Test cricket is still the top priority for the big players around the world. The Longest format of cricket is the ultimate assessment for the players to check their game. Players who perform in the test format can easily master the other formats of the game. Over the years many amazing players have played tests for a long period but there are very few batsmen who have scored the most test runs in a calendar year, let’s gaze through them.

Mohammad Yusuf
Former Pakistani middle-order batsman Mohammad Yusuf tops the chart of most test runs in a calendar year. Yusuf’s dream year was 2006 when he amassed 1788 runs in 11 matches at a dashing average of 99.33. The Pakistani legend hit 9 centuries and 3 fifties in that year, including his highest score of 202 off 330 balls at the Iconic Lord’s.
Vivian Richards
Former West Indian captain Vivian Richards holds 2nd place on the premium list of most runs in a calendar year with 1710 runs in 11 tests. Richards achieved this feat in 1976, averaging an impressive 90. The stylish right-hand batsman smashed 7 hundred and 5 half centuries throughout the year. His highest score of 291 came against England at the Oval in 2006.
Joe Root
One of the greatest batters of the modern era, Joe Root finds himself in 3rd spot in terms of making the most test runs in a calendar year. Root had a golden run with the bat in tests in 2022. Having played 15 matches, the English ace batter notched up 1708 runs at an impressive average of 61.00. Root’s best score of that year was 228 against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Graeme Smith
Ex-South African captain Graeme Smith is featured in 4th place in getting the most test runs in a calendar year. The classy Southpaw was in the best form of his life in 2008, when he accumulated 1656 runs in 15 matches at an admirable average of 72.00. Smith accomplished the feat while the bowlers like James Anderson, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Muttiah Muralitharan, etc. were still around.
Michael Clarke
The fifth-highest run scorer for Australia in tests, Michael Clarke has made a cut among the batsmen with the most test runs in a calendar year. Clarke had a memorable year in tests in 2012. The ace right-hand batter made 1595 runs in 11 test matches, averaging 106.33 which is the highest average in test by a batsman in a year. The 43 years old hit four 200s in 2012, including his career-best 329* against India at Sydney.
Player | Year | Matches | Innings | Runs | AVG | Best | 50s | 100s |
M Yusuf (PAK) | 2006 | 11 | 19 | 1788 | 99.33 | 202 | 03 | 09 |
V Richards (WI) | 1976 | 11 | 19 | 1710 | 90.00 | 291 | 05 | 07 |
J Root (ENG) | 2021 | 15 | 29 | 1708 | 61.00 | 228 | 04 | 06 |
G Smith (SA) | 2008 | 15 | 25 | 1656 | 72.00 | 232 | 06 | 06 |
M Clarke (AUS) | 2012 | 11 | 18 | 1595 | 106.33 | 329* | 03 | 05 |
S Tendulkar (IND) | 2010 | 14 | 23 | 1562 | 78.10 | 214 | 05 | 07 |
SM Gavaskar (IND) | 1979 | 18 | 27 | 1555 | 59.80 | 221 | 08 | 05 |
R Ponting (AUS) | 2005 | 15 | 28 | 1544 | 67.13 | 207 | 06 | 06 |
R Ponting (AUS) | 2003 | 11 | 18 | 1503 | 100.20 | 257 | 04 | 06 |
KC Sangakkara (SL) | 2014 | 12 | 22 | 1493 | 71.09 | 319 | 09 | 04 |
M Vaughan (ENG) | 2002 | 14 | 26 | 1481 | 61.70 | 197 | 02 | 06 |
J Langer (AUS) | 2004 | 14 | 27 | 1481 | 54.85 | 215 | 04 | 05 |
J Root (ENG) | 2016 | 17 | 32 | 1477 | 49.23 | 254 | 10 | 03 |
Mohammad Yusuf scored the most test runs in a calendar year (1788 runs in 2006).
Sachin Tendulkar scored the most test runs in a calendar year for India, 1562 runs in 2010.
Virat Kohli’s highest score in a calendar year is 1322 runs in 13 matches in 2018.
Senior Cricket Content Editor at Skyblogs Cricket.
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