10 Cricket Records That May Never Be Broken

Cricket is a game that revolves around numbers that create many records, but some players create unbreakable cricket records that might never be broken.

Over the years, many players have set records that showcased their class and skills, and some of those milestones have been later broken. However, there are still a few records that may never be broken in the future; ultimately, it is a game.

These records span various periods of cricket history. Some belong to the golden age of Test cricket, while others were set in modern ODI matches and T20 international cricket. Let’s take a look at the 10 records that will be etched in the record books forever.

Top 10 Unbreakable Cricket Records of All Time

1. Sachin Tendulkar – 100 International Centuries

The god of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, holds 100 International centuries, which will be etched in the record books forever. Even scoring 50 centuries makes any player talented, but scoring 100 centuries is something truly unbelievable.

Cricket history will always be inseparably linked to Tendulkar’s part in it, and alongside holding the most centuries, he will also have the highest total score in history. He also holds most records still in cricket.

2. Muttiah Muralitharan – 1347 International Wickets

Sri Lankan spin wizard brought his career to a close with 1347 International wickets. No one has breached that mark since. Muralitharan bowled long spells on turning pitches, with his side relying on him to get the breakthroughs. His action and endurance were unparalleled.

James Anderson, a modern-day legend, can be as good, but with shorter Test careers and more rigorous workload management, this figure looks unachievable.

3. Brian Lara – 400 Not Out in a Test Innings

In 2004, West Indies legend Brian Lara scored 400 runs in a single innings against England. It remains the highest score by any batsman in Test cricket. He showed patience, skill, and a hunger for runs.

In the modern era, this record seems unbreakable because every team wants to achieve a result in a test. Still, recently Wian Mulder came close and could have broken it, but he said he didn’t want to chase the legendary record, as he had scored 367 runs in just 334 balls against Zimbabwe.

4. Jim Laker – 19 Wickets in a Test Match

In 1956, Jim Laker, against the England team at Old Trafford, created a record that may never be broken, as he took nine wickets in the first innings and 10 in the second to make it 19 out of 20 in a test match.

No bowler today is likely to repeat this. Pitches are fairer, teams have batting depth, and wickets are usually shared among bowlers. This remains one of the most unique records in Test cricket.

5. Rohit Sharma – 264 Runs in an ODI Match

In 2014, Rohit Sharma smashed 264 runs against Sri Lanka in an ODI. It is still the highest individual score in a one-day international. He paced his innings perfectly, slow at first, explosive at the end. He alone smashed three double centuries in ODI, which is too rare.

Double centuries in ODIs are rare, and crossing 260 looks nearly impossible. Teams today often spread out the batting load. Another 264 may never happen again.

6. Sir Donald Bradman – Career Average of 99.94

No record defines cricket more than Australia cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman’s Test match average of 99.94. Across his career, Bradman scored with such dominance that no one has come close.

Even legends like Virat Kohli and Steve Smith average around 50. It is the most famous number in cricket history, and most believe it will never be matched. Sir Donald Bradman’s average is going to be the highest ever.

7. MS Dhoni – Most Not Outs in ODIs

MS Dhoni finished unbeaten 84 times in his ODI career. As a finisher, Dhoni mastered the art of staying till the end. His cool mind and sharp game sense made him the best in pressure chases.

Today’s ODI batting style is faster and riskier. Few players will have the patience or stability to match this record.

8. Wilfred Rhodes – 4,204 First-Class Wickets

English all-rounder Wilfred Rhodes took 4,204 wickets in First-Class cricket. He also played more than 1,100 matches.

This occurred during an era when cricket was primarily played in long-form matches. Players bowled thousands of overs across seasons. With the rise of ODIs, T20s, and Test match limits, no bowler will ever get close to that number.

9. Lockie Ferguson – Most Maidens in T20Is

Lockie Ferguson created an unbroken record of bowling four out of four maidens against the P.N.G., taking three wickets in the T20I match on 17 June 2024. He did something which no bowler or any cricketer would have thought, and he might be the only player who ever achieved this record.

10. Rahul Dravid – Most Catches in Tests (Non-Wicketkeeper)

The reliable Rahul Dravid took 210 catches in Test cricket behind the wickets. He was ever at the ready in the slips, converting half-chances into wickets. However, he also holds the record for the most time spent batting in test cricket (44,152 minutes) and faced the most balls.

In current cricket, with frequent rotation and shorter careers, it is unlikely that anyone will maintain their quickness and reliability.

Could These Records Ever Be Broken?

Cricket has tended to surprise fans time and again. Few believed an ODI double century would ever be possible, yet Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, and others showed it could be achieved.

Nevertheless, figures such as Bradman’s average, Muralitharan’s 800 wickets, and Jim Laker’s 19 in a Test match are apparently unbreakable. They are part of periods that cannot be revisited.

These breakable cricket records illustrate why the game is so much adored. Some are regarding gigantic figures, such as Rhodes’ First-Class wickets. Others are relating to exceptional quality in a solitary inning, such as Yuvraj’s 12-ball fifty or Lara’s 400.

They remind us that cricket is not a sport but a tale penned through time. Records can fall, but some are meant to remain eternal. Which do you think is really impossible to overcome?

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