Top 10 batsmen with most runs in test cricket

Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for scoring most runs in test cricket.

Test cricket is the oldest format of the game, which demands skills, hard work, and a lot of patience to succeed. Every year, many new players make their debut for their country, but only a few of them get a chance to represent their country for a long time.

This is because it is not easy to perform consistently due to challenging conditions. That is why scoring 10,000 runs in test cricket is considered a very rare achievement.

In over 148 years of test cricket, only 15 batters have crossed the 10,000-run mark in test cricket. On that note, let’s take a look at the top 10 batters with most runs in test cricket.

Top 10 batsmen with most runs in test cricket

10. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 11814 runs

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene was one of the finest test batters to play for Sri Lanka. He had a successful international career, having scored over 11,000 runs in both test cricket and ODIs. In tests, he played 149 games and scored 11,814 runs at an average of 49.84, with 34 centuries and 50 half-centuries. His best of 374 is the fourth-highest individual score in the longest format of the game.

9. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) – 11867 runs

Shivnarine Chanderpaul is probably the most underrated batter on this list. The left-hander played most of his test career under the shadow of Brian Lara, but was as effective as him. Chanderpaul’s batting style was very different, but it worked for him pretty well, and he has had a successful career. He played most tests (164) for the West Indies and scored 11,867 runs at 51.37, including 30 centuries and 66 half-centuries.

8. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 11953 runs

Brian Lara was arguably the best batter that played for the West Indies in test cricket. He made some rare records in a format that seemed unbreakable. He represented his country in 131 tests and scored 11,953 runs at an average of 52.88, with 34 centuries and 48 half-centuries. His 400 not out is still the highest individual score ever, and he is the only batter to score 375 or more in an innings twice in the longest format of the game.

7. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 12400 runs

Kumar Sangakkara was one of the best batters to play international cricket for Sri Lanka. He was an elegant left-hander, who performed well in all conditions and had an incredible test career, which includes 11 double hundreds, the second-most only after Don Bradman (12). Sangakkara played 134 tests overall and scored 12,400 runs at an average of 57.40, with a best of 319. He also scored 38 centuries and 52 half-centuries in his test career.

6. Alastair Cook (England) – 12472 runs

Being an opener in test cricket is never an easy job because of the challenge of a new ball and tough batting conditions. But Alastair Cook showed the world how to succeed even if the conditions are difficult. The former English captain played 159 consecutive tests, which is a world record. Overall, he featured in 161 tests, scoring 12,472 runs at 45.35, having scored 33 centuries and 57 half-centuries.

5. Rahul Dravid (India) – 13288 runs

Famously known as “The Wall,” Rahul Dravid had an old-school batting technique, which earned him a whole lot of success. From scoring runs in India to SENA countries, he performed consistently throughout and played some memorable innings. Rahul played 164 tests and scored 13,288 runs at an average of 52.31 and a best of 270. He had hit 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries in his career.

4. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 13289 runs

Jacques Kallis was one of his kind and had success not only as a batter, but also as a bowler. A mind-boggling stat suggests that he had a better batting average than Sachin Tendulkar and a better bowling average than Zaheer Khan. That is why he is arguably the best South African to play this sport. Kallis played 166 tests and scored 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37 and a best of 224. He finished with 45 centuries and 58 half-centuries. Not to forget, he also picked 292 wickets in test cricket.

3. Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 13378 runs

There are only a few cricketers who finished with 13,000 or more runs in tests and ODIs, and Ricky Ponting was one of them. The world will know how great a captain he was in history with four ICC titles. But as a batter or player, he was always at the forefront of the opposition and led his team from the front. In test cricket, he played 168 games and scored 13,378 runs at an average of 51.85, with a best of 257. He hit 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries in the longest format of the game.

2. Joe Root (England) – 13391* runs

Modern-day great Joe Root has proved himself as the best test batter of his generation. After having a decent first half of his career, Root has turned himself into a run-machine for England in whites. The way Root is going, there is even a possibility of him becoming the highest run-scorer in test cricket by the time he retires.

So far, Root has played 157 tests and scored 13391* runs at an average of over 50. He has hit 37 tons and 66 half-centuries in the longest format of the game. He has scored most runs and tons for England in the longest format of the game.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 15921 runs

There will be hardly any batting record which doesn’t feature Sachin Tendulkar among the top-ranked players. Not just his runs, centuries, or consistency, his longevity in cricket is an area to admire. He played for four different decades between 1989 and 2013 and retired with a once-in-a-generation international career. In test cricket, he played 200 games and scored 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78, with a best of 248 not out. He slammed 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries as well.

(All stats updated till 25th July, 2025)

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