Cricket is a game of numbers, and one of the most coveted numbers for any batter is 20,000. This is the number of runs scored by a select few in first-class cricket, the highest level of domestic cricket. Only 26 players in the history of the game have reached this milestone, and four of them are from India. They are Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Cheteshwar Pujara, who have not only excelled in domestic cricket, but also in international cricket, representing India with distinction and pride. They are widely regarded as some of the greatest batsmen of all time, and have achieved various records and accolades in their illustrious careers. In this blog, we will look at how, when and where these players reached the 20,000 runs milestone, and what makes them stand out among their peers.
Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar was the first Indian to score 20,000 first-class runs, and the seventh overall. He achieved this feat in December 1985, during the Duleep Trophy final between West Zone and North Zone at Ahmedabad. He scored 188 in the first innings, and reached the landmark when he was on 37 in the second innings. Gavaskar is acknowledged as one of the greatest opening batsmen of all time, and was known for his technique against fast bowling.
First-Class Matches:
- Runs: 25,834
- Matches: 348
- Average: 51.46
- Centuries: 81
- Fifties: 105
- Highest Score: 340 (against Bengal in the 1981-82 Ranji Trophy)
Test Matches for India:
- Runs: 10,122
- Matches: 125
- Average: 51.12
- Centuries: 34
- Fifties: 45
- First to score 10,000 Test runs
- First to score 30 Test centuries
Captaincy and Achievements:
- Captained India in 47 Tests
- Led India to their first series win in England in 1986
Honors and Recognitions:
- Named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1980
- Inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009
Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar was the second Indian to score 20,000 first-class runs, and the 16th overall. He achieved this feat in November 2009, during the Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Railways at Mumbai. He scored 105 not out in the first innings, and reached the landmark when he was on 88 in the second innings. Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, and holds the records for the most runs and the most centuries in both Tests and ODIs.
First-Class Matches:
- Runs: 25,396
- Matches: 310
- Average: 57.84
- Centuries: 81
- Fifties: 116
- Highest Score: 248 not out (against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2004)
Test Matches for India:
- Runs: 15,921
- Matches: 200
- Average: 53.78
- Centuries: 51
- Fifties: 68
- First to score 15,000 Test runs
- First to score 50 Test centuries
One Day Internationals (ODIs) for India:
- Runs: 18,426
- Matches: 463
- Average: 44.83
- Centuries: 49
- Fifties: 96
- First to score 10,000 ODI runs
- First to score a double century in ODIs
Notable Achievements:
- Part of the Indian team that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup
- Named Player of the Tournament in the 2011 Cricket World Cup
Honors and Recognitions:
- Named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1997
- Received the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2010
- Awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 2014
Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid was the third Indian to score 20,000 first-class runs, and the 23rd overall. He achieved this feat in January 2012, during the fourth Test between Australia and India at Adelaide. He scored 1 and 25 in the match, and reached the landmark when he was on 8 in the second innings. Dravid is widely regarded as one of the greatest Test batsmen of all time, and was known for his solid technique and temperament.
First-Class Matches:
- Runs: 23,794
- Matches: 298
- Average: 55.33
- Centuries: 68
- Fifties: 117
- Highest Score: 270 (against Pakistan at Rawalpindi in 2004)
Test Matches for India:
- Runs: 13,288
- Matches: 164
- Average: 52.31
- Centuries: 36
- Fifties: 63
- Second player to score 13,000 Test runs
- Third player to score 10,000 Test runs
One Day Internationals (ODIs) for India:
- Runs: 10,889
- Matches: 344
- Average: 39.16
- Centuries: 12
- Fifties: 83
Captaincy and Series Wins:
- Captained India in 25 Tests and 79 ODIs
- Led India to series wins in West Indies (2006) and England (2007)
Honors and Recognitions:
- Named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2000
- Received the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for the ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2004
Civilian Awards:
- Awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award
- Awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award
Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara was the fourth Indian to score 20,000 first-class runs, and the 26th overall. He achieved this feat in January 2024, during the Ranji Trophy match between Saurashtra and Vidarbha at Nagpur. He scored 43 and 66 in the match, and reached the landmark when he was on 37 in the second innings. Pujara is one of the leading Test batsmen of the current generation, and is known for his disciplined and patient batting style.
First-Class Matches:
- Runs: 19,904
- Matches: 259
- Average: 51.96
- Centuries: 61
- Fifties: 77
- Highest Score: 352 (for Saurashtra against Karnataka in the 2012-13 Ranji Trophy)
Test Matches for India:
- Runs: 7,195
- Matches: 103
- Average: 43.60
- Centuries: 19
- Fifties: 35
Notable Achievement in Test Cricket:
- Played a crucial role in India’s first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018-19
- Scored 521 runs in four matches at an average of 74.42, including three centuries
- Faced 1,258 balls in the series, the most by any visiting batsman in a Test series in Australia
- Named the Player of the Series for his outstanding performance
These four players have shown remarkable consistency, longevity and excellence in their first-class careers, and have made India proud with their exploits in international cricket. They are the members of the elite club of 20,000 first-class runs, and deserve to be celebrated and honoured for their achievements.
