Most Runs In Test Cricket

Cricket is one of the oldest sports in the world. It started back in the 1800s, and Test cricket was the first ever format to be played. It has a rich history of over 150+ years, and many big superstars came and played this format over the decades.

But only 14 batters have had a career where they scored 10,000 or more runs in Tests. It took years of consistency to cross the milestone, which is why there are only a few players who reached this mark. As a result, we will talk about the top ten players with the most runs in Test cricket. 

List of Top 10 Players with Highest Runs in Test Cricket

Player	Span	Mat	Inns	Runs	HS	Avg	100s	50s
Sachin Tendulkar (IND)	1989-2013	200	329	15921	248*	53.78	51	68
Ricky Ponting (AUS)	1995-2012	168	287	13378	257	51.85	41	62
Jacques Kallis (SA)	1995-2013	166	280	13289	224	55.37	45	58
Rahuk Dravid (IND)	1996-2012	164	286	13288	270	52.31	36	63
Alastair Cook (ENG)	2006-2018	161	291	12472	294	45.35	33	57
Kumar Sangakkara (SL)	2000-2015	134	233	12400	319	57.40	38	52
Joe Root (ENG)	2012-2024	145	265	12377	254	50.93	34	64
Brain Lara (WI)	1990-2006	131	232	11953	400*	52.88	34	48
Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI)	1994-2015	164	280	11867	203*	51.37	30	66
Mahela Jayawardene (SL)	1997-2014	149	252	11814	374	49.84	34	50

10. Mahela Jayawardene (SL) – 11814 Runs

Former captain and Sri Lanka legend Mahela Jayawardene was regarded as one of the best to play Test cricket. He had a long and superb career. Jayawardene’s best Test score of 374 is one of the highest individual scores in history. He played a total of 149 Tests (most for Sri Lanka) and scored 11814 runs, including 50 half-centuries and 34 centuries.

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9. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI) – 11867 Runs

The former West Indian star Shivnarine Chanderpaul was one of the best of his generation, but he played under the shadow of Brain Lara. However, Chanderpaul was a legend in his own right. He went on to play 164 Tests and scored a total of 11867 runs at 51.37 and scored 30 centuries and 66 half-centuries with a best of 203*.

8. Brain Lara (WI) – 11953 Runs

Whenever someone talks about Test cricket, Brain Lara will also be remembered for some exceptional milestone. The legendary batter is the only batter to have scored 375 or more twice. Lara featured in 131 Tests and scored 11953 runs at 52.88 and scored 34 centuries and 48 half-centuries with his best score of 400 not out.

7. Joe Root (ENG) – 12020 Runs

Joe Root is a modern-day Test legend and has been a run machine for the last decade. He has broken many Test records among the modern-day cricket and is taking giant steps in Tests. Root has scored 12377 runs in 145 Tests so far with 34 centuries and 64 half-centuries. He still has a few more years to play, and certainly he will be up among the legends when he retires.

6. Kumar Sangakkara (SL) – 12400

Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara has scored the second-highest runs in the history of the game. He has 11 double centuries in Tests, which is the second-most in history. Sangakkara retired with 12400 runs in 134 Tests at an average of 57.40, with 38 centuries and 52 half-centuries in his career.

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5. Alastair Cook (ENG) – 12472 Runs

Alastair Cook holds the record for the most runs in Test cricket for England. He was a consistent batter at the top irrespective of location; Cook scored runs in all conditions. He made his debut in 2006 and retired in 2018. Cook played 161 Tests and scored a total of 12472 runs at 45.35, with 33 hundreds and 57 fifties.

4. Rahul Dravid (IND) – 13288 Runs

Former captain Rahul Dravid, who was also known as “Mr. Wall,” was considered one of the best Test batters of all time. But he has scored second-most runs in Test cricket for India. Dravid played 164 Tests in his career and scored 13288 runs at 52.31, with 36 hundreds and 63 fifties.

3. Jacques Kallis (SA) – 13289

You will never see a cricket like Jacques Kallis again. The South African all-rounder had an incredible career. He scored more runs than some of the greatest batters and wickets, then the greatest bowlers. Kallis featured in 166 Tests between 1995 and 2014 and scored 13289 runs at 55.37. He also scored 45 Test hundreds (second-most in Tests). Kallis also took 292 wickets in the red-ball cricket.

Read Also:- Top 10 Most Dangerous Batsmen in Cricket History

2. Ricky Ponting (AUS) – 13378 Runs

Ricky Ponting is probably the best captain in the game. He led Australia to four ICC titles, which is the most for any captain in history. And as a batter, he was a fierce competitor. Ponting played 168 Tests during his Test career between 1995 and 2012 and retired with second-most runs in Test cricket. He scored 13378 runs at 51.85 and 41 hundreds.

1. Sachin Tendulkar (IND) – 15921 Runs

Famously known as “God of Cricket,” Sachin Tendulkar registered some of the exceptional batting records, and the record of most runs in Test cricket is one of them. Sachin played for 24 years (1989-2013) and featured in most Tests (200). He scored a total of 15921 runs at 53.78, with most Test centuries (51) and most Test half-centuries (68).