The first ever game of cricket was played in March 1876, and it was a test match. Since then, this game has seen a wholesome of changes over the years. The inception of T20 cricket has made players change their mindset. But one thing hasn’t changed: the way players play the red-ball game.
After almost 150 years of Test cricket, there are only a few players who have completed 12,000 runs in this format. It takes a lot from the players to perform consistently in five-day cricket. But legends know how to deal with this pressure in different conditions against all kinds of bowling attacks. And in this article, we will talk about those legendary batters who are the fastest to reach 12,000 runs in the longest format.
List of Fastest 12000 runs in Test cricket
| Player | Against | Match Date | Debut | Time | Mts | Inns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | New Zealand | 3 Jan 2015 | 20 Jul 2000 | 14y 167d | 130 | 224 |
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | Australia | 17 Oct 2008 | 15 Nov 1989 | 18y 337d | 152 | 247 |
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | Pakistan | 21 Jul 2010 | 8 Dec 1995 | 14y 225d | 146 | 247 |
| Jacques Kallis (SA) | Australia | 17 Nov 2011 | 14 Dec 1995 | 15y 338d | 147 | 249 |
| Rahul Dravid (IND) | South Africa | 16 Dec 2010 | 20 Jun 1996 | 14y 179d | 148 | 255 |
| Joe Root (England) | West Indies | 26 July 2024 | 13 Dec 2012 | 11y 226d | 143 | 261 |
| Alastair Cook (ENG) | Australia | 4 Jan 2018 | 1 Mar 2006 | 11y 309d | 152 | 275 |
5. Rahul Dravid (India) – 255 innings
The fourth-fastest and second Indian to reach the 12000 runs is former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid. The former captain came onto the scene in June 1996 against England at Lord’s and impressed everyone with his debut innings of 95 runs. He went on to become the backbone of the Indian batting in the longest format. That was the reason he was known as “the wall” in the game. In 255 innings, he scored 12000 runs. Dravid scored 13288 runs in 164 tests, including 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries. He is also the fourth-leading run scorer overall.
4. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 249 innings
The best modern-day all-rounder that the game has produced is former South African captain Jacques Kallis, who is fourth on the list. Kallis made his first appearance in December 1995 against England and represented his country for the next 18 years. He completed 12000 runs in his 249th innings in his test career. Kallis led South Africa to another level with his all-round abilities. He scored 115 in his last test innings in December 2013 against India. Overall, Kallis made 13289 runs in 166 games with 45 centuries and 58 half-centuries, including 292 wickets as well.
3. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 247 innings
Former Australian captain, who led his country to ODI World Cup glory in 2003 and 2007, is joint-second fastest on this list. Ricky Ponting, who is the best captain of all time, was also the face of Australian cricket in his era. He started his career in December 1995 against Sri Lanka and scored 96 runs in his debut inning. It took him 247 innings to complete this milestone. Ponting ended as the second-highest run-getter in this format. He made 13378 runs in 168 games at an average of 51.85, with 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries.
2. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 247 innings
When it comes to scoring runs in the cricket, one man will be up there always and he is the Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, who ended as almost all the batting records. Sachin made his debut in November 1989 against Pakistan and scored 15 runs in his debut inning. But not many thought that this 16-year-old kid would rule the cricket world in the next two decades. Sachin reached 12,000 test runs in 247 innings. In his career, Sachin made the most runs and most international centuries. He scored 15921 runs in 200 tests, with 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries.
1. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 224 innings
Former Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara is the fastest batsman to reach this record. The left-hander was one of the best batsmen that Sri Lanka has ever produced. He played his first game in a test against South Africa in July 2000 and went on to represent his country for the next 15 years. Sangakkara completed 12000 runs in just 224 innings, which 23 fewer than the second ranked batter. In his final test innings, he scored a double century against New Zealand. Overall, Sangakkara scored 12400 runs in 134 tests, with 38 centuries and 52 half-centuries.