Every cricketer who takes up the game dreams of representing his or her country in any format. But only a few of them achieve success. The most difficult aspect of a cricketer’s life, however, is continuing to perform over the years in order to play for his country for an extended period of time. But there are only a few players who get the opportunity to have a long career.
And these cricketers went on to become legends of the game. Here, we will discuss such legendary batsmen who have scored runs against every bowling attack in the world. This list features players with 10,000 test runs, but only the fastest players. Notably, there are only 14 players in the history of Test cricket who have scored over 10,000 runs.
5. Rahul Dravid (India) – 206 innings
Former Indian skipper, who was known as the best Indian test batter, Rahul Dravid is the third-fastest overall. Dravid was a pure-bred classical batsman known as “The Wall” of Indian cricket. He also led India in the longest format. Dravid made his debut against England in June 1996 at Lord’s and scored 95 runs on his debut. The former skipper completed the 10,000-run landmark in 206 innings. Overall, he scored 13288 in 164 games at an average of 52.31. He also scored 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries.
4. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 196 innings
The man who carried on the legacy of Steve Waugh and took Australia to new heights is next on the list. 2003 and 2007 World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting is the second-fastest batsman to score 10,000 test runs. He made his test debut in December 1995 against Sri Lanka and scored 96 in his debut innings. Ponting reached 10,000 runs in his 196th inning. In his career, he scored 13378 runs in 168 games with 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries. Ponting is also the second-leading run-scorer in the history of the longest format.
3. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 195 innings
If not the best, then certainly among the best wicketkeepers that the game has ever seen from Sri Lanka, Kumar Sangakkara is the joint-fastest batsman to reach 10,000 runs in the longest format. Sangakkara became Sri Lanka’s backbone in all three formats, but his test match statistics were incredible. He made his debut against South Africa in July 2000 and completed this milestone in his 195th inning. He retired as the highest run-getter for Sri Lanka in tests. Sangakkara made 12400 runs in 134 games, with 38 centuries and 52 half-centuries.
2. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 195 innings
Whoever knows about cricket must know this name as well. It is the highest run-scorer in the game with most centuries, Sachin Tendulakr. The legendary batsman is the second-fastest person to accomplish this feat. Sachin made his debut against Pakistan in November 1989. Since then, the whole Indian cricket scene changed, and he became the poster boy of Indian cricket. Sachin also took 195 innings to complete 10,000 test runs and retired as the leading run-scorer ever in both formats. He made 15921 runs in 200 games at an average of 53.78 with 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries.
1. Brain Lara (West Indies) – 195 innings
In those days, the rivalry between Sachin Tendulkar and Brain Lara was very famous. And they are the two fastest batters to reach this mark. The West Indian great is at the top of the list. Lara holds the record of the highest individual score of unbeatan 400. He made his debut in December 1990 against Pakistan at Lahore Stadium. Lara made 10,000 runs in his career in 195 innings. In his career, he scored 11953 runs in 131 games at an average of 52.88 with 34 centuries and 48 fifties.
List of Fastest 10000 Runs in Test Cricket
| Player | Against | Match Date | Debut | Time | Mts | Inns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brain Lara (WI) | England | 12 Aug 2004 | 6 Dec 1990 | 13y 250d | 111 | 195 |
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | Pakistan | 16 Mar 2005 | 15 Nov 1989 | 15y 121d | 122 | 195 |
| Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | Australia | 26 Dec 2012 | 20 Jul 2000 | 12y 159d | 115 | 195 |
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | West Indies | 30 May 2008 | 8 Dec 1995 | 12y 174d | 118 | 196 |
| Rahul Dravid (IND) | South Africa | 26 Mar 2008 | 20 Jun 1996 | 11y 280d | 120 | 206 |
| Younis Khan (PAK) | West Indies | 21 Apr 2017 | 26 Feb 2000 | 17y 54d | 116 | 208 |
| Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | South Africa | 26 Dec 2011 | 2 Aug 1997 | 14y 146d | 127 | 210 |
| Sunil Gavaskar (IND) | Pakistan | 4 Mar 1987 | 6 Mar 1971 | 15y 363d | 124 | 212 |
| Jacques Kallis (SA) | Australia | 26 Feb 2009 | 14 Dec 1995 | 13y 74d | 129 | 217 |
| Joe Root (ENG) | New Zealand | 2 Jun 2022 | 13 Dec 2012 | 9y 171d | 118 | 218 |