Virat Kohli and Hashim Amla: Two Modern Greats Who Fell Shy of the 10,000 Runs Mark in Test Cricket

Had Kohli played on and crossed the 10,000-run mark, he would have joined an elite list of Indian players who have done the same, including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar . His achievement would have also made India the first country in Test cricket history, with four batters in the 10,000-run club. The RCB star still remains fourth on the list of run-getters for India, in red-ball cricket.

Kohli’s shock retirement from Test cricket before making it past the 10,000-run milestone puts him in the same category as former South African batter Hashim Amla. The legendary right-handed opener, also retired at the age of 36, in August 2019. Amla called time on his career after featuring in 124 matches for the South African Test team, one more than Kohli’s appearances.

During his 15-year career, he amassed 9,282 runs but retired only 718 runs shy of reaching the 10,000-run mark. Moreover, the two batters also experienced a similar career trajectory, during their final playing days. Despite being a remarkable all-format player, Amla’s Test average slipped down from 52.79, to 46.46, in his last two years, while Kohli’s average dropped from from 54.98 to 46.85, in almost the same duration of years.

However, their records in white-ball cricket differ significantly. While, Virat Kohli is the third-highest run-scorer in ODI history with 14,181 runs in 302 matches, his South African counter-part Hashim Amla ranks a distant 30th on the list, with 8,113 runs in 181 ODI matches.

Sunil Gavaskar bluntly predicts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to miss 2027 ODI World Cup

Indian cricketing great Sunil Gavaskar surprisingly predicted that veteran stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would not be a part of India’s 2027 ODI World Cup squad. Gavaskar’s claim came immediately after the duo, most recently announced their retirement from playing Test cricket. 

While Rohit Sharma declared that he would call time on his Test career on May 7, Virat Kohli followed suit on May 12. Following the retirement saga, Gavaskar expressed doubt about their consistent contribution to the ODI team until the 2027 World Cup, which is still two years away. He also highlighted fitness as a potential obstacle for both players in maintaining their form and availability over that extended period.

Will they be able to make the kind of contributions they have been making? That will be the thought process of the selection committee… I don’t think they will be playing. I am being very honest.

Sunil Gavaskar on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (H/T India Today)

Interestingly, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had also retired from T20Is together, following India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory. The duo, despite their receding age, also won the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in the United Arab Emirates, a few months back, playing out an unbeaten campaign.