List of Indian cricketers to play 100 or more matches in test cricket

So far, 13 Indian cricketers have played 100 or more matches in test cricket.

Indian legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar is the only cricketer in the world to have played 200 test matches. While every cricketer dreams to represent their national side in test cricket, only talented ones backed with some luck get that golden opportunity and among them, only a few play more than 100 test matches.

There are number of cricketers who went on to represent their country in more than 100 test matches. For India, the list includes a few big names who have played more than 100 test matches. Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar was the first Indian cricketer to play 100 or more matches in test cricket. Since then, 12 more have played 100 or more tests for India. On that note, let’s have a look at the Indian cricketers to have played 100 or more matches in test cricket.

Here are the Indian cricketers to have played 100 or more matches in test cricket:

1. Sunil Gavaskar:

Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar was the first player to play 100 test matches for India. Sunil Gavaskar began his cricketing career at the age of 22 and went on to represent Indian team for 16 years in test cricket. Sunil Gavaskar also finished his career as the leading run-scorer in test cricket.

Sunil Gavaskar played 125 test matches in his career and scored 10,122 runs at an average of 51.12. He also held the record for most number of centuries in test cricket for a long time. Gavaskar hit 34 test tons in his 16-year-long career. He made his test debut against West Indies in 1971 and played his last test match against arch-rivals Pakistan in Bengaluru in 1987.

2. Kapil Dev:

The 1983 World Cup winning Indian captain, Kapil Dev was the second player from India to breach the 100 test matches barrier. Kapil Dev had a glorious international career and finished as the then leading wicket-taker in test cricket, overtaking Sir Richard Hadlee. Kapil Dev played 131 test matches for India and picked up 434 wickets.

Kapil Dev scored 5248 runs in the 131 test matches he played for India. He is the only Indian all-rounder with a double of 5000 Runs and 400 test wickets. He made his test debut against Pakistan in 1978 and played his final test match against New Zealand in 1994.

3. Dilip Vengsarkar:

Fondly known as ‘Colonel,’ Dilip Vengsarkar is also among Indian players who have played more than 100 test matches in their career. Dilip Vengsarkar is widely credited for his brilliant batting performances in test cricket.

Dilip Vengsarkar played 116 test matches for team India and scored 6868 runs in 185 innings. His career batting average was 42.13 with 17 test centuries. Dilip Vengsarkar made his test debut for India against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland during India’s tour of NZ in 1976. His final test match for India came in 1992 against Australia at WACA Stadium in Perth.

4. Sachin Tendulkar:

Matching his longevity in test cricket will be an unachievable task for any player in the current era. Sachin Tendulkar made his debut at the age of 16, but retired after inspiring two different generations of cricketers. In his 24-year long cricketing career, Sachin Tendulkar played 200 test matches and scored 15921 test runs. He is still the leading run-scorer in test cricket.

He also holds the record for most centuries in test cricket. He scored 51 test hundreds in his career. Sachin Tendulkar made his debut against Pakistan in 1989 and played his last test match against West Indies in 2013.

5. Anil Kumble:

Indian cricket’s ‘Jumbo,’ made his entry during India’s tour of England in 1990. The tall Indian leg-spinner went on to pick 619 test wickets with just marginal turn in his leg-break bowling. Anil Kumble played 132 test matches and ended his career as the leading wicket-taker for India with 619 wickets.

Kumble made his test debut against England at Old Trafford in 1990 and played his last test match against Australia in 2008. He also led Indian cricket team in test cricket. He captained India in 14 test matches and India won three games under his leadership, including the iconic Perth test win against Australia in 2008.

6. Sourav Ganguly:

India became a dominant force in test cricket under Sourav Ganguly’s leadership. He made India an invincible side in test cricket with his leadership skills. India lost only one test series at home under Sourav Ganguly. Former Indian captain made his grand entry into test cricket at Lord’s in 1996 and smashed his first ever test ton on his debut match.

From there he went on to play 113 test matches and scored 7212 runs in test cricket. His final test match was against Australia in 2008. Left-hand batter Sourav Ganguly played 49 test matches as captain of the side and India won 21 games under his leadership.

7. Rahul Dravid:

Rahul Dravid is one of the finest batters in test cricket. Rahul Dravid came in along with Sourav Ganguly and made his test debut at Lord’s against England in 1996. He scored 95 runs in his first test match for India. He finished his career with 163 test matches and scored 13,288 runs in test cricket at an average of 52.31, he is currently India’s second highest run-scorer in test cricket.

Rahul Dravid smashed 36 test centuries in his career. He also led Indian side in 25 test matches. He is rated among the most underrated cricket captains in test cricket. Under his captaincy, India won their first test in South Africa and they also won a test series in England after 20 years in 2007.

8. VVS Laxman:

VVS Laxman was India’s crisis manager under Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni’s captaincy in test cricket. VVS Laxman played 134 test matches for India and contributed in many historical wins. VVS Laxman’s 281-run knock against Australia at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata is still fresh in everyone’s memory.

Laxman scored 8781 runs in 225 innings he batted for India. He also scored 17 test centuries for India. VVS Laxman made his test debut against South Africa in 1996 and played his final test match against Australia in 2012.

9. Virender Sehwag:

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag holds the record for highest individual score by an Indian batter in test cricket. Virender Sehwag scored two triple tons in his long career of 103 test matches for India. Sehwag scored 309 against Pakistan in Multan and 319 against South Africa in Chennai.

Sehwag played 103 test matches for India and scored 8586 runs. Sehwag started his career as a middle-order batter, but was promoted as an opener after a few test matches. He made his test debut against South Africa in 2001 and played his last against Australia at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on 2013.

10. Harbhajan Singh:

Legendary Indian off-spinner was once India’s super star in test cricket. Harbhajan Singh earned respect around the world with his fabulous performances in test cricket. Harbhajan Singh began at an early age in test cricket, but slowly he established himself as one of the legendary figures in Indian cricket.

Harbhajan Singh played 103 test matches for India and picked up 417 wickets. His contribution is immense in making India an invincible side at home. Harbhajan Singh made his test debut against Australia in 1998, at an early age of just 17. He played his final test against Sri Lanka in 2015.

11. Ishant Sharma:

Indian pace bowler Ishant Sharma made a grand entry into test cricket. Even Ricky Ponting was unable to find his feet on bouncy Australian wickets while facing the lanky Indian pacer Ishant Sharma. With an early impact into in the game, Ishant Sharma kept himself going for 14 years. Ishant Sharma played 105 test matches for India and picked up 311 wickets.

Ishant Sharma led Indian pace attack before the next generation of bowlers. Ishant Sharma made his test debut against Bangladesh in 2007 and his last test came against New Zealand at Greenpark Stadium in Kanpur in 2022. He is yet to retire from the game, but he has been out of the scheme of things for a while now.

12. Virat Kohli:

Star Indian batter Virat Kohli had a troubled beginning to his test career but a century at Adelaide Oval against Australia during Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2012 made him a competitive player across all formats of the game. From there he never looked back in his test career and he is still going strong.

Virat Kohli has so far played 113 test matches for India and scored 8848 runs at an average of 49.15, he has also smashed 29 test centuries for India. Virat Kohli made his test debut against West Indies at Kingston in 2011. He is also India’s most successful skipper in test cricket. India won 40 test matches out of 68 when he was the captain of the side.

13. Cheteshwar Pujara:

Cheteshwar Pujara is the latest Indian cricketer to play 100 or more matches in test cricket. Pujara has played many big knocks for India in the longest format of the game. Some of his best innings have came in foreign soil, where has has dominated the opposition bowlers. He is one of the finest players of spin bowling.

So far, Pujara has played 103 test matches for India and has scored 7195 runs at an average of 43.60 including 19 hundreds. He made his test debut against Australia in 2010.

14. Ravichandran Ashwin:

Ravichandran Ashwin etched his name deeper into Indian cricketing history. The wily off-spinner joins an elite group of Indian greats and becomes the 14th cricketer from the nation to achieve this milestone. Ashwin’s career boasts an impressive record of 507 wickets at an average of just over 23, including 35 five-wicket hauls. With the bat, Ashwin has contributed over 3,300 runs with five centuries.

(All stats updated till 7th March, 2024)

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