Today, we will look at the cricketers who have scored the most Test runs. Can you guess how many cricketers have made over 10000 Test runs?

With a combination of skill and determination, players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting and Brian Lara have rewritten the record books with their extraordinary batting feats. Read on to find out more about these legendary batters and their remarkable run hauls in Test cricket!

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Key Takeaways – Most Test Runs

• Sachin Tendulkar (15921), Ricky Ponting (13378), Jacques Kallis (13289), Rahul Dravid (13288), and Alastair Cook (12472) are the top 5 runs scorers in cricket history.
• Among the Fab 4 and active cricketers, Joe Root has scored the most Test runs (11178). Steve Smith (9085), Virat Kohli (8479), David Warner (8247), and Kane Williamson (8124) follow Root.
• Australia has produced 3 players with 10000+ scores (8 total with 8000+ scores) as well as India – 3 players with 10000+ scores (6 total with 8000+ runs). Next, we have England – 2 (7 total), West Indies – 2 (4 total) Sri Lanka – 2 (2 total), South Africa – 1 (4 total), Pakistan – 1 (3 total). New Zealand has produced just one player with 8000+ Test runs.
• 35 cricketers have scored 8000+ Test runs, 16 cricketers have scored 9000+ Test runs. Among the 16, only 14 cricketers have scored 10000+ Test runs, 11 have scored 11000+, six have scored 12000+, four have 13000+, and only Sachin Tendulkar has 15000 runs.
• Among 10000 run scorers in Test cricket, Kumar Sangakkara has the highest average at 57.40, while Alastair Cook has the lowest average at 45.35. Among the top 35 run scorers, Steve Smith currently has the highest Test average at 59.39 and Alec Stewart had the lowest average at 39.54.

Most Test Runs: 10000+ Runs Scorer in Test Cricket

1. Sachin Tendulkar (15921 Runs), India

• Years Played: 1989-2013
• Tests/Innings: 200/329
• Average: 53.78

Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, holds the record for the most runs in Test cricket with a staggering 15,921 runs.

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2. Ricky Ponting (13378 Runs), Australia

• Years Played: 1995-2012
• Tests/Innings: 168/287
• Average: 51.85

Ricky Ponting holds the record for the second highest run scorer in Test cricket with 13378 runs. His strong batting technique and his excellent captaincy made him one of the most successful captains in the history of cricket. He was known for playing attacking strokes and leading from the front.

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3. Jacques Kallis (13289 Runs), South Africa

• Years Played: 1995-2013
• Tests/Innings: 166/280
• Average: 55.37

Jacques Kallis comes in next as the third-highest run scorer in Test cricket with 13289 runs. His is regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders and versatile players of all time. He had a great eye for picking gaps and was able to score big runs quickly.

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4. Rahul Dravid (13288 Runs), India

• Years Played: 1996-2012
• Tests/Innings: 164/286
• Average: 52.31

Rahul Dravid, often referred to as ‘The Wall’, is at fourth place with 13288 runs in Test cricket. His ability to grind out long innings and score big runs made him one of the most dependable batsmen for India over a period of time.

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5. Alastair Cook (12472 Runs), England

• Years Played: 1996-2012
• Tests/Innings: 166/280
• Average: 45.35

Alastair Cook is the fifth-highest run scorer in Test cricket with 12472 runs. His ability to bat for long periods of time and put a price on his wicket made him one of the most reliable batsmen for England. He was also known for his excellent technique and strong defense against spin bowling.

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6. Kumar Sangakkara (12400 Runs), Sri Lanka

• Years Played: 2000-2015
• Tests/Innings: 134/233
• Average: 57.40

Kumar Sangakkara is the sixth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket with 12400 runs. His unmatched batting technique, quick footwork, and ability to score big runs quickly made him one of the most feared batsmen in world cricket. He was known for his calmness under pressure and his ability to play match-winning knocks.

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7. Brian Lara (11953 Runs), West Indies

• Years Played: 1990-2006
• Matches: 131/232
• Average: 52.88

Brian Lara is the seventh-highest run scorer in Test cricket with 11953 runs. His attacking strokeplay, elegant batting style, and penchant for scoring big centuries made him one of the most entertaining batsmen to watch. He was known for his ability to change the course of a game with crucial knocks under pressure.

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8. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (11867 Runs), West Indies

• Years Played: 1994-2015
• Tests/Innings: 164/280
• Average: 51.37

Shivnarine Chanderpaul is the eighth-highest run scorer in Test cricket with 11867 runs. His ability to bat for long periods of time, his unconventional batting style and technique, and his patience made him one of the most dependable batsmen for West Indies. He was known for his defensive game and his ability to bat out tough periods.

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9. Mahela Jayawardene (11814 Runs), Sri Lanka

• Years Played: 1997-2014
• Tests/Innings: 149/252
• Average: 49.84

Mahela Jayawardene is the ninth-highest run scorer in Test cricket with 11814 runs. His elegant batting style, strong footwork, and ability to score big runs quickly made him one of the most dangerous batsmen in world cricket. He was known for his ability to take control of a game with his match-winning knocks.

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11. Joe Root (11178 Runs), England

• Years Played: 2012-present
• Matches: 132/241
• Average: 50.57

Joe Root is currently eleventh-highest run scorer in Test cricket with 11168 runs. His strong batting technique, attacking strokes, and ability to score big runs has made him one of the most dangerous batsmen in world cricket in the modern era.

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10. Allan Border (11174 Runs), Australia

• Years Played: 1978-1994
• Tests/Innings: 156/265
• Average: 50.56

Allan Border is the tenth-highest run scorer in Test cricket with 11174 runs. He was known for his ability to bat for long periods of time, his strong defensive technique, and his aggressive stroke play. He was the cornerstone of the Australian team during their successful period in world cricket.

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12. Steve Waugh (10927 Runs), Australia

• Years Played: 1985-2004
• Tests/Innings: 168/260
• Average: 51.06

Steve Waugh is the twelfth-highest run scorer in Test cricket with 10927 runs. He was known for his ability to bat for long periods of time, his strong defensive technique, and his aggressive style. He captained Australia during their golden period of world cricket and had a knack for playing match-winning knocks.

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13. Sunil Gavaskar (10122 Runs), India

• Years Played: 1971-1987
• Tests/Innings: 125/514
• Average: 51.12

Sunil Gavaskar is the thirteenth-highest run scorer in Test cricket with 10122 runs. The original ‘Little Master,’ he was known for his defensive technique, strong footwork, and ability to grind out long innings. His ability to score big centuries under pressure made him one of the most reliable batsmen for India over a period of time.

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14. Younis Khan (10099 Runs), Pakistan

• Years Played: 2000-2017
• Tests/Innings: 118/213
• Average: 52.05

Younis Khan is the fourteenth-highest run scorer in Test cricket with 10099 runs. His match-winning knocks under pressure made him one of the most dependable batsmen for Pakistan over a period of time.

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List of the Top 35 Highest Runs Scorer in Test Cricket: From Sachin Tendulkar to Mark Waugh

Here are the cricketers with 8000 or more runs in Test cricket. 35 cricketers have broken the 8000-run mark.

Player	National Team	Runs	Matches/ Innings	Average	Years Played
1. Sachin Tendulkar	India	15921	200/329	53.78	1989-2013
2. Ricky Ponting	Australia	13378	168/287	51.85	1995-2012
3. Jacques Kallis	South Africa	13289	166/280	55.37	1995-2013
4. Rahul Dravid	India	13288	164/286	52.31	1996-2012
5. Alastair Cook	England	12472	161/291	45.35	2006-2018
6. Kumar Sangakkara	Sri Lanka	12400	134/233	57.40	2000-2015
7. Brian Lara	West Indies	11953	131/232	52.88	1990-2006
8. Shivnarine Chanderpaul	West Indies	11867	164/280	51.37	1994-2015
9. Mahela Jayawardene	Sri Lanka	11814	149/252	49.84	1997-2014
10. Allan Border	Australia	11174	156/265	50.56	1978-1994
11. Joe Root*	England	11168	131/240	50.76	2012-
12. Steve Waugh	Australia	10927	168/260	51.06	1985-2004
13. Sunil Gavaskar	India	10122	125/214	51.12	1971-1987
14. Younis Khan	Pakistan	10099	118/213	52.05	2000-2017
15. Hashim Amla	South Africa	9282	124/215	46.64	2004-2019
16. Graeme Smith	South Africa	9265	117/205	48.25	2002-2014
17. Steve Smith*	Australia	9085	99/175	59.76	2010-
18. Graham Gooch	England	8900	118/215	42.58	1975-1995
19. Javed Miandad	Pakistan	8832	124/189	52.57	1976-1993
20. Inzamam-ul-Haq	Pakistan	8830	120/200	49.60	1992-2007
21. VVS Laxman	India	8781	134/225	45.97	1996-2012
22. AB De Villiers	South Africa	8765	114/191	50.66	2004-2018
23. Michael Clarke	Australia	8643	115/198	49.10	2004-2015
24. Matthew Hayden	Australia	8625	103/184	50.73	1994-2009
25. Virender Sehwag	India	8586	104/180	49.34	2001-2013
26. Vivian Richards	West Indies	8540	121/182	50.23	1974-1991
27. Virat Kohli*	India	8479	109/185	48.72	2011-
28. Alec Stewart	England	8463	133/235	39.54	1990-2003
29. David Warner*	Australia	8247	105/191	45.06	2011-
30. David Gower	England	8231	117/204	44.25	1978-1992
31. Kevin Pietersen	England	8181	104/181	47.28	2005-2014
32. Kane Williamson*	New Zealand	8124	94/164	54.89	2010-
33. Geoffrey Boycott	England	8114	108/193	47.82	1964-1982
34. Garfield Sobers	West Indies	8032	93/160	57.78	1854-1974
35. Mark Waugh	Australia	8029	128/209	41.81	1991-2002

Final Thoughts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Most Test Runs

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