Top 5 batsmen with most runs in a test match

Only five batsmen have scored over 400 runs in a test match.

Test cricket is a format of big numbers. From a team total close to 1000 runs to ten wickets in a test innings, this format has seen some mind-boggling numbers.

When it comes to highest individual score in an innings in test cricket, we all know the West Indies legend Brian Lara holds the record with 400*, which he scored against England in 2004. Apart from Lara, no other batter has achieved the feat in an innings in test cricket, but four other batters have scored 400 or more runs in a test match.

On that note, let’s take a look at top five batsmen with most runs in a test match (aggregate of both innings scores).

List of top five batsmen with most runs in a test match:

5. Brian Lara (400*) vs England, St. John’s, 2004

The highest individual score in a test innings was recorded in April 2004 when West Indies batter Brian Lara reached new heights and went on to become the first batter to score 400 runs in an innings. He is still the only batter to do so.

He recorded this feat at St. John’s against England in April 2004 and set the world record. Though the match ended in a draw, Lara recorded the fifth-highest individual match aggregate in a test match.

4. Kumar Sangakkara (424) vs Bangladesh, Chattogram, 2014

Only two batters in history of test cricket have recorded a triple ton and a century in a single test. Former Sri Lankan wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara is one of them. He registered his test career best of 319 in Chattogram against Bangladesh in 2014.

Sangakkara made 319 runs, with eight sixes and 32 fours in the first innings, followed by a 144-ball 105 in the second. The Sri Lankan legend finished with 424 runs, the most by a Sri Lankan in a test match.

3. Mark Taylor (426) vs Pakistan, Peshawar, 1998

Mark Taylor holds the record for third-highest individual test score for Australia. He scored it against Pakistan in 1998 in Peshawar. Taylor scored an unbeaten 334 off 564 balls in the first innings.

Both teams played more than 172 overs in their respective first innings. Australia got a chance to bat again, and Taylor scored 92 runs, missing his second century of the game. He finished with a total of 426 runs in the game, which is the third-highest individual total in a test match.

2. Shubman Gill (430) vs England, Edgbaston, 2025

The highest individual aggregate for India and the second highest overall was recorded by Shubman Gill. This came in his second test as captain in 2025 against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Gill had a record-breaking game, where he scored 269 and 161 in two innings, a total of 430 runs in the match. He registered the record for most runs by an Asian batter in a test match, the highest test score by an Asian captain, the first batter with a score of 200+ and 150+ in the same match, and many more.

1. Graham Gooch (456) vs India, Lord’s, 1990

The record for most runs in a single test match by a batter is held by former England captain Graham Gooch. In 1990 at the Lord’s Cricket Ground against India, Gooch scored his highest individual score of 333 runs, which included 43 fours and three sixes.

He had another impactful knock in the second innings and scored 123 off 113 balls, at a strike rate of 108.84. He scored 456 runs across two innings and etched his name in the record books.

(All stats updated till 7th July, 2025)

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