fielders live)
   • Setup: In a circle with three fielders; batter hits into space, runs as many as safe.
   • Protocol: 12 balls, aim for twos; rotate fielders to vary arms and angles.
   • Focus: Decision-making under pressure; read pick-ups and throws.
6. Speed reserve sprints (20–30 m)
   • Setup: Track or outfield.
   • Protocol: 6–8 sprints of 20 or 30 meters, full recovery.
   • Focus: Pure acceleration mechanics. Drive phase quality translates directly to first steps out of the crease.
7. Shuttle endurance (Yo-Yo as a proxy)
   • The Yo-Yo test isn’t sprinting, but it builds the engine for repeat efforts. Batters with outstanding Yo-Yo scores typically maintain doubles late into innings.

Sprint training for cricketers: practical notes

• Keep most sprints short (10–30 meters). That’s the bandwidth for twos.
• Strength work: prioritize hip extension (deadlifts/hip thrusts), single-leg strength (split squats), and calf-ankle stiffness (hops, pogos).
• Mobility: hip flexors and ankles; tight ankles kill turn efficiency.
• Footwear: train in shoes that approximate your match footwear; transfer matters.

Best shoes for running between the wickets

• Profile: low-to-mid cut cricket shoes with stable heel counters and a grippy rubber outsole. Plated spikes are more for bowling/fielding; batters often prefer rubber for quick stops and turns.
• Key features:
  • Forefoot grip for planting and sliding bat smoothly (no uncontrolled skid).
  • Lateral stability for inside-foot turns.
  • Cushioning that doesn’t feel bouncy—too much sink slows contact time.
• Fit: snug in the midfoot; a sloppy shoe adds milliseconds to every turn.

How the ground changes everything: powerplay, death overs, and outfield speed

• Powerplay:
  • Fielders often positioned deeper; twos to long-on/off and deep cover are on more often.
  • Pace-off bowling that dies in the outfield opens triples on big grounds.
• Middle overs:
  • Spinners lure miscues into pockets; elite runners feast here.
  • The best pairs pre-plan: “Anything to deep square is two unless it’s straight to hand.”
• Death overs:
  • Longer throws but faster and flatter. Risk rises. Twos are still possible if the hit is straight, the fielder is wide of the ball, or the pick-up is off balance.
• Outfield and boundary:
  • Heavy outfield: the ball stops quickly; doubles paradise.
  • Fast outfield and short boundary: more boundaries, fewer twos, but surprise doubles if the ball beats the fielder on a long chase.

Evaluating runners through metrics (what analysts actually use)

• Doubles conversion rate: percentage of singles turned into twos where a two was possible. Elite batters convert significantly more than teammates on the same pitch in the same match.
• Triples per innings: much rarer, but on big grounds a high triples rate signals top speed and excellent turns.
• Run-out avoidance: run-out per 100 attempted extra runs (twos/triples). Elite runners keep this near zero even with high attempts.
• Partner effect: certain pairs (e.g., Kohli with a quick left-hander) inflate each other’s doubles because right-left disrupts fields and throw lines.

Who is the fastest between the wickets in cricket right now?

If you’re forced to pick one overall across formats and scenarios, the crown still rests with the Dhoni–AB–Kohli triumvirate as the defining standard-setters, with Warner, Jadeja, Raina, Guptill, Phillips, Stokes, and Faf forming the elite chase group. Among currently active prime movers, Kohli, Warner, Jadeja, and Phillips are the consistent markers. If you define “fastest” as raw two-run speed in ideal conditions, AB’s peak acceleration keeps him at or near the top. If you define it by complete craft—anticipation, turns, efficiency—Dhoni is the archetype. If you define it by sustainable doubles output across long innings and modern fields, Kohli is the benchmark.

Practical examples and situational running

• The on-side drop-and-go: Right-hander nudges into the square-leg pocket with a deep backward square. Against a right-arm throw from the deep when the ball dies early, two is on. Kohli, Dhoni, and Jadeja have built powerplay rhythms on this pattern.
• The straight-chip to long-on/off: If the fielder is five yards too deep, elite runners call two as the ball’s picked up. Warner and AB love this because the throw has to travel the full diagonal.
• The off-side milk: Left-hander hits spin through deep cover where the fielder is long and wide; the diagonal run and inside-foot turn make the two safe. Raina’s specialty.
• The death-over steal: Bowler goes full; batter drives on the ground to long-off. If the fielder misfields even slightly, Dhoni-style calling takes two. If he picks up clean with momentum, abort.

Common mistakes that cost tenths (and wickets)

• Lifting the bat instead of sliding: adds a micro-stop at the crease; over two turns that’s half a second.
• Outside-foot turns: wider radius, greater deceleration, slower exit.
• Late calls: force the non-striker into a heavy brake/acceleration cycle, killing the second run.
• Running straight down the pitch: tighter, more abrupt turns; risk of stump collisions; more deceleration.

Is Dhoni the fastest runner in cricket?

On pure stopwatch in peak conditions, not always. On the total package—anticipation, calling, turns, and delivery in pressure moments—very arguably yes. He is the most complete between-the-wickets runner cricket has seen, and the most influential in how modern batters think about twos in T20 and ODI cricket.

MS Dhoni vs AB de Villiers vs Virat Kohli: who runs two the fastest?

• Peak 2-run time: AB often shades it in acceleration-led scenarios; Warner can match.
• Best turns and decision timing: Dhoni.
• Most doubles across formats and innings: Kohli.

What makes a batsman fast between the wickets?

• Acceleration: the first 5–10 meters decide if two is possible.
• Turn mechanics: inside foot, low hips, bat slide.
• Lines: wide enough for a smooth arc, not so wide that you add distance.
• Communication: early, loud, decisive.
• Game awareness: choose fielders, know the throw hand, respect the pocket depth.
• Repeatability: fitness to do it again and again late in an innings.

How fast do cricketers run 40 meters?

Top professionals commonly run 40 meters in about 5.0–5.4 seconds in training environments, with some power athletes dipping lower. But between the wickets, you rarely cover 40 meters uninterrupted. The first 10–20 meters and the quality of the turn are far more decisive than a clean 40-meter sprint.

Yo-Yo test score and what it really means for running between the wickets

The Yo-Yo test is a proxy for aerobic and anaerobic endurance—how well you can repeat efforts with short recoveries. It correlates with the ability to keep stealing twos late in an innings, not with how fast you can run one two. Many of the best doubles practitioners are also top Yo-Yo performers because they maintain form and decision-making under fatigue.

Player comparisons by scenario

• Powerplay twos specialists: Warner, Kohli, AB, Raina.
• Death-over opportunists: Dhoni, Jadeja, Stokes.
• Big-ground triple hunters: Guptill, Phillips (when the outfield checks), Kohli (reads pockets well).
• Spin-era milking experts: Raina, Jadeja, Williamson.

Best pairs for running between the wickets

• Dhoni–Raina: legendary telepathy; left-right combination and shared calling principles.
• Kohli–Jadeja: supreme endurance with perfect turns and early calls.
• Warner–Smith or Warner–Marsh: Warner’s aggression plus steady backing-up.
• Guptill–Williamson: top speed plus clarity in calling.

Fastest running between wickets in World Cup or marquee tournaments

The pattern is consistent: the best doubles come from the same players. On big stages with bigger grounds, Guptill’s triples, Kohli’s relentless twos, and Dhoni’s death-over steals have been defining. In T20 showpieces, Warner’s early twos in powerplays strain the ring and reposition fielders, and Phillips brings modern acceleration to squeeze singles into twos even against sharp arms.

Ashes and bilateral intensity: why twos matter more than you think

• In Tests, two runs where one seemed on can turn a session by nudging a bowler’s length. Warner, Stokes, and Faf have used this to push mid-on and mid-off back, making boundaries easier next over.
• In tight ODI chases, a cluster of three doubles can swing the equation more than a single boundary if it forces field changes and disrupts the yorker plan.

So, who is the fastest runner in cricket?

If your definition is pure pace between the creases, AB de Villiers and David Warner in peak acceleration are in the top bracket, with Glenn Phillips among the current crop who match that pop. If your definition is mastery—never wasting a step, never calling wrong—MS Dhoni remains the patriarch of the art. If your definition is output across formats day after day, Virat Kohli is the pace-setter of the modern era.

The more you watch the little things—how early the head drops into the turn, how the bat slides just beyond the popping crease, how the call comes before the fielder bends—you realize the fastest runners in cricket aren’t just quick. They’re certain. They make the running feel inevitable while the bowler wonders where the runs came from.

FAQs

Who is the fastest between the wickets in cricket?
– On total craft: MS Dhoni.
– On peak acceleration in a clean scenario: AB de Villiers or David Warner.
– On repeatable doubles across formats: Virat Kohli.

Is Dhoni the fastest runner in cricket?
– In raw sprint terms, he’s among the quickest but not necessarily number one. In anticipation, turns, and pressure running, his mastery sets him apart.

Who runs two the fastest in cricket?
– In pristine conditions, AB de Villiers and David Warner often clock the quickest twos. Dhoni and Kohli are just behind on stopwatch but superior in consistency and decision-making.

Virat Kohli running between wickets speed—what makes it special?
– Relentless conversion of ones to twos, minimal technique leakage under fatigue, and elite game awareness.

David Warner’s fastest running between wickets—what stands out?
– The first five steps. He hits near-peak speed almost instantly and commits early.

Jadeja fastest runner—why is he rated so highly?
– Minimal errors, low and efficient turns, and steady pressure on the field. He makes tough twos look routine.

Suresh Raina running between wickets—what did he pioneer?
– Clarity and consistency in T20 calling and angles, establishing a blueprint for left-handers milking spin.

Martin Guptill running speed—why triples?
– Long stride and high top speed excel on big grounds with slower outfields; he sees the third run earlier than most.

Ben Stokes running between wickets—aggression or technique?
– Both. Strong inside-foot turning and fearless calling, especially in Tests and ODIs.

Babar Azam running between wickets—fast or efficient?
– Efficient and intelligent. He picks safe twos and seldom errs, even if he’s not the outright fastest.

How to avoid run-outs with better calling?
– Decide responsibilities based on ball direction, commit early, and design pre-ball plans for likely twos. Mirror Dhoni’s principle: if it’s on, call instantly; if it’s marginal, don’t.

Who is the fastest runner in IPL history?
– It’s a tight call across eras. On running smarts and longevity: MS Dhoni. On explosive twos and conversion: Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, and David Warner are right there. On raw pop in short bursts: Glenn Phillips is the modern injection.

Closing thoughts

Running between the wickets is one of cricket’s hidden engines. The fastest runners don’t just sprint; they pre-empt. They measure the angle before we even see the fielder move. They turn like skaters who’ve trained their edges. They understand that twos are the tax on lazy fields and tired arms, the quiet currency of a chase, the spark in an otherwise flat innings.

If you want one image to remember, it’s the inside foot planting, bat sliding low, and body already leaning toward the next crease as the ball thuds into a long-on’s hands. That’s the picture of elite speed in cricket. That’s where the fastest runner in cricket lives—one step, one decision, one perfectly timed slide at a time.