4 Indian legends who retired without scoring 10,000 runs in test cricket

Only three Indian cricketers have scored over 10,000 runs in test cricket.

India have been blessed with many batting icons over the years that have represented the country at the highest level and earned a lot of success. Sachin Tendulkar was the prime example who ended up with the most runs, centuries, and half-centuries in international cricket.

He finished with 15,921 runs in test cricket, which is the most by any batter in history. There are 15 batters who are in the elite club of 10,000 or more test runs, including three Indian stars (Sachin, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar).

However, there are four Indian superstars or greats who had a remarkable test cricket career, but couldn’t reach this landmark before retiring from the format. In this article, we will talk about four Indian legends who missed scoring 10,000 test runs.

Four Indian legends who retired without scoring 10,000 runs in test cricket

4. Sourav Ganguly – 7212 Runs

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly was one of India’s prolific scorers who retired with 11,363 ODI runs. But in tests, he missed the landmark of 10,000 runs. Ganguly played 113 tests for India between 1996 and 2008. He started his career with a century on his debut at the Lord’s and announced himself.

He scored hundreds in his first two games. Ganguly finished 7212 runs with an average of 42.17, with a best of 239 runs. Ganguly scored 16 centuries and 35 half-centuries.

3. Virender Sehwag – 8503 Runs

Virender Sehwag not only missed scoring 10,000 runs in tests, but also in ODIs. He was a brutal opening batter who just knew one way of batting, which was to attack. There are only four batters with two triple centuries, and Sehwag was one of them.

He started his test career with a century on debut and played 104 tests for India between 2001 and 2013. Sehwag scored 8503 runs at an average of 49.34, with a best of 319. He also scored 23 centuries and 32 half-centuries.

2. VVS Laxman – 8781 Runs

One of India’s finest batters, VVS Laxman, also features on this list. He was a vital cog of India’s batting between the 2000s and 2010s. His highest score of 281 is still one of the best innings ever played while following on.

Laxman had a glorious test cricket career, but he fell short of the landmark. Laxman played 134 tests between 1996 and 2012 and scored 8781 runs at an average of 45.97, with 17 centuries and 56 half-centuries.

1. Virat Kohli – 9230 Runs

Not many expected the shocking retirement of Virat Kohli, as he stunned everyone with the announcement on May 12, 2025. Virat, who is India’s best captain ever in this format, hung up his boots with 770 runs short of the 10,000 mark.

He played 123 tests between 2011 and 2025 and scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85 and a best of 254*. He also scored 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. There is no doubt that Virat is a modern-day great and has achieved a lot of success that not many could ever achieve. That is why he is at the top of this elite list.

(All stats updated till 16th May, 2025)

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