Most Runs In 50 Consecutive Innings: In Test cricket, the greatness of a player is defined in different ways. Few measure longevity as a testament to continued excellence. There are a few who look at the volume of runs scored or wickets taken. Averages and strike rates are also important parameters to measure a player.
For more Cricket News and Updates Join our Telegram Channel
What is then the metric to look at the highest order of excellence?
But if one were to really factor in how big or how crucial a great player is to a side it can be done through measuring their peak. How a player performs during their peak period is what separates a great cricketer from a good one. Indian cricket is historically famous for its batters. There has been no dearth of great Indian batting talent.
We look at who among the greats has scored the most runs in 50 consecutive Test innings:
#6 Gautam Gambhir – 2,757
He was a solid white ball player but Gautam Gambhir was an excellent Test cricketer too. His career came to a premature end owing to varied reasons but skillset and temperament weren’t one of them. Gambhir was once ranked the world’s number-one Test batter. His peak period coincided with India’s rise as the number 1 Test team. Between his 2nd and 51st innings, Gambhir amassed 2,757 runs at an average of 58.66. He scored 9 centuries during this phase.
#5 Virender Sehwag – 3,035
He redefined the art of Test batting. Virender Sehwag was the single biggest reason why India started winning games that they earlier played for draws. The textbook template of close-in fielding in Tests was Sehwag’s biggest freedom provider. He was a tremendous gap-finder who dealt in boundaries right throughout the day. His peak was between 91-140 innings wherein he smashed 3,035 runs at an average of 63.23 and a jaw-dropping strike rate of 93.50!
#4 Rahul Dravid – 3,138
He was known as Mr. Dependable. Rahul Dravid at one stage of his career looked set to break all Test batting records. The period between 2001-05 was when Dravid was the biggest Indian wicket for the opposition. His consistency during this phase was insane. This reflects in the average that he maintained during those times (72.98). It is the highest for any Indian batter on this esteemed list. Dravid scored 3,138 runs between his 104-153 innings.
#3 Sachin Tendulkar – 3,142
The fact that Sachin Tendulkar features third on such a list showcases the batting riches that India has. Tendulkar smashed the most runs in the phase between 77-126 innings of his Test career. He hit the joint-second-highest number of centuries (13) in this period. Tendulkar’s average of 69.82 is the third highest on the list. He accumulated 3,142 runs at his peak! Tendulkar edged closely past Dravid (4 runs) to take the third spot. It pretty much sums up their playing careers!
#2 Sunil Gavaskar – 3,237
The original little master scored the most number of centuries (14) for an Indian batter in this list. It translates to hitting a century every 3.5 games! On uncovered wickets, playing without helmets and face grills, Gavaskar’s numbers are astounding! Opening the batting for India he piled up runs all through his career. Gavaskar though hit his peak between 60-109 innings wherein he scored 3,237 runs at an average of 67.44.
#1 Virat Kohli – 3,309
It’s his high standards that act as a benchmark for modern-day cricketers. Virat Kohli during his peak years was a different beast. To top the list of Indian batting greats, that too in a list that measures peak period performances, Kohli shows why he is regarded as the biggest Test player of the current generation.
In a phase between 80-129, Kohli tops the chart with 3,309 runs at an average of 71.93 (second highest on the list). He also smashed 13 centuries (joint-second along with Tendulkar). Kohli tops all modern-day batsmen in this metric of most runs in 50 consecutive innings!
