Top 10 batsmen with most runs in test cricket

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

Test cricket is the oldest and toughest format of the game. Despite the lucrativeness of white-ball cricket, particularly T20s, players continue to consider test cricket as the ultimate form of the game. The longest format of the game allows you to display your skills over a long period of time.

Over 2000 batsmen have played test cricket but only 14 of them have crossed the 10000-run mark in history.

In this article, we will talk about the top ten run scorers in test cricket.

List of top 10 batsmen with the most runs in Test Cricket

10. Mahela Jayawardene (SL) – 11814 runs

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene is one of the few players who have scored more than 11,000 runs in both ODIs and tests. Overall, he is the fifth-highest scorer in international cricket. In test cricket, he is the tenth leading scorer. He has played most tests for Sri Lanka (149) and scored 11814 runs at an average of 49.84, with a best of 374. He also scored 34 centuries and 50 half-centuries in his test career.

9. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI) – 11867 runs

West Indies have produced many legendary batters in history. Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been an underrated one among them. But his impact on West Indies cricket was massive. He is West Indies’ second-highest test scorer. Chanderpaul played 164 tests between 1994 and 2015 and scored 11867 runs at an average of 51.37, including 30 centuries. He is ninth on the list of most runs in test cricket.

8. Brain Lara (WI) – 11953 runs

Brain Lara is West Indies’ leading test run-scorer and eighth overall. The left-hander was a treat to watch. Lara played 131 tests between 1990 and 2007 and scored 11953 runs at 52.88, with 34 centuries and 48 half-centuries. His highest score of 400* is still a record in test cricket.

7. Kumar Sangakkara (SL) – 12400 runs

Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara was one of the most graceful left-handers who played this game. He retired with the second-most runs in international cricket. In ODIs, he is the second-highest run-scorer. In test cricket, he scored 12400 runs in 134 tests at a brilliant average of 57.40. Sangakkara also scored 38 centuries and 52 half-centuries.

6. Alastair Cook (ENG) – 12472 runs

England have a rich batting history in test cricket with Alastair Cook as one of the greatest-ever batters. The southpaw had a terrific career during which, he played 161 tests between 2006 and 2018.

Cook scored 12472 runs at an average of 45.35, with 33 centuries and 57 half-centuries. Cook holds the record for most consecutive test matches for a team (159).

5. Joe Root (ENG) – 12578* runs

Former English captain Joe Root is a modern-day legend and his stature in test cricket has increased in recent years. He is climbing up the ladder rapidly year by year.

Root made his test debut in 2012 and has been consistent throughout his test career. He has so far scored 12578* runs in 147 tests at an average of 51.33. Root has scored 35 centuries and 64 half-centuries. He is England’s leading run-scorer and leading century-maker in the longest format.

He has a few more years of cricket left in him and he could end up with the most runs in test cricket

4. Rahul Dravid (IND) – 13288 runs

Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid, famously known as “The Wall,” was one of the finest batters. Known for his solidity, he is also one of the few players to score more than 10,000 runs in both ODIs and tests. Dravid played 164 tests between 1996 and 2012 and scored 13288 runs at an average of 52.31. Dravid raised 36 centuries and 63 half-centuries.

3. Jacques Kallis (SA) – 13289 runs

Jacques Kallis is arguably the greatest all-rounder to have taken the field. More than 25000 international runs and 550 international wickets is simply incredible for any cricketer. The South African legend played 166 tests between 1995 and 2014 and scored 13289 runs at an average of 55.37, including 45 centuries (second-most) and 58 half-centuries.

2. Ricky Ponting (AUS) – 13378 runs

The impact of Ricky Ponting on Australian and world cricket was immense and he retired as one of the greatest batters of all time. He is the only captain to lead a country to four men’s ICC titles. As a batter, he has the third-most international runs and the third-most international centuries. Ponting played 168 tests and scored 13378 runs, the second most runs in test cricket, at an average of 51.85, with 41 centuries.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 15921 runs

There is hardly any batting record where you won’t find Sachin Tendulkar. He holds the record for most runs in test cricket. Tendulkar played 200 tests in his 24-year-long career between 1989 and 2013. He scored 15921 runs at an average of 53.78, with 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries.

(All stats and numbers updated till 9th October 2024)

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