Players across generations have created records, some broken and some unbroken. Some records seem destined to remain etched in history, forever beyond the reach of currently active cricketers.
Some records, however, seem destined to remain etched in history, forever beyond the reach of aspiring cricketers.
List of Top 10 Cricket Records That Might Never be Broken
Don Bradman’s Test Average
One of cricket’s most revered figures, Sir Donald Bradman, stands as an unparalleled icon in the sport’s history. His staggering Test batting average of 99.94 is his legacy. His career spanned from 1928 to 1948, during which he amassed an astonishing 6,996 Test runs.
In his final Test innings, needing just four runs to achieve the extraordinary milestone of a Test average of 100, Bradman was dismissed for a rare duck, leaving his average tantalizingly close to a century! Breaking Bradman’s incredible average would require an extraordinary level of skill and consistency that is rarely seen. It is safe to assume that this record may never be broken.
Brian Lara’s 400*
Brian Lara, the legendary West Indian batsman, etched his name in cricketing history with his monumental innings of 400 not out in Test cricket. On April 10, 2004, at the Antigua Recreation Ground, Lara achieved what many deemed impossible: he became the first cricketer to score 400 runs in a Test match innings.
Throughout his career, Lara amassed a plethora of records and accolades, including the record for the highest individual score in first-class cricket (501 not out), achieved in 1994 while playing for Warwickshire.
Lara retired from international cricket with a s tally of 11,953 Test runs from 131 Tests that he played between 1990 to 2006.
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Rohit Sharma’s 264
Rohit Sharma’s monumental innings of 264 appears to be a feat that may never be broken. On November 13, 2014, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Sharma scripted an unparalleled innings, becoming the first and only player to score a double century in ODIs twice, his first being 209 against Australia in 2013.
His innings of 264, scored off just 173 deliveries, included an astounding 33 boundaries and 9 sixes. He later also scored a record-breaking third ODI double century and is currently the only player to have three double centuries in the format, another feat which may not be breached any time soon.
Muttiah Muralitharan’s 800 Test wickets
Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan was one of the best spinners of his time. His remarkable Test career saw him claim a staggering 800 wickets, a feat unmatched in cricket history. Muralitharan’s unique bowling action bamboozled the best of batsmen.
Despite facing controversies surrounding his bowling action, Muralitharan’s dominance remained undisputed. He played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s success on the international stage, guiding the team to numerous victories with his match-winning performances. Muralitharan retired from international cricket in 2011.
Jim Laker’s 19 wickets in a Test
Jim Laker’s historic feat of taking 19 wickets in a single Test match is the biggest highlight of his career. Representing England against Australia at Old Trafford in 1956, Laker produced a bowling masterclass that mesmerized the cricketing world. In the fourth Test of the Ashes series, Laker achieved the unthinkable, claiming 19 wickets for just 90 runs in total.
His remarkable performance included figures of 9 for 37 in the first innings and an incredible 10 for 53 in the second innings. Following his illustrious playing career, Laker remained involved in cricket as a coach and commentator. He continued to impart his knowledge and love for the game until his passing in 1986.
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Mohammad Sami’s 17-ball over
Mohammad Sami, the Pakistani fast bowler, delivered a 17-ball over in a Test match against Bangladesh in 2002. It was the second Test of the series, and Sami’s fiery spell of bowling left both fans and pundits astounded. Sami unleashed a barrage of fast deliveries, and the over included four no-balls and seven wides.
Sami played for the Pakistan team between 2001 and 2016. Post retirement, he has served in the capacity of a coach and selector. It is important to note that Sami’s 17-bl over is the longest over bowled in international cricket. In domestic cricket, this unwanted record is held by New Zealand’s Bert Vance, who bowled an over of 22 balls for Wellington in the Shell Trophy Final against Canterbury in 1990.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Career Longevity
Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, holds the record for the greatest number of international matches played. Across his illustrious career spanning more than two decades, Tendulkar represented India in a total of 664 international matches.
Debuting for India at the age of 16 in 1989, Tendulkar’s exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the sport propelled him to unprecedented heights. He became a cricketing icon, revered by fans worldwide. Among active cricketers, 35-year-old Virat Kohli has so far played 522 matches, and it’s unlikely that he will go past this record of Tendulkar.
Shoaib Akhtar’s 161.3 km/h delivery
Shoaib Akhtar, famously known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” is one of the fastest bowlers of all time. In 2003, during a match against England at the Cricket World Cup, Shoaib Akhtar unleashed a thunderbolt clocked at 161.3 kmph, which still remains the fastest delivery in cricket history.
Akhtar’s raw pace, coupled with an intimidating presence on the field, made him a formidable opponent for batsmen around the world. In 2011, he announced his retirement from international cricket, after which Akhtar has remained involved in cricket as a commentator, analyst, and mentor.
199 First-Class Centuries
When it comes to first-class cricket, the title of the most centuries belongs to the legendary English batsman, Jack Hobbs. Hobbs’ remarkable career spanned the early 20th century, where he amassed an extraordinary total of 199 centuries in first-class matches. Throughout his career, Hobbs represented Surrey and England. He also holds the of leading run-scorer in first-class cricket, with 61,760 runs. k
Known as “The Master,” Hobbs is widely hailed as one of cricket’s greatest batsmen of all time. His extraordinary contributions to cricket earned him a place among the esteemed Wisden Cricketers of the Century, alongside legends such as Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Garfield Sobers, Shane Warne, and Sir Viv Richards.
Chris Gayle’s 175* in the IPL
Chris Gayle’s blistering 175 not out in the IPL remains one of the most iconic and memorable innings in the tournament’s history. Representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore against the Pune Warriors India in the 2013 IPL season, Gayle delivered a breathtaking display of power-hitting.
He smashed a staggering 17 sixes and 13 boundaries during his innings, punishing the Pune Warriors bowlers mercilessly. He reached his century in just 30 balls, and eventually finished with an unbeaten 175 runs off just 66 balls, at a strike rate of 265.15. This is the highest individual score in IPL history, one that may not be broken ever.
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