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Top four fastest batters to reach 13000 runs in Test cricket

Test cricket is the toughest format of the three forms of cricket. To have a long and prosperous career in Test cricket, a batter needs to possess consistency, mental toughness, patience, and sound technique.

There are several players who had Test careers spanning over a dozen years, during which they accumulated a substantial amount of runs.

One record that only a few batters (four) have managed to achieve is scoring over 13,000 runs. These four are among the all-time greats in Test cricket.

In this article, let’s delve into the four batters who breached the 13,000-run mark in test cricket and rank them on the least number of innings they took to reach this feat.

4. Rahul Dravid (IND) – 277 innings

Rahul Dravid - Top four fastest batters to reach 13000 runs in test cricket
Rahul Dravid (Credits - BCCI)

Rahul Dravid was a traditional test-match batter with an incredible amount of patience being his forte. In 164 tests, the legendary cricketer scored 13288 runs at an incredible average of 52.31. During his illustrious test career, Dravid hit 36 hundreds and 63 half-centuries.

Dravid is the fourth fastest batter in test cricket to reach the 13000-run landmark. He achieved this historic feat in 2011 while playing the West Indies at Wankhede Stadium. It took him 277 innings to accomplish this milestone.

3. Ricky Ponting (AUS) – 275 innings

Ricky Ponting - Top four fastest batters to reach 13000 runs in test cricket
Ricky Ponting (Credits - Sky Sports)

Australian great Ricky Ponting took 277 innings to reach the 13,000-run mark in the longest format of the game. The former Aussie skipper achieved this milestone during the Adelaide test match against India in 2012.

Talking about his test career, Ponting was renowned for his positive demeanor.  In 168 tests, the right-hander scored 13378 runs, including 62 half-centuries and 41 centuries. 

2. Jacques Kallis (SA) – 269 innings

Jacques Kallis - Top four fastest batters to reach 13000 runs in test cricket
Jacques Kallis (Credits - Sky Sports)

South Africa’s Jacques Kallis is regarded as possibly the best all-round player in Test cricket. The former cricketer took 269 innings to reach the 13000-run milestone in Tests. Kallis achieved this illustrious feat during the Cape Town Test match against New Zealand in 2013.

He amassed 13289 runs in 166 Test matches at a commendable average of 55.37. The legendary South African notched up 45 hundreds and 58 half-centuries in Test cricket.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 266 innings

Sachin Tendulkar - Top four fastest batters to reach 13000 runs in test cricket
Sachin Tendulkar (Credits - BCCI)

Sachin Tendulkar is the fastest batsman to reach the 13000-run landmark in test cricket, taking 266 innings to achieve this particular feat. He achieved this figure in 2010 against Bangladesh in Chattogram.

Tendulkar, who is hailed as arguably the best batter of all time, scored 15921 runs at an incredible average of 53.78 in 200 tests. In the longest format, he recorded 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries.

Cover Credits - BCCI Official

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