Ravindra Jadeja on Saturday added another golden chapter to his Test career by becoming only the fourth cricketer in history to score the double of 4,000 runs and 300 wickets in the longest format. The world number one in Tests achieved the milestone during the opening Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens, becoming only the second Indian after Kapil Dev to do so.
Jadeja, who is playing his 88th Test, needed just 10 runs to reach the 4000-run mark on the second morning in Kolkata. He completed the milestone with characteristic calm moments before India went to lunch, still for 159 in South Africa’s first innings. With over 338 wickets to his name, the 36-year-old joins Kapil Dev, Ian Botham and Daniel Vettori in an exclusive list.
Players with 4000 Test runs and 300 Test wickets
Kapil Dev (India) – 5248 runs, 434 wickets
Ian Botham (England) – 5200 runs, 383 wickets
Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) – 4531 runs, 362 wickets
Ravindra Jadeja (India) – 4000 runs, 338 wickets*
In terms of pace, Jadeja is now the second fastest at the two, having achieved it in his 88th Test. Only Botham has done it faster, reaching the milestone in his 72nd match.
During his career, Jadeja averaged over 38 with the bat, with six sets and 27 fifties, while his left-arm spin earned him 331 wickets at 25.25, including 15 five-wicket hauls. His all-round impact has long been a focal point of India’s red-ball strength and the latest success underlines his status among the best all-rounders of the modern era.
India vs. South Africa 1st Test Day 2: Live
Heading into the match, India were 132 for four when Dhruv Jurel joined Jadeja at the crease. The pair added 17 runs for the fifth wicket before the break, reducing the deficit to ten runs.
Earlier in the day, Rishabh Pant also entered the record books. The left-handed wicketkeeper surpassed Virender Sehwag’s 90 sixes to become India’s leading six hitter in Test cricket. Pant hit Keshav Maharaj for two sixes during his blistering 27 off 24 balls before being dismissed by Corbin Bosch.
Jadeja’s milestone combined with Pant’s record-breaking knock gave India much-needed momentum as they looked to build a first-innings lead in the opening match of the two-Test series.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
November 15, 2025
