Players With Most Runs in Test Cricket

Imagine a cricket match that lasts for five days, where the batsmen are faced with countless deliveries from skilled bowlers. In this tough battle, the ultimate goal for many is to score as many points as possible.

Test cricket is the oldest and most traditional format of cricket and is considered the pinnacle of the sport. A five-day match between international teams, with each team having two innings of batting and bowling.

It is the dream of every batsman to score the most runs in this challenging format, showcasing their skill and stamina throughout the game. This is a record that has been chased by countless cricketers for decades.

Some have come close, but only a few have been able to etch their names in the history books. Let us explore the incredible journey of these cricket icons and the records they set.

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List of players with the most runs in Test cricket

Below is the list of top 10 cricketers who have scored the most runs in Test cricket along with their impressive career statistics. These players consistently performed at the highest level and made a lasting impact on the game of cricket. The list includes:

rank

player

nation

span

pad

hostel

running

HS

100

1

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar

India

1989-2013

200

Chapter 329

15921

248*

51

2

Ricky Thomas Ponting

Australia

1995-2012

168

Chapter 287

13378

Chapter 257

41

3

Jacques Henry Callis

South Africa

1995-2013

166

280

13289

224

45

4

Rahul Dravid

India

1996-2012

164

Chapter 286

13288

270

36

5

Joseph Edward Root

England

2012-2024

148

270

12716

262

35

6

Alastair Nathan Cook

England

2006-2018

161

Chapter 291

12472

294

33

7

Kumar Chowkshanada Sangakkara

Sri Lanka

2000-2015

134

233

12400

Chapter 319

38

8

Brian Charles Lara

west indies

1990-2006

131

Chapter 232

11953

400*

34

9

Shivnareen Chanderpaul

west indies

1994-2015

164

280

11867

203*

30

10

Mahela de Silva Jayewardene

Sri Lanka

1997-2014

149

Chapter 252

11814

Chapter 374

34

11

alan robert bode

Australia

1978-1994

156

265

11174

205

No. 27

12

Stephen Roger Waugh

Australia

1985-2004

168

260

10927

200

32

13

Sunil Manohar Gavaskar

India

1971-1987

125

214

10122

236*

34

14

Younis Khan

Pakistan

2000-2017

118

213

10099

313

34

15

Steven Peter Devereux Smith

Australia

2010-2024

109

195

9685

239

32

16

Hashim Muhammad Amla

South Africa

2004-2019

124

215

9282

311*

28

No. 17

Graeme Craig Smith

South Africa

2002-2014

117

205

9265

Chapter 277

27

18

Virat Kohli

India

2011-2024

116*

197

9017

254*

29

No. 19

Graham Allen Gooch

England

1975-1995

118

215

8900

Chapter 333

20

20

Kane Stewart Williamson

New Zealand

2010-2024

102

180

8881

Chapter 251

32

twenty one

Javed Miandad

Pakistan

1976-1993

124

189

8832

280*

twenty three

twenty two

David Andrew Warner

Australia

2011-2024

112

205

8786

335*

26

twenty three

Vanjipulap Venkata Sai Laxman

India

1996-2012

134

225

8781

Chapter 281

No. 17

twenty four

Abraham Benjamin de Villiers

South Africa

2004-2018

114

191

8765

278*

No. 22

25

Michael John Clark

Australia

2004-2015

115

198

8643

329*

28

26

Matthew Lawrence Hayden

Australia

1994-2009

103

184

8625

380

30

No. 27

Virender Sehwag

India

2001-2013

104

180

8586

Chapter 319

twenty three

28

Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards

west indies

1974-1991

121

182

8540

Chapter 291

twenty four

29

Alec James Stewart

England

1990-2003

133

235

8463

190

15

30

David Yvonne Gower

England

1978-1992

117

204

8231

215

18

Source: ESPNcricinfo

India’s Sachin Tendulkar holds the illustrious record for most runs in Test cricket, having scored an incredible 15,921 runs in his 24-year career. His ability to adapt to different conditions and bowlers makes him a formidable opponent. He played 200 games and scored a highest score of 248 not out while maintaining an average of 53.78.

He is followed by Ricky Ponting, who scored 13,378 runs in 168 games from 1995 to 2012, with a highest score of 257 and an average of 51.85. Another famous player is Jacques Kallis, who accumulated 13,289 points in 166 games, with a maximum score of 224 and an average of 55.37.

Virat Kohli has emerged as a standout figure in Test cricket in recent years and as of 2024, he ranks fourth with 9,685 runs. His highest score is 239 and he maintains an impressive average of 56.97.

These records not only highlight the brilliance of individuals but also the evolution of batting in Test cricket over the decades, demonstrating the dedication and skill required to excel at this level.

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