Most Runs For India In Test Cricket

Since the beginning, India has been known for producing great batsmen. From great Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid to Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma they all have been one of the best batsmen of their respective era. From the most number of international runs to the most number of balls faced by a batsman in tests, every player belongs to India. So we can call India the land of the Batsmen. In tests, India has produced some best batsmen over the years. Let’s discuss the batsmen with the most runs for India in test cricket. 

Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar started his test career at the age of 16 in 1989 against Pakistan. From the very first day, the world got to know that there was something special about the young lad batting against the most lethal bowling attack of that time on a green track but didn’t leave the ground and brought up his maiden test fifty with enormous courage. Sachin had a long career of 24 years (1989-2013). In these 24 years, Sachin scored the most number of test runs (15921) in 200 test matches, the most by any player in the history of test cricket. He also smashed 51 centuries, which is also the highest by any individual in tests. He is termed as the best-ever batsman to play the game and his stats say it all.

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	50s	100s
200	329	15921	53.8	248*	68	51

Rahul Dravid-Most Runs For India In Test

Rahul Dravid finds 2nd place on the basis of notching up the most number of runs (13288) for India in test cricket. Dravid made his test debut against England in 1996 and retired in 2012. Dravid was a specialist test batsman for his great composure, technique, and dedication. He made runs with a bewitching average of 52.3. Dravid was very tough to dismiss for the bowlers. He used to make the bowlers tired and could bat the whole day in a test match. Rahul Dravid has rescued India many times from catastrophes like 180* against Australia at Kolkata, and 233 at Adelaide Oval against Australia. Dravid is the inspiration for all new generation batsmen. In terms of the most balls faced by a batsman, Rahul topped the chart with 31258 deliveries. Dravid is also the first cricketer to hit centuries against all 10 test-playing countries. Dravid also holds the record of grabbing the most number of catches (210) by a fielder. 

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	50s	100s
164	286	13288	52.3	270	63	36

Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar has notched up the 3rd most number of runs (10122) for India in tests. Gavaskar is the first player to score 10000 test runs. Gavaskar made his test debut against West Indies in 1971. It’s not the height of Gavaskar that surprised the world but his caliber, with which he played the most ferocious bowlers of that time with ease like Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding, Jeff Thomson, etc. Gavaskar retired from test cricket in 1987. In his 16 years of career, he scored runs with a commendable average of 51.1. At his time the wickets used to be heaven for fast bowlers and tough for batsmen. He is one out of three batsmen to score over 10000 runs in tests for India. Gavaskar is also the only Indian to hit a ton in both innings of a test match thrice. 

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	50s	100s
125	214	10122	51.1	236*	45	34

VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman has made the 4th most number of runs (8781) in tests for India. VVS made his test debut against South Africa in1996 and played his last test in 2012 against Australia. Laxman was a very important part of India’s test side. He was a reliable, classy player mostly was known for his splendid flick shot. VVS scored runs with a commendable average of 45.97. He played against the best bowlers of his time like Brett Lee, Gleen McGrath, Jason Gilespie, Shoaib Akhtar, Chaminda Vaas, Muralitharan, etc. Laxman holds a unique record of being not out the most number of times (34) for India in tests. VVS has been holding the record of being the 4th highest run-scorer for 9 years now. 

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	50s	100s
134	225	8781	45.97	281	56	17

Virender Sehwag

Former Indian swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag has amassed the 5th most number of runs (8503) in the longest format of the game for India. He made his first appearance in tests in 2001 against South Africa and bid adieu to international cricket in 2013. Sehwag is the only aggressive opener of the (2001-2010) era to have a batting average of 49.43. He used to give nightmares to every bowler of this world as he would begin smashing the bowlers from the very first ball. He was one of the few batsmen who didn’t change the approach of batting in any format. Sehwag hit four double centuries, and 2 triple centuries in his Test career. His highest score came up against South Africa in 2008 in Chennai off just 304 balls. 

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	50s	100s
103	178	8503	49.43	281	31	23

Virat Kohli-Most Runs For India In Test

Current Indian skipper Virat Kohli is the 6th most run-scorer (8416) in tests for India. Virat played his first test match in 2011 against West Indies. He has been around for 9 years in test cricket and dominating every format of the game with ease. Kohli is a player who has performed well in every condition in every country. He averages 48.93 in the most interesting format of the game. Kohli has smacked the most number of double hundreds (7) in tests. So far Kohli has also hit 28 centuries.  In the recent World Test Championship final, Kohli-led India lost the test mace after getting defeated by New Zealand.

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	50s	100s
108	183	8416	48.93	254*	28	28

Sourav Ganguly

Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly comes at No 7 in terms of making the most number of runs (7212) in tests for India. Ganguly made his test debut in 1996 against England and played for 12 more years before retiring in 2008. Ganguly was a reliable middle-order batsman in tests. He used to bat at no 5- 6 in test cricket. His test average was 42.17, which was quite good. Ganguly has also scored 16 centuries and 35 half-centuries in the longest format of the game. 

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	50s	100s
113	188	7212	42.17	239	35	16

Cheteswar Pujara-Most Runs For India In Test

Current Indian top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is the 8th most run-scorer (7154) in the test format for India. He is one of the main players on India’s test side. Pujara is very tough to get out of. The batting maestro has the caliber to bat all day in a test match. For his great composure, Pujara is known as the “second wall”. He has made runs with a sensational average of 43.88, a bloke who can make bowlers tired and play selflessly for the country. 

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	50s	100s
102	174	7154	43.88	206*	35	19

Dilip Vengsarkar

Former Indian batsman Dilip Vengsarkar gets 8th place on the list of the most number of runs (6868) in test cricket for India. He had a test career of 16 years (1976-1992). Vengsarkar was one of the main players of India in the late 70s and 80s. In that era when wickets used to be bowlers friendly, he made runs at an average of 42.13. His best was 166, which he hit against Sri Lanka at Cuttack in 1987 off 279 balls. Dilip is only the 2nd player from the 80s to make it to the list of the top 10 run-scorers for India in test format. 

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	50s	100s
116	185	6868	42.13	166	35	17

Mohammad Azharuddin

Ex-Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin has scored the 10th most number of runs (6215) in tests for India. Azharuddin was a joy to watch for his fearless elegant batting. He made his test debut in 1984 and played his last match in 2000. He made runs with a fascinating average of 45.03. He is considered one of the greats to ever play for India. He had 22 hundred and 21 half-centuries in his career.

Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	50s	100s
99	147	6215	45.03	199	21	22

List of Top 10 Players With Most Test Runs for India

Players	Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	Best	50s	100s
S Tendulkar	200	329	15921	53.78	248*	68	51
R Dravid	163	284	13265	52.63	270	63	35
S Gavaskar	125	214	10122	51.13	236*	45	34
VVS Laxman	134	225	8781	45.97	281	56	17
V Sehwag	103	178	8503	49.43	319	31	23
V Kohli	108	183	8416	48.93	254*	28	28
S Ganguly	113	188	7212	42.17	239	35	16
C Pujara	102	174	7154	43.88	206*	35	19
D Vengsarkar	116	165	6868	42.13	166	35	17
M Azharuddin	99	147	6215	45.03	199	21	22