Test cricket has witnessed countless iconic performances, with batsmen setting records and amassing huge run totals over the years. Here’s a look at the Top 10 Batsmen with Most Test Runs, each of whom has left a lasting legacy in the game’s history through their remarkable achievements with the bat. List of the Batsmen with Most Test Runs
10. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)

Mahela Jayawardene rounds off the list of the Top 10 Batsmen with Most Test Runs, having scored 11,814 runs in 149 Test matches. With 34 centuries and 50 half-centuries to his name, he maintained an impressive batting average of 49.84, firmly establishing himself among the highest run-scorers in Test cricket history.
Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M Jayawardene | 149 | 252 | 11,814 | 374* | 34 | 50 | 49.84 |
9. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies)

Shivnarine Chanderpaul amassed 11,867 runs across 164 Test matches, including 30 centuries and 66 fifties. Boasting an impressive batting average of 51.37, he stands tall among the Top 10 Batsmen with Most Test Runs. His remarkable consistency and invaluable contributions have made him a true legend of West Indies cricket.
Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S Chanderpaul | 164 | 280 | 11,867 | 203* | 30 | 66 | 51.37 |
8. Brian Lara (West Indies)
Brian Lara, famed for holding the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket, accumulated 11,953 runs in 131 Test matches. With 34 centuries and 48 half-centuries, and a superb batting average of 52.88, he remains one of the most dominant and stylish players in the game’s history. His incredible achievements place him firmly among the Top 10 Batsmen with Most Test Runs.
Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
B Lara | 131 | 232 | 11,953 | 400* | 34 | 48 | 52.88 |
7. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Kumar Sangakkara, renowned for his graceful stroke play, stands as one of Test cricket’s most refined batsmen. He accumulated 12,400 runs in 134 matches, including 38 centuries and 52 half-centuries. With an outstanding batting average of 57.40, Sangakkara firmly secures his place among the Top 10 Batsmen with Most Test Runs and is widely regarded as one of the all-time greats.
Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
K Sangakkara | 134 | 233 | 12,400 | 319* | 38 | 52 | 57.40 |
6. Alastair Cook (England)
Alastair Cook, widely regarded as one of England’s finest batsmen, amassed 12,472 runs in 161 Test matches. With 33 centuries and 57 half-centuries, he maintained a solid batting average of 45.35. Known for his remarkable consistency and longevity at the top level, Cook firmly holds his place among the Top 10 Batsmen with Most Test Runs in cricket history.
Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A Cook | 161 | 291 | 12,472 | 294* | 33 | 57 | 45.35 |
5. Joe Root (England)

Joe Root has piled up an impressive 12,972 runs in 152 Test matches, featuring 36 centuries and 65 fifties. With a top score of 262 and a strong batting average of 50.87, he remains a key figure in modern Test cricket. As he continues to build on his run tally, Root strengthens his position among the Top 10 Batsmen with Most Test Runs.
Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J Root | 152 | 278 | 12,972 | 262* | 36 | 65 | 50.87 |
4. Rahul Dravid (India)
Rahul Dravid, famously nicknamed the “Wall” of Indian cricket, amassed 13,288 runs in 164 Test matches. With a highest score of 270, he recorded 36 centuries and 50 half-centuries, maintaining a commendable average of 52.31. Renowned for his rock-solid technique and dependability, Dravid’s outstanding contributions cement his legacy among the Top 10 Batsmen with Most Test Runs in the history of the game.
Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R Dravid | 164 | 286 | 13,288 | 270* | 36 | 50 | 52.31 |
3. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

Jacques Kallis, regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, holds the third spot with 13,289 runs in 166 Test matches. Featuring a highest score of 224, he notched up 45 centuries and 58 half-centuries, finishing with an impressive batting average of 55.37. His exceptional run-scoring ability places him firmly among the Top 10 Batsmen with Most Test Runs.
Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J Kallis | 166 | 280 | 13,289 | 224* | 45 | 58 | 55.37 |
2. Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Ricky Ponting stands second on the list of the Top 10 Batsmen with Most Test Runs, having scored 13,378 runs in 168 Test matches. With a highest score of 257, he registered 41 centuries and 62 fifties. Boasting a superb average of 51.85, Ponting’s consistency and command over the longest format of the game underline his status as one of Test cricket’s all-time greats.
Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R Ponting | 168 | 287 | 13,378 | 257* | 41 | 62 | 51.85 |
1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)

Sachin Tendulkar holds the unparalleled record for the Top 10 Batsmen with Most Test Runs, having accumulated an extraordinary 15,921 runs in 200 Test matches. His highest score is 248*, with a remarkable 51 centuries and 68 fifties to his name, maintaining an average of 53.78. Spanning over two decades, Tendulkar’s legendary career firmly establishes him as the undisputed leader in Test run-scoring.
Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Average |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S Tendulkar | 200 | 329 | 15,921 | 248* | 51 | 68 | 53.78 |
Conclusion
The Top 10 Batsmen with Most Test Runs represent the pinnacle of endurance, skill, and consistency in cricket. Each of these players has left an indelible mark on the game, showcasing their mastery across numerous matches and years. From the elegant strokes of Kumar Sangakkara to the legendary feats of Sachin Tendulkar, these batsmen have not only accumulated massive totals but have also set the standard for future generations. Their contributions have helped shape Test cricket’s rich history, and their records will continue to inspire players around the world for years to come.
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FAQ`s
Q1: Who holds the record for the most Test runs in history?
A: Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most Test runs, with an astonishing 15,921 runs in 200 Test matches.
Q2: How many runs did Ricky Ponting score in Test cricket?
A: Ricky Ponting scored 13,378 runs in 168 Test matches, ranking second among the top Test run-scorers.
Q3: Which player has the highest Test batting average among the top 10?
A: Kumar Sangakkara has the highest batting average among the top 10, with an impressive 57.40.
Q4: What is the highest score achieved by any of the top 10 batsmen in Test cricket?
A: Brian Lara holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket with 400*, the highest by any batsman in a single innings.