Top 10 Batsmen with Most Runs in Test Cricket for India

Discover India’s top Test batsmen who scored big across eras—Tendulkar, Dravid, Gavaskar & more in our complete breakdown.

Published - June 13, 2025 16:06:25
Updated - June 18, 2025 17:01:44

By Anjali Sharma

Test Cricket isn’t for the faint-hearted. It demands patience, technique, and a mindset built for the long haul. Every innings is a battle, and when you score big in this format over the years and not just a few matches, it means only one thing that you are one of the greats. India has produced some of the finest batters the game has ever seen. From Sunil Gavaskar’s fearless strokes in the 80s to Virat Kohli’s fierce domination in the modern era, each of these players has carried the weight of a billion hopes.

“Form is temporary, but Class is permanent.” This quote sums up the men we are about to talk about, legends who didn’t just wear the Indian Test jersey, but built a legacy in it. Today in this blog, we are breaking down the Top 10 Batsmen with the Most Runs in Test Cricket for India. So whether you are a stats lover or a Cric-fan, there’s plenty here for you to dig in.

List of Top 10 Batsmen with most runs in Test Cricket

No.	Player	Country	Career	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	100s	50s	Avg	S/R
1	S R Tendulkar	India	1989–2013	200	329	33	15921	248*	51	68	53.79	–
2	R Dravid	India	1996–2012	164	286	32	13288	270	36	63	52.31	42.51
3	S M Gavaskar	India	1971–1987	125	214	16	10122	236*	34	45	51.12	–
4	V Kohli*	India	2011–2025	123	210	13	9230	254*	30	31	46.85	55.58
5	V V S Laxman	India	1996–2012	134	225	34	8781	281	17	56	45.97	49.37
6	V Sehwag	India	2001–2013	104	180	6	8586	319	23	32	49.34	82.21
7	S C Ganguly	India	1996–2008	113	188	17	7212	239	16	35	42.18	51.26
8	C A Pujara*	India	2010–	103	176	11	7195	206*	19	35	43.61	44.37
9	D B Vengsarkar	India	1976–1992	116	185	22	6868	166	17	35	42.13	–
10	M Azharuddin	India	1984–2000	99	147	9	6215	199	22	21	45.04	–

India has produced some of the finest Test Batters in the history of cricket, with Sachin Tendulkar leading the charts as the highest run scorer with 15921 runs in 200 matches at an average of 53.79, including 51 centuries. Rahul Dravid follows with 13,288, and the other include scores from Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, and Saurav Ganguly.

Read Also:- World Test Championship Winners List

Top 5 highest Test Score by a batsman

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Tendulkar, regarded as one of the greatest batters in cricket history, had an extraordinary Test Career for India from 1989 to 2013. In total of 200 Test appearances for the Indian team he has scored a record 15921 runs in 329 innings at an exceptional average of 53.79, including 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries. He retired in 2013 with his highest score of 248 runs and has also led India in 25 Tests where he could only manage 4 wins in his favor. Despite the mixed captaincy records his legacy remains unmatched for his longevity, skill, and contributions in Indian Cricket.

2. Rahul Dravid

Dravid known as, “The Wall” of Indian Cricket was the definition of patience, technique and zeal in Test Cricket. Playing from 1996 to 2012, he has featured in 164 matches and scored 13288 runs with an average of 52.31. Dravid wasn’t an easy task to dismiss, as is evident from the number of balls he faced(31000). With a top score of 270 he has 36 hundreds and 63 fifties in his name. Though he wasn’t a bowler, he still managed to take one wicket in his short bowling spells. Leading the Indian side, Rahul captained in 25 Tests winning 8 and losing just 6 with a decent average of 44.51 during his time in charge.

3. Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar was a pioneer of Indian Test batting, he set records and benchmarks long before big scores became routine. Representing India from 1971to 1987 he has played 125 Tests and amassed a total of 10122 runs with an average of 51.72, a feat which was uncommon in his era of cricket.

Gavaskar was the first person to cross the 10,000 runs mark in Tests and he did it with fearless techniques against the best bowlers in the world. With a highest score of 236 runs, he took on to play in 214 innings. Known for solid defense and composure he led India in 47 Tests and scored 3400 runs and even contributed to 16% of India’s total runs during his playing days.

4. Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli wasn’t just a batsman; he was a force in Modern Indian Test Cricket. Over a remarkable 14 years career, he has played a total of 123 Tests, scored 9230 runs and built a legacy that will be hard to match. With 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, he has ended his career with a highest total of 254 unbeaten. Known for his passion, discipline, and unmatched intensity, Kohli brought a fearless attitude to the red ball format and consistently delivered when it mattered. He scored with an impressive average of 46.85 runs and maintained a solid strike rate of 55.58 runs and not just that he has scored nearly 15% of India’s total runs during his time in the team. In May 2025, Kohli announced his retirement from Test Cricket at the age of 36, leaving behind not just numbers but memories that will guide the upcoming younger generations.

5. V V S Laxman

VVS Laxman played 134 Test matches for India between 1996 and 2012. In his innings, he scored a total of 8781 runs at an average of 45.97. Batting mostly in the middle order during a 16-year-long Test Career his highest score in Test stands at 281. His numbers might not be that big but batting in the middle he has smashed 17 centuries and a massive 56 half-centuries. Laxman wasn’t reliable with just the bat but also great in the field. With 135 catches he is one of the sharpest slip fielders. He might not be in the limelight but he had something far rarer, timing and his temperament in crucial knocks. His legacy isn’t just about stats, it’s about the trust he built during the innings he played.