Sachin Tendulkar is the leading run scorer of all time in test cricket matches. He is called the God of cricket and ‘The Master Blaster’ by his fans and the cricket fraternity. He is the only cricketer to have played the most number of test matches, i.e., 200 in cricket history.

Sachin Tendulkar has set the benchmark for the highest runs in Test Matches. He scored 15921 runs in 200 matches. Right after Sachin, Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis are next on the list for the highest score in Tests, with 13378 and 13289 runs, respectively. 

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Highest Runs in Test Cricket: Top 10 Players List

The highest test score by a batsman is none other than Brian Lara. He made 400* not out against England in 2004. Below is the list of the top 10 cricketers who are the highest run scorers in the history of test matches cricket.

Most Test Runs in International Cricket

Sachin Tendulkar | 15,921 runs in Test Cricket

You will see Sachin Tendulkar's name on top in almost every batting record set in cricket. That is why he is called the God of cricket. The Little Master has played 200 test matches and has scored 15921 runs. He is the holder of the most centuries in Test matches, i.e., 51 test centuries, and is the only cricketer with 100 international hundreds.

Ricky Ponting | 13,378 runs in Test Cricket

The second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history is former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. He is known for his power to tackle pressure situations and his hunger to win matches. Before retiring in 2012, Ricky Ponting played 168 Test matches and has 13378 runs, with 257 being his highest score in Test Cricket.

Jacques Kallis | 13,289 runs in Test Cricket

Next name on the list of most runs in test cricket is South Africa's Jacques Kallis. Kallis is the only cricketer to have scored more than 10000 runs in both Test and ODI cricket. Moreover, he has taken 577 international wickets in Test, ODI and T20I combined. He was an irreplaceable asset throughout his career.

Also read : Most Centuries in Cricket

Rahul Dravid | 13,288 runs in Test Cricket

Rahul Dravid ranks fourth in terms of runs scored in Test Cricket. Dravid, also nicknamed "The Wall," has been one of India's best batsman in Test cricket and is now coach of the Indian Cricket team. He has played 164 Test matches and has amassed 13288 runs, with 270 being his highest score in Test. 

Joe Root | 12,716 runs in Test Cricket

England's run machine Joe Root has became England's highest run-getter in Test cricket. In a 12-year career from 2012 to 2024, Root has played 148 Tests and has scored 12716 runs at an average of 51.27. He has scored 35 centuries and 64 half-centuries in his career so far. Root made centuries in both innings (against Sri Lanka at Lord's, 2024) for the first time in his career. 

Alastair Cook | 12,472 runs in Test Cricket

Former England Test skipper Alastair Cook has represented the country in all international formats from 2006-2018. He is one of the youngest players from England to have scored the most runs in test cricket i.e more than 12000 runs. He has played more than 160 test matches, with 294 being his highest.

Kumar Sangakkara | 12,400 runs in Test Cricket

Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, also an exceptional wicketkeeper, truly has a special place in the heart of his fans. Sangakkara has played 134 test matches and has made 12400 runs, with the highest score of 319. He is the fastest cricketer to have made 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, and 12,000 runs in Test cricket.

Also read: Best Wicket Keepers in the Cricket World

Brian Lara | 11,953 runs in Test Cricket

Brian Lara, the former West Indies legend, is the only cricketer to have scored an unbelievable 400 against England in a Test match that remains, to date, the highest test score ever made. From debuting in 1990 till retiring in 2006, he has played over 131 Test matches and has 11953 runs under his name.

FAQs:

Which team has the most runs in Test in one Day?

On 1st December 2022, England team scored 506 runs, most runs in day one of a Test match, during the 1st Test between England and Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan. The previous highest was Australia's 494 against South Africa in Sydney, 1910.

Which country has the highest team score in Test?

Sri Lanka scored 952 runs, making it the highest team score in Test cricket. Sri Lanka achieved this landmark against India in Colombo, 1997.

Who has the highest score in test cricket?

Brian Lara, a West Indies cricket player, has the highest score in Test cricket history. He scored 400 not out against England in Antigua 2004.

Who has scored 300 runs in Test?

Don Bradman, Virender Sehwag, Chris Gayle, and Brain Lara scored two triple hundreds (the highest) in Test cricket.

Who has scored 200 runs most times in Test cricket?

Don Bradman has scored an unbelievable 12 double hundreds (the highest) in Test cricket. Kumar Sangakkara is the next best with 11 double centuries in Test match history.