5 Players Who Crossed 2000 Runs in a Calendar Year
Modern-day cricket sees the modern-day greats breaking records of cricketing legends every other day as they aim to surpass records meant to be broken. The year 2023 has proven to be a record-breaking year, with achievements such as setting the record for the most runs in a World Cup season or achieving the fastest World Cup century.
In the realm of record-breaking, Virat Kohli, the preeminent figure among current players, consistently takes the lead. During the ongoing Test series against South Africa, Virat Kohli surpassed 2000 international runs in a calendar year for the seventh time in cricket history.
With his consistent performance, the right-hander surpassed the record of Sri Lankan southpaw Kumar Sangakkara, who had scored 2000+ international runs six times throughout his cricketing career.
Let's examine the top 5 players who have scored the most 2000+ international runs in a calendar year.
1. Virat Kohli (India) - 7 Times
Over the years, the India team has produced many great players who excelled in all conditions. Through his record-breaking performances, Virat Kohli is elevating his career to become the greatest of all time. He recently surpassed Sachin Tendulkar, becoming the only batter with 50 ODI hundreds.
The right-hander had an exceptional year in 2023, setting a remarkable record by scoring 765 runs in a single World Cup edition, the highest by any player in cricket history. In the ongoing Test series, he surpassed the 2000-run mark for 2023, becoming the first batter to achieve this feat seven times in a calendar year. He capped off the year with a score of 76 in his last innings of 2023.
2. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) - 6 Times
Kumar Sangakkara, the Sri Lankan left-handed batsman, stands out as a unique talent in international cricket. He is regarded as one of the greatest batters among Sri Lankans and considered one of the all-time greats. Throughout his 16-year international career, he amassed over 28,000 runs, showcasing his exceptional skill and longevity in the sport.
He maintained remarkable consistency throughout his career, scoring 2000+ runs in a calendar year six times. He held the top position in this record until Virat Kohli surpassed him to claim the number one spot. In the years 2004, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013, he exceeded 2000 runs in international cricket, solidifying his status as a great in his career.
3. Sachin Tendulkar (India) - 5 Times
Almost every batting record features the Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, who stands as the greatest cricketer of all time, amassing over 34,000 international runs, including 100 international centuries. It's no surprise that he is acclaimed as the God of Cricket.
Following Sachin's footsteps, Virat Kohli is on the path to becoming another giant produced by Indian cricket and has already surpassed him in several records. In his illustrious 24-year international career, Sachin scored 2000-plus international runs five times, securing the third position on this list. In the years 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2007, Sachin was the top scorer from India at the highest level, accumulating 2000+ runs across formats in these years.
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4. Mahela Jayawardena (Sri Lanka) - 5 Times
Mahela Jayawardena, a prolific right-handed batter from Sri Lanka, stood as another stalwart in international cricket. Accumulating nearly 26,000 international runs, Jayawardena excelled in all formats, carving out a name for himself on the grandest stage of the game. Following Sachin Tendulkar, he ranks second when it comes to scoring 2000-plus runs in a calendar year.
In the years 2001, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2013, Jayawardena ranked among the highest run-scorers in international cricket, surpassing 2000 runs in each of these years. His best year was 2001, when he achieved a remarkable feat by scoring over 2300 runs in a single calendar year.
5. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) - 4 Times
Jacques Kallis, the only player outside Asia to score 2000 runs four or more times in a calendar year, hails from South Africa. A right-handed batter who can bowl right-arm medium, Kallis stood among the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. With a tally of over 25,000 international runs, he showcased his prolific skills in both batting and bowling departments for the Proteas.
The South African all-rounder has been unparalleled and unquestionably the finest. He achieved the feat of scoring over 2000 runs in the years 2000, 2004, 2007, and 2010. Thanks to his outstanding career and consistent performance, he holds the fifth position on this list and stands as the sole non-Asian player.
Conclusion -
In the dynamic world of cricket, these five players have etched their names in history by crossing the remarkable milestone of 2000 runs in a calendar year. Witnessing their outstanding performances has never been easier – stay updated with real-time cricket. Your ultimate guide to cricket live line and expert insights await you. Download the Fast Live Line app and visit the website, guided by the expertise of the Live Line Guru, ensuring you never miss a moment of the cricketing action.
