Top Five Fastest Indian Batters to Score 2000 Runs in Test Cricket

The Indian Cricket Team has long been a dominant force in world cricket. Known for its rich batting tradition, India has produced some of the greatest batting legends in the game’s history—players who have dazzled fans with their skill and helped take the team to the top of international cricket.

Among all formats, Test cricket is often seen as the ultimate challenge. Scoring runs in this format isn’t easy, and those who do consistently are regarded as true superstars of the game. Over the years, India has been fortunate to have several such icons who have left a big mark in Test cricket.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top five Indian batters who were the fastest to reach 2,000 runs in Test cricket.

5. Sunil Gavaskar – 44 innings

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar also features among the top five fastest Indian batters to reach 2,000 runs in Test cricket. The legendary opener, who made his Test debut in 1971, reached the milestone in his 44th innings. It took him six years to achieve the feat, which came during a match against the West Indies at Port of Spain.

4. Gautam Gambhir – 43 innings

Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach of the Indian cricket team, holds the distinction of being the fourth-fastest Indian batter to reach 2,000 runs in Test cricket. The left-handed opener, who made his Test debut in 2004, achieved this milestone in just 43 innings. He reached the landmark during a memorable match against New Zealand in Napier in 2009, where he scored 16 runs in the first innings and followed it up with a gritty 136 in the second.

3. Vijay Hazare – 43 innings

Vijay Hazare became the third player to reach 2,000 Test runs during a match against the West Indies at Port of Spain in 1953. Achieving the milestone in his 43rd innings, Hazare had a modest outing in the game, managing just 29 runs across both innings—including a duck.

2. Virender Sehwag – 40 innings

Virender Sehwag, renowned as one of the most aggressive openers in Test cricket, reached the milestone of 2,000 Test runs in just 40 innings. Making his debut in 2001, Sehwag wasted no time in making his mark. He achieved this impressive feat in 2004 during a Test match against Australia in Chennai.

1. Rahul Dravid - 40 innings

Rahul Dravid, often called "The Wall", reached 2,000 runs in Test cricket in just 40 innings—an amazing achievement. He hit this milestone during a match against New Zealand in Hamilton back in 1999, where he scored a brilliant 190 in the first innings and followed it up with an unbeaten 103 in the second. Dravid was known for his rock-solid technique and calm presence at the crease, and he scored runs all over the world. Whether at home or away, he was one of India’s most reliable batters in the longest format of the game.

Cover Credits - Times of India