Indian cricket has changed beyond recognition since the World Cup was won under Kapil Dev’s captaincy in 1983. Since then, India have added another World Cup (2011), the World Championship of Cricket (1985), a Champions Trophy (2013), and a T20 World Cup (2007) to the trophy cabinet, while also sharing the Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka in 2002. When you play on a fantasy cricket app like Howzat this season, the player valuations will reflect Indian cricket’s position on the world stage. Here, we take a look at 15 world records held by Indian cricketers, many of which have contributed hugely to the reputation the country now enjoys in the cricket world. 

1. Most International Runs – Sachin Tendulkar (34,357)

As of now, no one else has even crossed 30,000 runs. Many of the records Tendulkar set in his 24-year-long career may never be broken. 

2. Most International Centuries – Sachin Tendulkar (100)

Out of Sachin’s 100 centuries, as many as 51 were in the Test arena, another world record. Of those currently playing, Virat Kohli has 70. No one else has even 50. 

3. Most Stumpings in International Cricket – MS Dhoni (195)

It’s a measure of how well Dhoni kept to spin and slow medium-pace alike that no one else has come close to this figure. 

4. Most international matches – Sachin Tendulkar (664)

Across that legendary career, Tendulkar also had a record streak of 185 consecutive ODIs. Of those currently playing, Kohli has the most international matches to his name with 451 games.

5. Most Matches as Captain – MS Dhoni (332)

Though he gave up the Test captaincy in Australia in January 2015, Dhoni continued to lead the white-ball teams for much longer before handing over to Kohli. 

6. Best Bowling Figures on Debut in Test Cricket – Narendra Hirwani (16-136)

On an underprepared Chepauk pitch in January 1988, the bespectacled Hirwani destroyed the mighty West Indies with 8 wickets in each innings. An angry Viv Richards, the West Indies’ captain, snarled: “One swallow doesn’t a summer make.” Sadly for Hirwani, he was right.

7. Most Test wickets taken lbw – Anil Kumble (156)

Just over a quarter of all Kumble’s Test wickets came this way. Few batsmen ever mastered his quicker straight one, or the top-spinner he bowled with increasing success later in his career. Traditionally, leg-spinners don’t get many lbws. But little about Kumble’s bowling – he started off as a medium-pacer – was conventional.

8. Fastest to 300 Test wickets – Ravi Ashwin (54 Tests)

Dennis Lillee, the legendary Australian pace bowler, took 56 Tests to get there. Ashwin, who has constantly reinvented himself to stay relevant in all conditions, took 2 matches less. 

9. Most Catches by a Non-Wicketkeeper in Tests – Rahul Dravid (210)

For the best part of 15 years, Indian spinners knew that if they could induce a mistake from the batters, the reliable figure of Dravid would be there in the slip cordon to snaffle the chance. There were some spectacular grabs, but his catching was mostly like his batting – solid and dependable. 

10. Highest Score in ODIs – Rohit Sharma (264)

The highest individual score in ODIs had been improved in small increments for the best part of 40 years. Rohit Sharma, though, didn’t just break Virender Sehwag’s record of 219. He absolutely smashed it, adding 45 more against a hapless Sri Lankan team. 

11. Most 4s in an ODI Innings – Rohit Sharma (33):

In an average ODI innings, most teams manage about 30 boundaries. During his record-breaking 264, Rohit hit 33 boundaries and 9 sixers. The entire Sri Lankan team managed 29 boundaries in response. When you play fantasy cricket, Rohit is usually one of the first picks, whether it’s in ODIs or T20Is. 

12. Fastest to 10,000 ODI Runs – Virat Kohli (205 innings)

Kohli may never match Tendulkar as a Test batter, but he has more than matched his hero in the ODI arena. Tendulkar had taken 259 innings to reach the landmark of 10,000 runs, though he didn’t bat in the top order until nearly 5 years into his career. Kohli raced past the milestone in 54 innings less, having established a reputation as the game’s ultimate chaser. 

13. Highest Batting Average in T20Is – Virat Kohli (52.04)

In the most unpredictable of the formats, most top batters would be thrilled with averaging 40. Kohli, who has struck a record 29 half centuries, is one of only two men to average over 50. His record in the T20 World Cup is also unmatched, as he was the Player of the Tournament in both 2014 and 2016. 

14. Most 50-Plus Scores in T20Is – Rohit Sharma (30)

Kohli may be Mr. Consistent in T20Is, but he still doesn’t have a century. Rohit has 4 of them, in addition to 26 half-centuries. It’s mystifying that with two such dominant batters in their ranks, India still haven’t added to the T20 World Cup they won in 2007.

15. Fastest T20I Century – Rohit Sharma (35 balls vs. Sri Lanka)

Rohit shares this record with South Africa’s David Miller and the Czech Republic’s Sri Lankan-born Sudesh Wickramasekara. It’s a measure of how destructive Rohit was that evening that when he was dismissed in the 13^th over, India already had a par score (165) on the board. He struck 12 boundaries and 10 sixers in his 43-ball 118. 

The matches and action don’t stop, though. New heroes come along, and old records will be shattered. Download the Howzat app and play fantasy cricket, and enhance your cricket-watching experience. Show off your knowledge of the game, test yourself against friends and experts, and enjoy cricket like never before.