Test cricket is widely regarded as the game’s most difficult format. It is because it is very hard for the batters to score runs. But legends know how to score runs even in the toughest of conditions. And over the years, we have seen many great batters, who have enjoyed scoring big runs in the longest format.
In this article, we are discussing some of the best batters of all time. In this article, we will look at the fastest batters who have scored 7,000 career runs in the longest format. A few Indians are at the top of this list. So let’s check.
5. Garry Sobers (West Indies) – 138 innings
Former West Indies great and arguably the best all-rounder that the game has seen, Garry Sobers, is the fifth fastest batter to reach the 7,000 career run mark in test cricket. Sobers was regarded as the smartest cricketer of his time. He made his debut in March 1954 against England at Kingston. It took him 138 innings to complete this feat. Sobers scored 8032 runs in 93 matches, including 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries, while also taking 235 wickets.
4. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 136 innings
Next on the list is that “Little Master,” Sachin Tendulkar, who is the fourth-fastest batter to reach 7,000 Test runs. The highest run scorer and the man with the most international centuries scored 7,000 runs in 136 innings. Sachin made his debut in November 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi. In his 136th innings, he scored 7,000 runs in test cricket. Overall, he made 15921 runs in 200 games at an average of 53.78, with 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries.
3. Virender Sehwag (India) – 134 innings
Third on the list is former explosive Indian opener Virender Sehwag, who was always known for his one-way approach, which was just go and smash. One of three players with two triple hundreds in test cricket is the third fastest overall to complete 7,000 test runs. He completed it in 134 innings. Sehwag played 104 matches and scored 8586 runs at an average of 49.34, with 23 centuries and 32 half-centuries.
2. Wally Hammond (England) – 131 innings
Former English skipper Wally Hammond is the second fastest batter to achieve 7,000 runs in test circket. Hammond presented England for 20 years in the longest format. He made his debut in December 1927 against South Africa in Johannesburg. He completed 7,000 test runs in his 131st inning. Overall, Hammond played 85 games and scored 7249 runs at an average of 58.45, with 22 centuries and 24 half-centuries.
1. Steve Smith (Australia) – 126 innings
Former Australian captain and modern-day great Steve Smith is at the top. Smith is the fastest batter in history to reach 7,000 runs in a single season. Interestingly, he started his career as a leg-spinner and didn’t get much opportunity to bat at the start. But once he transformed himself into a pure batter, everything changed. Smith made his debut in July 2010 against Pakistan, and now he is arguably the best batter in this format. In 126 innings, he completed 7,000 runs. So far, he has scored 8161 runs in 87 games with 28 centuries and 36 half-centuries.
List of Fastest 7000 runs in Test cricket
| Player | Against | Match Date | Debut | Time | Mts | Inns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steve Smith (AUS) | Pakistan | 29 Nov 2019 | 13 Jul 2010 | 9y 139d | 70 | 126 |
| Wally Hammond (ENG) | India | 17 Aug 1946 | 24 Dec 1927 | 18y 236d | 80 | 131 |
| Virender Sehwag (IND) | Sri Lanka | 3 Aug 2010 | 3 Nov 2001 | 8y 273d | 79 | 134 |
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | South Africa | 3 Nov 2001 | 15 Nov 1989 | 11y 353d | 85 | 136 |
| Garry Sobers (WI) | India | 19 Mar 1971 | 30 Mar 1954 | 16y 354d | 79 | 138 |
| Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | Pakistan | 20 Jul 2009 | 20 Jul 2000 | 9y 0d | 83 | 138 |
| Virat Kohli (IND) | South Africa | 10 Oct 2019 | 20 Jun 2011 | 8y 112d | 81 | 138 |
| Mohammad Yousuf (PAK) | Sri Lanka | 20 Jul 2009 | 26 Feb 1998 | 11y 144d | 82 | 139 |
| Sunil Gavaskar (IND) | Pakistan | 10 Dec 1982 | 6 Mar 1971 | 11y 279d | 80 | 140 |
| Viv Richards (WI) | Pakistan | 22 Apr 1988 | 22 Nov 1974 | 13y 152d | 94 | 140 |