Top 5 Indian batsmen to score 1000+ test runs in a calendar year most times

A total of 27 times Indian batsmen have amassed 1000 or more test runs in a calendar year.

Consistency in test cricket is one of the most important determinants to evaluate any player. Batsmen in particular undergo various phases of highs and lows throughout their career which puts their mental stamina and the ability to bounce back to test.

When a batsman is in form, he serves as an anchor for the full batting unit. The difference between a par score and a winning total of a team is often made by the highest score in the side. One batsman posting a triple-figure score enables the team to post an above-par total generally even if other batsmen around him chip in with small contributions.

Throughout Indian test cricket history, we have seen many great Indian batsmen carry the load of the batting lineup. The consistency of these players has helped the Indian team post huge totals regularly.

A total of 27 times the Indian batsmen have recorded 1000 or more runs in test cricket in a calendar year. On that note let’s look at the top five Indian batsmen to score 1000+ test runs in a calendar year the most times.

Top five Indian batsmen to score 1000+ test runs in a calendar year the most times:

5. Virender Sehwag – 3 times

Virender Sehwag was known for his fearless, flamboyant and aggressive approach while opening the batting. He also had periods of high consistency at his pomp. In his test career, Sehwag scored more than 1000 runs in a year on three occasions.

Sehwag’s three most successful years in test cricket were 2004 (1141 runs), 2008 (1422 runs) and 2010 (1462 runs) and he was instrumental in India’s success. Sehwag finished his career with 8586 test runs in 104 matches with an outstanding batting average of 49.3.

4. Virat Kohli – 3 times

Widely regarded as the greatest ever white-ball batsman, Virat Kohli’s legacy in test cricket is iconic as well. Kohli has gone past the 1000 test runs mark in a year three times in his career so far.

Kohli’s three best years in test cricket were 2016 (1215 runs), 2017 (1059 runs) and 2018 (1322 runs). Despite his slump in test cricket since 2021, Kohli remains a key cog in the Indian batting lineup.

Kohli has played 117 test matches in his career so far, scoring 9035 runs at an average of 48.3. He has 29 test hundreds to his name.

3. Rahul Dravid – 3 times

Rahul Dravid is the one of names most associated with test cricket in India. Nicknamed “The Wall,” Rahul was known for his unflappable patience and determination to play marathon knocks in the longest format of the game.

In his illustrious career, Dravid amassed 1000 test runs in a year thrice: 2006 (1095 runs), 2011 (1145 runs) and 2002 (1357 runs). Rahul’s ability to play long innings helped India in tiring the opposition, helping the other Indian batsmen capitalize against the tired bowlers.

2. Sunil Gavaskar – 4 times

Regarded as the greatest Indian test opener of all time, Sunil Gavaskar was India’s first batting superstar. Gavaskar scored more than 1000 runs in a year in test cricket on four occasions.

Gavaskar’s best years in test cricket were 1976 (1024 runs), 1978 (1099 runs), 1983 (1310 runs) and 1979 (1407 runs). Gavaskar’s resilience against the fearsome West Indies bowling attack of the 1970s and 1980s is a folklore in Indian cricket history.

1. Sachin Tendulkar – 6 times

Sachin Tendulkar tops the list of Indian batsmen crossing the 1000 runs mark in a year in test cricket the most times, having done it on six different occasions. Sachin achieved this feat in 1997 (1000 runs), 2001 (1003 runs), 2008 (1063 runs), 1999 (1088 runs), 2002 (1392 runs) and 2010 (1562).

Tendulkar had a dream year in 2010, when he made the record for the most test runs by an Indian batsman in a year, scoring 1562 runs at an average of 78 with seven centuries. Moreover, him achieving it at the age of 37 makes this achievement even more incredible.

Regarded by many as the greatest ever test batsman after Sir Don Bradman, Tendulkar’s consistency and resilience over the years were pivotal in India’s success.

(All stats updated till 27th October, 2024)

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