Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson (AP/PTI)

kane williamsonHis retirement from international cricket has reignited discussions about one of Test cricket’s most iconic milestones: 10,000 runs.The New Zealand great ended a remarkable 16-year international career with 9,515 Test runs to his name, leaving him just 485 runs short of joining the 10,000-run club. His retirement means he becomes the latest batting great of modern times to come close to achieving the historic feat without quite getting there.Here are four legendary batsmen who retired just short of the coveted 10,000 Test runs mark.

1. ken Williamson (New Zealand)

Williamson’s decision to retire midway through New Zealand’s Test series against England surprised many, especially given how close he was to the 10,000-run milestone.The former New Zealand captain became his country’s highest international run-scorer across all formats with 19,346 runs. In Test cricket, he scored 9,515 runs in 110 matches at an impressive average of 54.06, which included 33 centuries and six double centuries.Williamson, widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s greatest cricketers, left the game just 485 runs away from joining Test cricket’s most exclusive batting club.

2. Virat Kohli (India)

One of Williamson’s fellow members in the famous “Fab Four”, Virat Kohli Retired before reaching the coveted milestone.The Indian batting superstar announced his Test retirement on May 12, 2025, ending a career that changed Indian cricket as both a batsman and captain.Kohli scored 9,230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85 and scored 30 centuries. Given his fitness level and experience, many believed he still had enough potential left to achieve 10,000 Test runs, but he opted out with 770 runs still needed.

3. Graeme Smith (South Africa)

One of the youngest captains in Test history and one of South Africa’s greatest leaders, Graeme Smith unexpectedly retired during the final Test of the 2014 series against Australia.Smith retired from his career at the age of just 33, a decision that shocked the cricket world as it seemed that he still had many years of cricket left in him.The left-handed batsman ended his Test career with 9,265 runs in 117 matches at an average of 48.25, which included 27 centuries. Had he continued a little longer, the 10,000-run mark would almost certainly have been within reach.

4. Hashim Amla (South Africa)

Another South African great who missed the milestone by a narrow margin was Hashim Amla.Known for his brilliant strokeplay and remarkable consistency, Amla retired from international cricket in August 2019 after establishing himself as one of the finest batsmen of his generation.He scored 9,282 Test runs in 124 matches at an average of 46.64 and scored 28 centuries. Amla remains South Africa’s second-highest Test run-scorer and still holds the record for the highest individual Test score by a South African.Like Williamson, Kohli and Smith, Amla also came close to the historic 10,000-run mark, but ultimately missed out on becoming a member of cricket’s most exclusive batting club.