Top 10 batsmen fastest to score 10000 runs in test cricket

A total of 14 cricketers have scored over 10,000 runs in test cricket.

Test cricket is the oldest format of cricket with a vast history of 147 years. It has seen many legendary batters who have etched their names in the history books and defined eras.

There are 12 test-playing nations currently. Every nation has batting heroes, some have several, while some have few.

What makes the legendary batters different from others is the amount of runs they scored in their careers that stretched over a decade. Their consistent performances with the bat put them on a higher plane than the rest.

So far, 14 batsmen have scored over 10,000 runs in test cricket. In this article, we will look at the top 10 batters fastest to reach the 10,000 runs landmark in the longest format.

Fastest to 10000 runs in tests (innings):

10. Joe Root (ENG) – 218 innings

Joe Root is considered England’s greatest test batsman, having broken the records of Sir Alastair Cook for most runs and most centuries for England in the longest format.

With over 12,000 runs in test cricket, Root has already established himself in the list of legendary batters.

Root took 218 innings to reach the 10000-run landmark in tests. He achieved this huge milestone during a test match against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2022. He is the fastest England batter to do so.

9. Jacques Kallis (SA) – 217 innings

Jacques Kallis is arguably the greatest all-rounder of all time. Talking about test cricket, Kallis played 166 matches and amassed 13289 runs at an admirable average of 55.37, including 45 centuries and 58 half-centuries.

Kallis achieved the 10,000-run landmark in his 217th innings, which he played against Australia in 2009.

8. Sunil Gavaskar (IND) – 212 innings

One of the greatest test match openers of all time, Sunil Gavaskar took 212 innings to achieve the 10,000-run milestone. He achieved this historic feat against arch-rivals Pakistan in Ahmedabad in 1987.

Gavaskar was the first ever batsman to breach the 10,000-run mark in test cricket. In his legendary career, Gavaskar amassed 10122 runs in 125 test matches and raised 34 centuries and 45 half-centuries.

7. Mahela Jayawardene (SL) – 210 innings

Legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene achieved the glorious milestone of 10,000 runs in his 210th test innings. He achieved this feat against South Africa in Durban in 2011.

The former middle-order batsman amassed 11814 runs in 149 tests at an average of 49.84. Jayawardene made 34 centuries and 50 half-centuries in test cricket.

6. Younis Khan (PAK) – 208 innings

Younis Khan is considered one of the greatest Pakistani batsmen of all time. The right-hander achieved many milestones in test cricket in his legendary career.

He reached the 10,000-run mark in his 208th test innings, which came against the West Indies in Kingston in 2017.

The former batsman played 118 tests and scored 10,099 runs at an admirable average of 52.05. Younis Khan notched up 34 centuries and 33 half-centuries in the longest format.

5. Rahul Dravid (IND) – 206 innings

A classical test match batsman, Rahul Dravid is India’s second-highest run-scorer in test cricket. The legendary Indian cricketer took 206 innings to reach the milestone of 10,000 runs in test cricket.

He achieved this iconic feat during a match against South Africa in Chennai in 2008.

In his legendary career, Dravid amassed 13288 runs in 164 tests at a superb average of 52.31. The right-handed batter raised 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries.

4. Ricky Ponting (AUS) – 196 innings

Australian legend Ricky Ponting was known for his attacking brand of cricket. The former Australian captain is the quickest Australian to reach the 10,000-run landmark in test cricket and is his country’s highest test run-getter.

Ponting achieved this huge feat during a test match against the West Indies in 2008. It was Ponting’s 196th innings.

Overall, Ponting plundered 13378 runs in 168 tests at a terrific average of 51.85 with 41 centuries and 62 fifties.

3. Kumar Sangakkara (SL) – 195 innings

Legendary wicket-keeper batter Kumar Sangakkara took 195 innings to reach the glorious milestone of 10,000 runs in test cricket. He crossed this mark during a match against Australia in Melbourne in 2012.

Overall, the Sri Lankan legend amassed 12400 runs in 134 tests. The stylish left-hander registered 38 centuries and 52 half-centuries in the longest format.

2. Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 195 innings

Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar is the most famous icon of the game. Tendulkar achieved innumerable records in a career that spanned 24 years. When we talk about batting records, Tendulkar’s name will often be found at the top or so.

Talking about the 10,000-run mark in tests, Tendulkar took 195 innings to reach this mark. He is the fastest Indian to achieve this coveted milestone.

The former cricketer played 200 tests and scored 15921 at an admirable average of 53.78. Tendulkar ransacked 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries in the longest format.

1. Brian Lara (WI) – 195 innings

Legendary West Indies cricketer Brian Lara took 195 innings to reach the milestone of 10,000 runs in test cricket and is the joint-fastest to do so in the world.

He achieved this huge feat during a test match against England in Manchester in 2004. Overall, Lara amassed 11593 runs in 131 tests at an outstanding average of 52.88. The left-hander scored 34 centuries and 48 half-centuries in tests.

(All stats updated till 3rd January, 2025)

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