Fastest to 25000 international runs: Virat Kohli’s 549-innings feat shatters record

Run-scoring is not just an art, but a result of grit, determination, perseverance and, of course, skill. Sachin Tendulkar has been revered as God of Cricket for many years due to his ability to consistently pile on runs.

Tendulkar, in fact, was the first cricketer to score 25000 runs in international cricket. It was one of the many records the Master Blaster achieved in his career. Over the years, the Indian legend was joined by Australia’s Ricky Ponting, South Africa’s Jacques Kallis and the Sri Lankan duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene in the list of players with more than 25000 international runs. However, Tendulkar remains the only player with 30000-plus runs in international cricket.

Meanwhile, India’s Virat Kohli is now the latest entrant in the ‘25K club’ after crossing the mark in the second Test against Australia on February 19, 2023, at his home ground - the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Kohli is the fastest cricketer to 25000 international runs, recording the feat in only 549 innings. The previous record of 577 innings, 28 more than Kohli, was set by Tendulkar. 

Fastest to 25000 international runs

Virat Kohli - 25000 international runs in 549 innings

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli tops the charts, scoring 25000 runs in international cricket in only 549 innings. Kohli is only the second Indian player to achieve this feat and the sixth cricketer overall. 

The Delhi-based batter is the only active cricketer with more than 25000 international runs. Kohli is also the only player in the ‘25K club’ with an average above 50. His exploits include 74 centuries, the second-most tons in international cricket, and 129 fifties.

Kohli is also the fastest to 12000 ODI runs, after achieving the feat in just 251 matches.  

Sachin Tendulkar - 25000 international runs in 577 innings

Sachin Tendulkar, meanwhile, held the record for the fastest to 25000 international runs for more than 17 years. The Master Blaster finished with 34257 runs as an international cricketer, 6341 runs more than the next best - Kumar Sangakkara.

Tendulkar also boasts the record of the most runs in Test and ODI formats, scoring 15921 and 18426 runs, respectively. The Mumbai-born batter is the only cricketer with 100 centuries in international cricket.

The former Indian batter maintained an average of 48.52 at this level in a 24-year international career.

Ricky Ponting - 25000 international runs in 588 innings

Australia’s Ricky Ponting is the fastest and the only Aussie cricketer with 25000 international runs. The former skipper played 560 matches at this level, amassing 27483 runs, making him the third-highest run-getter in international cricket.

Meanwhile, he was only the second cricketer to cross the 25K-run mark, achieving the feat in 2010 in only 588 innings. Ponting slammed 71 centuries and 146 fifties in his illustrious career. He also led the Australian cricket team to the no.1 spot in the ICC Test rankings, while also lifting multiple 50-over World Cup titles. 

Photo credits: Alamy