Since the inception of the T20 cricket, the focus of the fans has shifted to the shortest format. But, deep down, everyone knows that when it comes to test cricket, nothing can match the intensity. It is because the batsman, who can make runs in this format, knows how to perform in white-ball cricket as well.
That is why a true test batter is always successful in other formats as well. And here we will discuss some of the most successful test batters in history. This article includes a list of the fastest test batsmen to reach 9000 career runs. There have been 16 batsmen who have achieved this feat. But first, let’s look at the fastest players.
List of Fastest 9000 Runs in Test Cricket
| Player | Against | Match Date | Debut | Time | Mts | Inns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | Pakistan | 3 Nov 2011 | 20 Jul 2000 | 11y 106d | 103 | 172 |
| Steve Smith (Aus) | England | 28 Jun 2023 | 13 July 2010 | 12 y 350d | 99 | 174 |
| Rahul Dravid (IND) | West Indies | 30 Jun 2006 | 20 Jun 1996 | 10y 10d | 104 | 176 |
| Brain Lara (WI) | South Africa | 2 Jan 2004 | 6 Dec 1990 | 13y 27d | 101 | 177 |
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | England | 23 Nov 2006 | 8 Dec 1995 | 10y 350d | 106 | 177 |
| Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | India | 16 Nov 2009 | 2 Aug 1997 | 12y 106d | 108 | 178 |
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | Australia | 2 Jan 2004 | 15 Nov 1989 | 14y 48d | 111 | 179 |
| Younis Khan (PAK) | England | 22 Oct 2015 | 26 Feb 2000 | 15y 238d | 103 | 184 |
| Jacques Kallis (SA) | New Zealand | 8 Nov 2007 | 14 Dec 1995 | 11y 329d | 110 | 188 |
| Sunil Gavaskar (IND) | Australia | 13 Dec 1985 | 6 Mar 1971 | 14y 282d | 110 | 192 |
| Greame Smith (SA) | Pakistan | 23 Oct 2013 | 8 Mar 2002 | 11y 229d | 112 | 195 |
Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 178 innings
Former Sri Lankan skipper and one of the best all-format batsman, Mahela Jayawardene is the fifth fastest overall. Jayawardene was the face of Sri Lankan cricket in his time and was one of the reasons for their success overall. He made his test debut in August 1997 against India at Colombo Stadium. In his 178th inning, he scored 9000 runs in his career. Jayawardene scored a total of 11814 runs in 149 tests at an average of 49.84, with 34 centuries and 50 half-centuries. He also holds the record for the highest score (374) by a Sri Lankan batter.
Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 177 innings
Former World Cup-winning Australian captain Ricky Ponting is the joint-fourth fastest batter to achieve this milestone. Ponting is arguably the best captain of all time, having won all the major ICC titles, including two consecutive ODI World Cups in 2003 and 2007. It was because he was a brilliant batsman as well. Ponting made his debut against Sri Lanka in December 1995 and completed 9000 test runs in 177 innings. Overall, in his career, he made 13378 runs in 168 red-ball games with 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries.
Brain Lara (West Indies) – 177 innings
West Indies has produced some legends of the game. But when it comes to West Indian batsmen, one name always comes to mind. And he is the “highest individual test score” holder, Brian Lara. The left-hander has made an unbeaten 400* which is the highest in history. Lara made his debut in December 1990 against Pakistan and reached 9000 runs in 177 innings. He was the man behind the West Indies’ success in the longest format of his time. Lara ended his career with 11953 runs in 131 games, including 34 centuries and 48 half-centuries.
Rahul Dravid (India) – 176 innings
The only player from India in the top five is the former skipper Rahul Dravid, who was known as “The Wall.” It was difficult for the opposition bowlers because he was the main wicket for the opposition when it came to Indian batting because he stays on the crease for a long time. Dravid made his debut against England in June 1996 and went on to score 9000 runs in 176 innings. Overall, he scored 13288 runs in 164 games with 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries.
Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 172 innings
When it comes to naming the best wicketkeeper batsmen in the history of the game, only a few names come to mind. But this man will surely be up there. Former Sri Lankan captain and the best wicketkeeper batsman from Sri Lanka, Kumar Sangakkara, is the fastest batter to achieve this feat in test cricket. Sangakkara made his debut in July 2000 against South Africa at Galle Stadium and reached 9000 runs in his 172nd innings. He made 12400 runs in the 134 games he played, with 38 centuries and 52 half-centuries.