Top 10 Players with Most Runs as Captain In Test Cricket

Updated on: July 4, 2025

“A Captain is only as good as his team,” they say. But sometimes, a captain is the team’s best batter too. In Test Cricket, leadership isn’t just about field placements and bowling changes. It’s about setting the tone. Facing the new ball, standing strong when the team is down, and most importantly, scoring big when it matters. Some captains transform under pressure, turning into run-making machines when their team needs them most. They don’t just direct the team, they become the lead.

Today, we will talk about the captains who led from the front, scored big, stayed longer at the crease, and shouldered the responsibility with both bat and ball. Let’s discover the list of top 10 players with the most runs as captain in test cricket all time.

List of top10 players with most runs as captain in test cricket

Rank	Player	Country	Career	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	100s	50s	Avg
1	G C Smith	South Africa	2002–2014	109	193	12	8659	277	25	36	47.84
2	A R Border	Australia	1978–1994	93	154	24	6623	205	15	36	50.95
3	R T Ponting	Australia	1995–2012	77	140	13	6542	209	19	35	51.51
4	V Kohli*	India	2011–2025	68	113	6	5864	254*	20	18	54.80
5	J E Root*	England	2012–	64	118	4	5295	228	14	26	46.45
6	C H Lloyd	West Indies	1966–1984	74	111	9	5233	242*	14	27	51.30
7	S P Fleming	New Zealand	1994–2008	80	135	8	5156	274*	8	31	40.60
8	A N Cook	England	2006–2018	59	111	7	4844	263	12	24	46.58
9	B C Lara	West Indies	1990–2006	47	85	4	4685	400*	14	19	57.84
10	Misbah-ul-Haq	Pakistan	2001–2017	56	99	17	4214	135	8	35	51.39

1. Grame Smith (South Africa)

Runs as a captain: 8659

Matches as Captain: 109

Captaincy Years: 2003-2014

South Africa’s Smith holds the crown for the most runs as a Test Captain. He captained in a record 109 Tests and scored a ton of runs. He was a strong and steady leader and became the captain of the African team at just 22 years and then stayed in the role for more than 10 years. Smith was a strong opening batter and scored big runs.

Read Also:- Most Catches for India in Tests

2. Allan Border (Australia)

Runs as a captain: 6,623

Matches as Captain: 93

Captaincy Years: 1984-1994

Border took charge of the team in the most difficult phase of Australian Cricket. The team was losing often, and morale was low. He scored 6,623 runs while leading Australia. He captained in 93 matches and batted in 154 innings, staying not out 24 times. His highest score as a captain was 205, and he scored 15 centuries along with 36 fifties. He scored regularly and stayed consistent with a batting average of above 50.

3. Ricky Ponting (Australia)

Runs as a captain: 6.542

Matches as Captain: 77

Captaincy Years: 2004-2010

Ricky Ponting was one of Australia’s best batters. He led the team in many ways and was aggressive in his style. He made 6542 runs as a captain in Test matches. He played 77 games as Skipper and batted in 140 innings, remaining not out 13 times. His top score was 209, and along with this, he has scored 19 centuries and 35 fifties with an average of 51.51. Being confident, he scored tons of runs and played well in different countries.

4. Virat Kohli (India)

Runs as a captain: 5,864

Matches as Captain: 68

Captaincy Years: 2014-2022

Kohli brought a lot of energy to the Indian team. He liked to play aggressive cricket and wanted his team to be fit and strong. While leading India in Tests, he captained in 68 matches and batted in 113 innings, staying unbeaten 6 times. His highest score was an unbeaten 254. During his long career, he made 20 centuries and 18 fifties, and his batting average as a captain was 54.80, one of the best on the list.

See Also:- Highest Run chase in ODI History

5. Joe Root (England)

Runs as a captain: 5,295

Matches as Captain: 64

Captaincy Years: 2017-Present

Joe Root scored 5,295 runs as England’s Test Captain. He led the team in 64 matches and batted in 118 innings, remaining not out 4 times. His highest score as captain was 228 and was England’s main batter when he was Captain. Even when the team struggled, he kept scoring runs. He played many important innings and helped his team fight in tough matches. With an avaerage of 46.45 Root scored 14 centuries and 26 fifties throughout his Test Career as Captain.