Top 5 players with most runs in Test cricket history

Test cricket is a format that is considered the most challenging one for any batsman. That is the reason why the skills of a youngster are most tested in this particular format. There have been many greats who have had a magnificent career in Test cricket history. These legends have brought glory to their country many times. In this article, we will be listing out five players who have scored the most runs in Test format. All these five players retired in the last decade.

5. Joe Root – 12664 runs

England’s most experienced batter, Joe Root, etched his name in history in Multan by leapfrogging Sir Alastair Cook (12,472 Test runs) to become the leading run-getter for the nation. During his marathon knock, Root scored 260 runs off 375 balls with the help of 17 fours. Notably, he reached the landmark on pacer Aamer Jamal’s delivery to help England inch closer to the 500-run mark. Eventually, the Root-Brook duo put up a record 454-run partnership for the fourth wicket to cross the 700-run mammoth score. All rounder Agha Salman finally put an end to Root’s brisk scoring by trapping in front of the wickets. With this, the Yorkshire-born now has 12,664 runs to his name in Tests, to become the fifth batter with the most Test career runs.

4. Rahul Dravid – 13288 runs

Former Indian batsman Rahul Dravid stands at the fourth spot in the list of leading run-scorers in Test cricket. He has accumulated 13288 runs in 286 innings at an average of 52.31. Dravid slammed 36 centuries and 63 fifties in his Test career with a high score of 270. He holds the record for facing most balls in the longest form of the game.

3. Jacques Kallis – 13289 runs

South African cricketer Jacques Kallis scored just one more run than Rahul Dravid in his Test career. He gathered 13289 runs at an average of 55.37 in 280 innings. He has second-most centuries (45) in the five-day format, and also smashed 58 fifties during the phase.

2. Ricky Ponting – 13378 runs

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting sits at the second position in the record tally of highest run-scorers in Test cricket. He aggregated 13378 runs in 287 innings at an average of 51.85 including 41 centuries and 62 half-centuries. He slammed his highest score of 257 in Test cricket against India in 2003.

1. Sachin Tendulkar – 15921 runs

Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar is the leading run-scorer in the history of Test cricket. He is the only player to be part of 200 Test matches in which he scored 15921 runs at an average of 53.78. Sachin is also the only cricketer to score more than fifty tons in the longest format. Apart from scoring 51 Test tons, the little-master also smashed 68 fifties in his career.

Most Test runs list