Most runs in test cricket as of 2024

1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)

Sachin Tendulkar, often referred to as the “God of Cricket,” is the highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket. Below are the key details of his record-breaking Test career:

Sachin Tendulkar’s Test Cricket Records:

Total Matches: 200
Innings Batted: 329
Not Outs: 33
Total Runs Scored: 15,921
Batting Average: 53.78
Centuries: 51 (Most by any player in Test cricket)
Half-Centuries: 68
Highest Score: 248* (not out) against Bangladesh in Dhaka (2004)
Career Span: November 15, 1989 – November 16, 2013 (24 years)
Fours Hit: Over 2,000 (approximate)
Sixes Hit: 69

Milestone Tests:

Debut: Against Pakistan on November 15, 1989, in Karachi.
100th Test Century: Achieved against South Africa in March 2012 in ODIs but his consistency across all formats reflects in Tests too.
200th Test: His final Test match was against the West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, November 2013.

Notable Achievements:

First cricketer to score 50 Test centuries.
Holds the record for the most Test matches played (200).
Only player to have aggregated over 15,000 runs in Test cricket.

2. Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Ricky Ponting, one of Australia’s greatest cricketers and captains, is the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history. Below are the key details of his remarkable Test career:

Ricky Ponting’s Test Cricket Records:

Total Matches: 168
Innings Batted: 287
Not Outs: 29
Total Runs Scored: 13,378
Batting Average: 51.85
Centuries: 41 (Third-most in Test cricket history)
Half-Centuries: 62
Highest Score: 257 against India in Melbourne (2003)
Career Span: December 8, 1995 – December 3, 2012 (17 years)

Milestone Tests:

Debut: Against Sri Lanka on December 8, 1995, in Perth.
100th Test: Against South Africa in Sydney, January 2006, where he scored centuries in both innings.
Final Test: Against South Africa in Perth, December 2012.

Notable Achievements:

Ponting is one of only three players to score over 13,000 Test runs.
He captained Australia in 77 Test matches, winning 48, the most by any captain in Test history.
He scored centuries in both innings of a Test match on three occasions.
Instrumental in Australia’s dominance during the 2000s, leading the team to multiple series victories.

3. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)

Jacques Kallis, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, is the third-highest run-scorer in Test cricket. His ability to excel with both bat and ball sets him apart. Below are the key details of his Test batting record:

Jacques Kallis’s Test Cricket Records:

Total Matches: 166
Innings Batted: 280
Not Outs: 40
Total Runs Scored: 13,289
Batting Average: 55.37 (One of the highest among top Test run-scorers)
Centuries: 45 (Second-most in Test cricket history)
Half-Centuries: 58
Highest Score: 224 against Sri Lanka in Cape Town (2012)
Career Span: December 14, 1995 – December 30, 2013 (18 years)

Milestone Tests:

Debut: Against England on December 14, 1995, in Durban.
100th Test: Against Australia in Melbourne, December 2008.
Final Test: Against India in Durban, December 2013.

Notable Achievements:

Kallis is the only player in history with over 10,000 runs and 200 wickets in both Tests and ODIs.
He holds the record for most Test runs by a South African.
His batting average of 55.37 is the highest among players with over 10,000 Test runs.
Scored centuries in both innings of a Test match on five occasions.
Played a pivotal role in South Africa’s rise to dominance in world cricket during the 2000s.

4. Rahul Dravid (India)

Rahul Dravid, known as “The Wall” of Indian cricket, is one of the most technically sound and dependable batsmen in the history of the game. Below are the key details of his remarkable Test career:

Rahul Dravid’s Test Cricket Records:

Total Matches: 164
Innings Batted: 286
Not Outs: 32
Total Runs Scored: 13,288
Batting Average: 52.31
Centuries: 36
Half-Centuries: 63
Highest Score: 270 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi (2004)
Career Span: June 20, 1996 – January 24, 2012 (16 years)

Milestone Tests:

Debut: Against England on June 20, 1996, at Lord’s, where he scored a classy 95.
100th Test: Against South Africa in Centurion, December 2010.
Final Test: Against Australia in Adelaide, January 2012.

Notable Achievements:

Fourth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket history.
Holds the record for the most deliveries faced (31,258) and the most minutes spent at the crease in Test history, showcasing his endurance and concentration.
Known for being one of the greatest slip fielders, with 210 catches, the most by any player in Test cricket.
Played crucial innings in some of India’s greatest overseas victories, including his 233 in Adelaide (2003) and 270 in Rawalpindi (2004).
Key member of India’s legendary batting lineup during the 2000s, alongside Tendulkar, Ganguly, and Laxman.

5. Joe Root (England)

Joe Root, a cornerstone of England’s batting lineup, has etched his name in cricket history with remarkable achievements in Test cricket. Below are the key details of his Test career as of December 31, 2024:

Joe Root’s Test Cricket Records:

Total Matches: 152
Innings Batted: 156
Total Runs Scored: 12,578
Batting Average: 50.91
Centuries: 36 (Most by an England player)
Half-Centuries: 58
Highest Score: 262 against Pakistan in Multan (October 2024)
Career Span: December 13, 2012 – Present

Milestone Tests:

Debut: Against India on December 13, 2012, in Nagpur.
100th Test: Against India in Chennai, February 2021, where he scored a double century.
Record-Breaking Test: Surpassed Sir Alastair Cook’s record to become England’s leading Test run-scorer during the first Test against Pakistan in Multan, October 2024.

Notable Achievements:

England’s Leading Run-Scorer: Surpassed Sir Alastair Cook’s tally of 12,472 runs, setting a new benchmark for England in Test cricket.
Highest Partnership: Alongside Harry Brook, set England’s highest-ever Test partnership of 454 runs against Pakistan in Multan, October 2024.
Consistency: Maintained a batting average above 50, reflecting his reliability and skill at the crease.
Centuries: Holds the record for the most Test centuries by an England player, with 36 to his name.

Root’s dedication and performance have been instrumental in England’s successes over the past decade. His ability to anchor the innings and play match-defining knocks underscores his status as one of the modern greats of the game.