English legend Joe Root created new history in English Test cricket by becoming the first English cricketer to record 13000 Test runs. The right-handed batter reached this special feat on the opening day of their home Test against Zimbabwe in Nottingham. 

On the first day of the new home summer, England scored 498/3 after Zimbabwe sent the hosts to bat first. All the top three English batters hit centuries, while the former English captain Joe Root reached the special Test cricket milestone. 

See Also: Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett break records with jaw-dropping opening stand for England

Joe Root became fifth to complete 13000 Test runs

The 34-year-old Root came to bat at no.4, who was 28 runs away from 13000 Test runs. While England are piling up a huge first innings total, Root completed his 13000 Test runs while completing his 28th run in the innings with a single. It is a very special milestone as Root became the first English batter and fifth overall cricketer to reach the 13000 runs mark in Test cricket career.

Root completed his 13000 Test runs in 279 innings, as the right-handed batter recorded the slowest 13000 Test runs. Previously, legendary Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid held the slowest 13000 Test runs record by reaching the milestone in 277 Test innings. However, if we see the number of Test matches, Root became the fastest to complete 13000 Test runs. While he reached the milestone in 153 Test matches, former South African cricketer Jacques Kallis previously held the record by completing the milestone in 159 Test matches. 

Fastest to complete 13000 Test runs (number of innings)

(Updated as of May 22, 2025)

Joe Root is not far from the second-most Test run-scorer

Root was dismissed for 34 runs, where the right-handed batter hit three fours. With 373 more runs, Root will become the second most run-scorer in Test cricket history, while the English cricketer will still require more than 2500 runs to reach the no.1 spot in the list of most Test runs by surpassing legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 15921 Test runs. 

In a thrilling IPL 2025 clash between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, KL Rahul displayed his impressive stroke conditioning, treating fans to a perpendicularly-perfect six off seamer, Kagiso Rabada. The shot came at a crucial moment of batting when it shifted momentum in Delhi's favour, and social media had a frenzy of likes and retweets in appreciation.

The moment developed when Rabada, known mainly for pace and accuracy, bowled a good length ball that was pitched just outside off-stump. Rahul, displaying calmness at the crease, simply leaned into the shot and lofted the ball over extra cover. The ball appeared to be travelling perfectly straight and, with picture-perfect timing and ease, disappeared out-of-sight over the boundary. It certainly drew the admiration of the commentators, who rejoiced not only in the grandeur of his shot but also in his sheer ability.

This six was fine and is an example of a player displaying class not simply through raw power, but by ability to even make difficult shots look tranquil and elegant. As the ball sailed to safety in extra cover, the camera panned to the dugout where his teammates were on their feet applauding the majestic stroke. The replays further highlighted the bounty of the execution.

Watch the video here

KL RAHUL 🥶

- One of the best shots in IPL 2025...!!! pic.twitter.com/GSA1xTG1GV

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 18, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025, Match 59: Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings Full Match Highlights

KL Rahul Reaches 8000 T20 Runs Milestone

Not just that, but KL Rahul hit another major career landmark during that match after he became the fastest Indian to reach 8,000 runs in Twenty20 cricket, in just 224 innings, breaking Virat Kohli's previous record 243 innings. Overall, Rahul is the third-fastest player in the world to do so behind Chris Gayle (213 innings) and Babar Azam (218 innings).

At the time of this article, Delhi Capitals were at 87/1 after 10.1 overs, with KL Rahul batting 56 runs off 38 balls (7 fours and 2 sixes) and Abishek Porel batting 21 runs off 13 balls. Delhi lost south african captain Faf du Plessis for 5 runs clean bowled by Arshad Khan. This was a quality innings not only for Rahul, but also signifies how important he will be to the Delhi Capitals during the 2025 IPL campaign.

Kumar Sangakkara stands as the remaining batter to realize the giant task of 10,000 ODI and Test runs, an achievement that was narrowly avoided by Virat Kohli, making fans and critics ponder what may have been. Sangakkara, the great Sri Lankan, hung up his boots in 2015 with 12,400 ODI runs in 404 matches at 41.98, with 25 hundreds, and 12,305 Test runs in 134 matches at 57.40, with 38 hundreds. His consistency in both formats puts him in a select group with Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and Jacques Kallis, who also reached the 10,000-run barrier in both formats.

One of cricket's great contemporary players, Kohli, almost made it to this elite club before declaring his Test retirement on May 12, 2025, following India's tour of England. With 14,181 runs in 290 ODIs at a strike rate of 58.18, including 50 tons, Kohli was only 94 Test runs away from making it to 10,000, having scored 9,906 runs in 123 Tests at 48.32, with 30 tons. His last chance was in the England series in June 2025, but Kohli was short, falling short of the dual-format mark by a whisker.

The lost chance triggered social media debate; Kohli was only 94 runs away from joining the likes of Tendulkar, Sangakkara, and others who have attained this rare distinction. Even though Kohli retired from Tests, his ODI skills keep him in the running to overtake Sangakkara's 14,234 ODI runs, as he continues to pursue Tendulkar's record of 18,426 runs in the format. His Test retirement closed the window to join this exclusive club.

Test Retirement Costs Kohli a Historic Dual-Format Record

Kohli’s retirement from Tests, which came about from wanting to only focus on ODIs and the IPL after he had already retired from T20Is following the 2024 World Cup win, ended a phenomenal red ball journey that began in 2011 with his previous retirement from T20Is. His retirement took away any chance of him getting the 94 runs needed to reach 10,000 Test runs which would have solidified his status as one of the greatest of all time in either format. 

Kumar Sangakkara was the last batter to complete 10,000 runs in ODIs & Tests ✨

- Kohli missed the Golden opportunity to enter into the Elite List. pic.twitter.com/0sCMc6soTD

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 12, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025 revised schedule announced by BCCI: Check full schedule here

Looking ahead, Kohli would be aiming for the 2027 ODI World Cup, to bring a glory road to India and take the title away from Sangakkara's ODI runs total. Kohli will always remain a titan of batting, and while he won't get the dual format record, his ODI records will inspire the next generation for batting records.

Former Indian captain and legendary cricketer Virat Kohli has officially announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday (May 12). After the skipper Rohit Sharma's Test retirement, which he announced last week, Indian cricket has now suffered another big blow by losing a legendary cricketer before their ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 journey begins with a five-match Test series against England. 

Virat Kohli and Test cricket had a very special bond. In his 123 Tests, Kohli scored 9230 runs with an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He was also India's most successful Test captain in terms of number of wins, while he also holds many batting records for his nation as a Test captain. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Virat Kohli: Test cricket records

• With 9230 Test runs, Kohli is the fourth leading run-scorer in Indian Test cricket history. 
• With 30 centuries, Kohli is in the fourth place in the list of most Test centuries by Indian batters.
• With seven Test centuries in Australia, Kohli records the most Test centuries by an Indian in Australia. It is also the joint-most Test centuries record in a foreign country by an Indian, with Sunil Gavaskar's seven Test centuries record in West Indies. 
• With seven Test double centuries, Kohli holds the record for the most Test double hundreds by an Indian. It is the joint fourth-most double centuries in Test cricket history. 

Virat Kohli: Test captaincy records 

• With 68 Tests as a captain, Kohli holds the record for most Test captaincy by an Indian, which is the sixth most in the overall tally. 
• With 40 Test wins, Kohli is the most successful Test captain for India. Overall, he is the fourth most successful Test captain, behind South African Graeme Smith (53), Australian Ricky Ponting (48), and Australian Steve Waugh (41).
• Among the Test captains with at least 50 Test matches of leadership experience, Kohli holds the third most winning percentage record with 58.82%, behind Australian legends Steve Waugh (71.92%) and Ricky Ponting (62.33%). 

See Also: Virat Kohli in Tests: A legacy etched in records

Virat Kohli: Batting records as a Test captain

• With seven Test double centuries as captain, Kohli holds the record for the most Test double centuries by a captain.
• With 5864 runs, Kohli holds the record for the most Test runs by an Indian captain. The right-handed batter is also in fourth place in the list for most runs by a Test captain. 
• With 20 Test centuries, Kohli has the record for the most centuries by an Indian Test captain. Overall, he stands in the second position, only below former South African captain Graeme Smith (25 centuries).
• With 38 50+ scores, Kohli also holds the record for the most 50+ scores by an Indian Test captain. Meanwhile, he stands in the eighth position in the list of most 50+ scores by a Test captain. 
• After Sunil Gavaskar (107 and 182 vs West Indies in Kolkata in 1978), Kohli became the second Indian captain to record centuries in both innings of a Test match (115 and 141 vs Australia in Adelaide in 2014). In the list of captain scoring centuries in both innings of a Test match outside home, Kohli was the first Indian captain and seventh overall skipper. 

Virat Kohli: Special Milestones

• By completing 6000 Test runs in 119 innings, Kohli became the second fastest Indian to record 6000 Test runs, only behind Sunil Gavaskar (117 innings).
• By completing 7000 Test runs in 138 innings, Kohli became the fastest Indian and the joint fastest overall to complete 7000 Test runs. 
• Kohli was only the fifth Indian to record 7000+ runs and 100+ catches in Test career (9230 runs and 121 catches).

(As captain)

• By completing 3000 Test runs as a captain in 50 innings, Kohli holds the record for the fastest 3000 runs as a Test captain.
• By completing 4000 Test runs as a captain in 65 innings, Kohli holds the record for the fastest 4000 runs as a Test captain.
• By completing 5000 runs as a Test captain in 86 innings, Kohli holds the record for the fastest 5000 runs as a Test captain. 

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) set to face the formidable Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a high-stakes clash on Saturday. With a place in the IPL playoffs on the line, both teams are geared up for what promises to be an epic showdown at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Adding to the drama is the potential threat of rain, making this do-or-die match even more unpredictable.

A Season of Ups and Downs

RCB has had a fairytale resurgence this season. They have clawed their way back into contention from the brink of elimination. Key performances from their star players have fueled this comeback, and they are now just one win away from securing a playoff spot.

See Also: IPL 2024: Jitesh Sharma is going to lead PBKS against SRH

CSK’s Dominance and Consistency

CSK, the defending champions, have once again shown why they are one of the most successful franchises in IPL history. They are the favourites heading into this match with 14 points and a superior net run rate (NRR 0.528). CSK has historically performed well at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, losing only once in eight matches against RCB.

Current Standings

With Thursday’s washout in Hyderabad, Sunrisers Hyderabad joined Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals as the confirmed teams for the playoffs. This leaves one spot open, with CSK and RCB battling for the final place. CSK’s superior points and net run rate give them an edge, but RCB’s recent form and home advantage cannot be discounted.

CSK’s better net run rate (NRR 0.528) than RCB’s (NRR 0.387) means that a win for CSK will guarantee them the playoff spot. RCB, on the other hand, not only needs to win and by a substantial margin to overcome CSK’s NRR advantage.

Virat Kohli’s Milestone

Virat Kohli, the star batter for RCB, is on the cusp of a historic milestone. He needs 76 runs to become the first cricketer to score 8000 runs in the IPL. With 7924 runs at a strike rate of 131.8, Kohli’s consistency and prowess with the bat are unmatched.

Kohli leads the run-scoring charts this season with 661 runs at a strike rate 155.16. His performances have been instrumental in RCB’s resurgence, and he is a strong contender for the Orange Cap.

Other Milestones

• Dinesh Karthik: Needs one dismissal to reach 300 dismissals in T20s.
• MS Dhoni: Needs four sixes to reach 50 sixes against RCB in the IPL.
• Virat Kohli: Needs seven runs to reach 3000 IPL runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
• Ruturaj Gaikwad: Needs nine sixes to reach 100 sixes in the IPL.
• MS Dhoni: Needs 44 runs to surpass Suresh Raina as the leading run-scorer for CSK in the IPL.
• Dinesh Karthik: Needs 88 runs to reach 1000 runs for RCB in the IPL.

Virat Kohli, the batting powerhouse of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), is set to take on Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the upcoming IPL 2024 match. This fixture not only presents an opportunity for Kohli to contribute to his team’s success but also a chance to etch his name in the record books.

Opportunity to Create History

During the match against RR, scheduled at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Kohli has the chance to become the first batter in the world to score 8000 runs for one team in T20s. This milestone would be a testament to Kohli’s consistency and excellence in the shortest format of the game.

See Also: SRH bowler Jaydev Unadkat talks about bowling strategy

Virat Kohli’s Journey in the IPL and T20 Format

Since his IPL debut for RCB in 2008, Kohli has been a stalwart of the team’s batting lineup. With 7890 runs in 256 T20 matches, including 7466 runs in 241 IPL matches, Kohli has established himself as one of the premier batters in the world.

In addition to crossing the 8000-run mark for RCB, Kohli has the opportunity to become the first batter to score 7500 runs in the IPL. With just 34 runs needed, Kohli is poised to achieve yet another milestone in his illustrious career.

Statistical Comparison with Other IPL Players

Virat Kohli’s impact in the IPL is unparalleled, as evidenced by his impressive statistics. With 618 runs against RR in 29 matches, Kohli has a chance to surpass Shikhar Dhawan’s record and become the leading run-scorer against the Jaipur-based franchise.

Kohli’s performances not only contribute to RCB’s success on the field but also inspire millions of fans around the world. His ability to lead by example and deliver under pressure makes him a true cricketing icon.

As Kohli gears up to face RR, expectations are high for another stellar performance from the batting maestro. Fans eagerly anticipate witnessing history being made as Kohli showcases his batting prowess on the field.

In a historic moment for cricket enthusiasts worldwide, Sunil Narine etches his name in the annals of the sport’s history as he prepares to make his 500th T20 appearance. Narine achieved this milestone while representing the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Narine’s 500th T20 Appearance

On March 29th, cricket fans witnessed a momentous occasion as Sunil Narine took to the field for his 500th T20 match. Facing off against RCB, Narine’s remarkable journey in the format reaches a significant milestone at one of cricket’s most iconic venues.

See Also: Babar Azam set to return as captain in T20I, check reports

Narine’s T20 Career Journey

Sunil Narine’s T20 odyssey commenced in January 2011, marking the beginning of a storied career characterized by exceptional talent and skill. Renowned for his impeccable right-arm off-break bowling and aggressive batting against left-handers. Narine quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the T20 arena. With 536 wickets in 499 matches and an impressive economy rate of 6.10 runs per over. His prowess with both bat and ball has set him apart as one of the finest T20 players in the world.

Impact and Legacy

Narine’s 500th T20 appearance not only underscores his achievements but also highlights his enduring impact on the sport. As the first spinner in cricket history to reach this remarkable milestone. Narine joins an elite club, following in the footsteps of players like Dwayne Bravo and Shoaib Malik. His career has been adorned with numerous accolades, including the record for the most maiden overs bowled in men’s T20s.

Sunil Narine becomes the fourth cricketer to play 500 T20 matches after Kieron Pollard (660), Dwayne Bravo (573) and Shoaib Malik (542).

Narine’s Dominance Across Leagues

From the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), and Big Bash League (BBL). Narine’s performances have left an indelible mark, earning him admiration and respect from fans and peers alike.

Ireland’s cricket sensation, Paul Stirling, etched his name in the annals of cricket history with a remarkable achievement in the T20 International arena. On a breezy day at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Stirling became the first-ever batter to notch up 400 fours in the shortest format of the game, an accolade that eluded stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Babar Azam.

Stirling’s feat unfolded during the first T20I of the series against Afghanistan. Despite a modest innings of 25 runs off 27 balls, Stirling’s legacy was embellished with two boundaries, catapulting his tally to an unprecedented 400 fours in T20Is.

See Also: WPL 2024: TATA gifted ‘broken window’ to Ellyse Perry after eliminator win

The Match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium

The battleground for this historic feat was none other than the iconic Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Set against the backdrop of towering floodlights and enthusiastic spectators, the stage was set for Stirling to etch his name in the record books.

Stirling’s Performance

While Stirling’s innings might not have been a fireworks display, his composure and precision were evident. Batting with a strike rate of around 100, his innings featured two fours and a well-timed six, culminating in the milestone of 400 fours in T20Is.

Following Stirling’s departure, the responsibility of steering Ireland towards a competitive total fell upon the shoulders of Harry Tector. The dynamic batter showcased his mettle with a scintillating half-century, amassing 56 runs off just 34 balls. Ireland concluded their innings with a respectable total of 149 runs.

Afghanistan’s Bowling Performance

Afghanistan’s bowling unit, spearheaded by skipper Rashid Khan, posed a formidable challenge for the Irish batters. Khan’s figures of 4/19 showcased his prowess, supported ably by Nangeyalia Kharote and Azmatullah Omarzai, who chipped in with crucial breakthroughs.

Stirling’s Standing in T20 Internationals

Stirling’s monumental achievement not only solidifies his stature as a batting maestro but also underscores his dominance in T20 Internationals. With 401 boundaries to his name, he surpasses illustrious names like Babar Azam, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma in the record books.

Here’s the the full list: