Records That Might Never Be Broken in International Cricket
Published - 12 Jun 2025, 04:14 PM | Updated - 12 Jun 2025, 04:27 PM
There is no denying that sports are some of the most beloved and cherished pastime activities all over the world. Regardless of the area and the sport, both young and old, men and women are playing it, watching it, and cheering on their favorite players and teams. However, certain parts of the world prefer a sport more than anyone else, or anywhere else, which makes them synonymous with it. It becomes their national sport and, therefore, a matter of pride and joy. For Southeast Asia and many Commonwealth countries, cricket is exactly this, and it has long transcended the boundaries of sport. It is a way of life in countries like India, Pakistan, and Australia, whose players are some of the best in history. And speaking of history, the next best thing when talking sports, besides actively keeping up with it and playing it, of course, is knowing the stats and data.
Keeping a detailed ledger in your mind and knowing which team won when and who the biggest stars are playing for is only the tip of the iceberg, though. The real statistical analysis comes in the form of records, particularly ones that may never be broken. And in cricket, there are many of them on the international stage. So if you are a fan of this sport and want to know whatever there is about it, this is exactly the type of thing to pay attention to. Read on as we explore records that might never be broken in international cricket and why that is.
Famous Records in International Cricket
Cricket is a sport with a long tradition and one that has been played for centuries. Many people do not realize just how deep its roots run in the countries where it is the biggest sport. It features uncertainties, excitement, competitiveness, and a plethora of stars. Therefore, countless records exist that have been etched into the history books. As the benchmarks are being surpassed by new generations of players, some of them still stand tall, so tall in fact that they are virtually untouchable.
Granted, that has been thought about in many other sports, like the most points scored in the NBA set by Kareem Abdul Jabbar, which LeBron James passed. But that is what sports are about: one legend surpassing another. So, however high the monument of brilliance and endurance may be, perhaps an anomaly, someone will eventually beat it. But before that happens, we explore some of these near mythical feats in cricket that nobody thinks can be beaten. It is, after all, something every passionate cricket betting fan should know about, especially those tracking the action on Stake.
100 International Centuries
Here is perhaps the most untouchable of them all, a record set by Sachin Tendulkar during his career between 1989 and 2013. On March 16, 2012, versus Bangladesh, the Indian legend got his 100th century. No cricketer has even come close to this, as Tendulkar has 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs. A career spanning 24 seasons is already incredible, let alone hitting 100 centuries.
So why is it hard to break it? Modern cricket schedules are packed, and the physical and mental toll is immense. Due to shorter careers and frequent rotations, as well as the rise of T20 specialists, a single player may never get the same longevity or maintain consistency over two and a half decades. For comparison, Virat Kohli, a legend, has 82 so far, and he has retired from several formats.
800 Test Wickets
Muttiah Muralitharan, who played from 1992 to 2010, set the record in his final Test on July 22, 2010. The spin wizard from Sri Lanka had a cinematic ending to his Test career when he claimed his 800th wicket with the final ball of his career. What a moment to have as a professional athlete. During his career, he was masterful at variation, deception, and guile as he tormented batters wherever he played.
His record is practically unbreakable because the modern game is favoring shorter formats more and more. The bowlers rarely get the volume of Test matches that Murali’s generation did. Take into account injuries, rest periods, and workload management, and even reaching several hundred wickets is a tall order in the modern game. If a player reaches 600, it would be a miracle, let alone adding 200 more. Only two other players have cracked 700.
19 Wickets in a Single Test Match
Career spanning records are not the only type that may never be broken. In all honesty, fans and experts tend to prefer single game records more as they are situational and speak volumes as to how difficult it can be to achieve such a performance. The Englishman Jim Laker knows a thing or two about this. In July of 1956, against Australia at Old Trafford of all places, the off spinner achieved the unthinkable. He got 19 wickets in a single Test match as he took 9.37 in the first innings and 10/53 in the second. It remains the best match figures in the history of the format and has stood unchallenged for almost 70 years.
It is one of those untouchable feats of skill and form, like 100 points in a basketball game by Wilt Chamberlain. The conditions, technology, and batting techniques have improved dramatically over the years, and modern day pitches and rules that favor the bat make this type of performance improbable. Spinners are rotated for fatigue reasons, which reduces the chances of such individual dominance in one game. It is safe to say that this record will never be broken.
264 Runs in a Single ODI Innings
Stepping away from Tests for a bit, let us explore an incredible ODI format record that will surely remain for a long time. On November 13, 2014, Rohit Sharma of India was playing against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens. The One Day Internationals format is brisk, without much room for error or staggering performances, but Sharma managed it. His 264 runs included facing 173 balls, hitting 33 fours, and 9 sixes.
Even with the high amount of scoring in the modern game, this record remains a monstrous tally. Batters rarely get the luxury of batting more than 50 overs. There is constant pressure to accelerate that limits them. This number of innings was the perfect storm that happens only once, as fitness, form, and flawed bowling from the opponents meshed together to produce this juggernaut performance.
Most International Matches as Captain
Having a long career does not always imply playing as a captain for a long time. Mahendra Singh (MS) Dhoni, though, captained India’s national team from 2007 to 2018 and now holds the record with 332 games. Playing in Tests, ODIs, and T20s alike, he remains unrivaled in terms of leadership and career longevity. He led his country to the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, and the 2010 and 2016 Asia Cups. It was anything but empty captaincy and dry title spells.
Due to modern captaincy being divided across formats, no player can accumulate as many as Dhoni throughout their career. Few players last long enough to come close or are good and beloved enough, and for so long, to captain all three squads for more than a decade. Even as an elite performer and trusted leader, a sustained role like this will hardly be seen, unless another incredibly stalwart and successful player comes around.
International Cricket Trivia and Facts
Since cricket is such a complex game with different formats, competitions, leagues, and a long history, there are many interesting facts and trivia about it. If you are a passionate fan of the game, the following will surely be interesting to learn about.
The longest cricket match in history lasted for 10 days. It was a Test series match between England and South Africa in 1939, which has since been dubbed the "Timeless Test." The duel did not have a time limit and ended in a draw because the England team had to catch their boat home.
Cricket has been played on every continent except Antarctica. While not all continents host official international matches, both exhibition and ice cricket games have so far been held around the world, including remote areas like the Swiss Alps.
The fastest delivery ever bowled in an international cricket game was achieved by Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar. He clocked an astonishing 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) against England during the 2003 Cricket World Cup.
The first ever international cricket match was not between England and Australia, the usual suspects. It was actually between the USA and Canada in 1844, and it took place in New York. There were over 10,000 spectators. Nowadays, neither the USA nor Canada is a cricket country.
As for Test cricket, Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka holds the record for the most wickets with 800. He achieved this incredible stat in just 133 matches, which is an amazing rate and a record on its own.
Chris Gayle is the only player who has hit a six off the very first ball of a Test match. He did it against Bangladesh in 2012 and helped set a very aggressive tone from the start.
In 1999, an Indian bowler, Anil Kumble, took all 10 wickets in a single Test innings against Pakistan. Only one other player in history, Jim Laker, has achieved this, as it is an unprecedented development for a game.
The 2007 Cricket World Cup featured a total of 51 matches, but both India and Pakistan were eliminated in the group stage. This development shocked fans and broadcasters alike and opened the way to the title that saw Australia win it all.
Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world, with over 2.5 billion fans. This incredible stat is mostly due to India’s population, but it is also the national sport in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, and England. Only football has a bigger global following.
FAQs about International Cricket
- What is the difference between Test, ODI, and T20 cricket?
Test cricket is the longest format played over 5 days. ODIs are limited to 50 overs per side. The newest, T20s, are the shortest format with just 20 overs per side and a fan favorite in the modern day and age.
- Why do cricket balls swing in the air?
The famous swing occurs due to the aerodynamics of the ball, especially when one side is shiny and the other rough. Bowlers use this to their advantage to deceive batters.
- Which country has won the most Cricket World Cups?
Australia has won the most men’s ICC Cricket World Cups with 5 titles.
- What is the significance of the Ashes series?
The Ashes is a historic Test series between England and Australia that dates back to 1882. It symbolizes one of the fiercest rivalries in sport and a centuries old tradition.
- Can a cricket match end in a tie or draw?
Yes. A match can end in a tie if both teams score the same runs. In Tests, a draw happens if the game is not completed in time.
- Who is considered the greatest cricketer of all time?
Many regard the Australian Sir Donald Bradman as the greatest due to his amazing Test average of 99.94.
- How does the Decision Review System (DRS) work in cricket?
DRS uses technology similar to other sports, like ball tracking, UltraEdge, and Hawk Eye, to assist umpires in making accurate decisions when challenged by players. It is an important modern addition to the game.
- What are some of the strangest dismissals in cricket?
Unusual dismissals include hitting the ball twice, obstructing the field, and being timed out, all of which are rare but part of the official rulebook.
- Which countries are full members of the ICC?
Full members are countries that are allowed to play Test matches. There are currently 12 full members, including the most popular and successful ones like India, Australia, England, Pakistan, and South Africa.````
