“Run Machine” – a term used by the cricket community for a batsman who consistently scores heavily and accumulates runs with ease. Only the best players with exceptionally high averages ever get dubbed with the name. With that in mind, who is the “Run Machine” in cricket?
The majority of cricket fans believe that Indian legend Virat Kohli is the most deserving of the title. If you’re a cricket fan, Kohli’s impressive form is no secret, consistently scoring huge scores in both national and domestic competition. His fierce and aggressive approach at the crease makes him a huge fan favourite. Despite his 2022 form, his legacy is enough for him to keep the esteemed title.
At the time of writing, he holds the record for most runs scored in a single Indian Premier League season – 973 runs in 2016. He has scored over 8,000 runs in 101 test matches, including 27 centuries, averaging almost 50. In One Day Internationals, Kohli has scored 43 centuries in his first 260 games, second only to Sachin Tendulkar.
Impressive right? Well, the stats do not stop there. Check out the full list of his records below:
- Holds the world record for the most double centuries in test matches
- Holds the record for scoring the most 150+ scores in test matches
- Is the first ever IPL captain to score 500 runs in three seasons
- The only Indian cricketer to average over 50 in test matches and one day internationals
- Scored the fastest 1000 ODI runs in 11 innings
- Became the first batsman to score 20000 international runs in a decade
Who Else Has Been Called the ”Run Machine”?
There are many excellent batsmen that may well deserve the nickname “Run Machine”.
In England, legendary opener Alastair Cook is often seen as a contender for the title. Now retired, Cook is still England’s leading run scorer in test matches. With that being said, current test captain Joe Root is hot on his tail, scoring his second century in a series against New Zealand in 2022.
Australia cricket fans consider Steve Smith to be their candidate worthy of the name. It’s said that England supporters would likely agree due to his strong performance in various Ashes series over the years.
Other potential contenders for the nickname include Kane Williamson of New Zealand and Babar Azam of Pakistan.
Conclusion
To conclude, the term “Run Machine” is a highly desired title in the world of cricket by all professional batsman. While there are many players who could potentially be considered for the title, the majority of cricket fans point their finger towards Virat Kohli as the most deserving of the nickname. Looking at Kohli’s numerous accolades, it’s hard to argue the case of any other player. At the age of 34, we’re confident Kohli will keep adding runs to his already impressive tally, perhaps cementing the “Run Machine” nickname forever.
