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Highest batting average as captain in tests in England

Test cricket is often called as the real test of a cricketer. Let us look at the top 5 players with the highest batting average as a Captain

Aug 31, 2021, 8:21 AM5 min read

The hardest format in the game of cricket demands the highest quality and produces the toughest players. The dominance of a team in a test is very much dependent on the captain itself. Captaining a test side is much harder and different from the ones in ODIs and T20s. It's not about controlling power plays like the limited-overs cricket, it's about controlling sessions for being at the top after the end of the day's play. In the history of Test Cricket, many captains have proved their worth and showed glimpses of an ideal skipper. Let's us take a look at those captains with highest batting average in Test's in England.

Also Read : A drought of Test Centuries and Indian top five batsmen

Top 5 players with Highest Batting Average as Captain in England :

#1. Don Bradman | Average 85.63

Sir Don Bradman | Highest Batting Average as Captain | SportzPoint.com
Sir Don Bradman
Image : news.com.au

99.94 is a popular number when one talks about Sir Don Bradman because it's an average no player could ever reach. But little do they know his average as a captain was 101.52 in 24 tests. The numbers are unbelievable, he had 14 centuries and four double centuries under his belt as a captain. However, Sir Don Bradman had played in England with an average of 85.63 and thus simply he is leading the charts.

Sir Don Bradman as a captain in Tests :

Matches 24
Innings 38
Runs 3,147
Average 101.52
50's 8
100's 14
Batting stats of Don Bradman in tests as a captain

#2. Gary Sobers | Average 72.66

Sir Gary Sobers | Highest Batting Average as Captain | SportzPoint.com
Sir Gary Sobers
Image : crictracker.com

The West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers(also known as Gary Sobers) comes at second spot in the list. Sir Gary had played a total of 93 test matches in which he has scored 80032 runs with an average of 57.78. The West Indian was given the teams charge on 1965 at the age of 29 and he was continued till 1972. He was captained the side for a total of 39 matches. However, Sir Gary Sobers had played in England with an average of mammoth 72.66 in Test cricket.

Sir Gary Sobers as a captain in Tests :

Matches 39
Innings 71
Runs 3528
Average 58.80
50's 30
100's 26
Batting stats of Sir Gary Sobers as a captain in tests

#3. Graeme Smith | Average 67.75

Graeme Smith | Highest Batting Average as Captain | SportzPoint.com
Graeme Smith
Image : espncricinfo.com

The most successful captain in Cricket South Africa's history is Graeme Smith. Graeme had played in England with an average of 67.75 as a Captain in Test's. The left-handed South African features at no. 1 in this list with 25 tons to his name as a captain. Although South Africa didn't manage to win a major ICC tournament, they were not a team to reckon with under him. During RSA's test winning streak, they were a nightmare for every team. Graeme Smith was handed the captaincy at the age of 22. He has captained South Africa in 109 test matches and led his team to victories in 53 of those, so far it's the highest by any captain in history to lead a side into the victories.

Graeme Smith as a Captain in Tests :

Matches 109
Innings 190
Runs 8,659
Average 47.84
50's 36
100's 25
Batting stats of Graeme Smith as a captain in tests

Read Also : Most test wickets in England by Indian bowlers

#4. Allan Border | Average 64.00

Allan Border | Highest Batting Average as Captain | SportzPoint.com
Allan Border
Image : cricket.com.au

One of the greatest batsman for Australia in Test cricket, Allan Border. The left handed batsman of Australia has played a total of 156 test matches scoring 11107 runs with an average of 50.56. However, Border had played in England with an average of 64.00 as a captain in Test cricket. Border has 27 tons to his name with a highest score of 205. He was given the charge of Australian Cricket Team in 1989 at the age of 34. He last captained his team against South Africa in a test Series before he got his retirement.

Allan Border as a captain in Tests :

Matches 92
Innings 180
Runs 6623
Average 50.95
50's 63
100's 27
Batting stats of Allan Border as a captain in tests

#5. Virat Kohli | Average 47.80


Virat Kohli
Image : crictracker.com

Arguably, the best player in the world Virat Kohli has captained a total of 64* matches till now. At 32, Kohli is already India's most successful captain in Test cricket with 37 wins. Virat is a class apart from others when it comes to batting. Kohli has already scored 20 tons as a captain in tests which is the second-highest in the world and still has many years of his game left. However, Kohli has played with an average of 47.80 in England as a Captain in Test cricket.

Virat Kohli as a Captain in Tests :

Matches 60
Runs 5,392
Average 59.25
50's 15
100's 20
Virat Kohli's batting stats as a captain in tests
 Highest Batting Average as Captain in England  | SportzPoint.com
Highest Batting Average as Captain in England

N.B : The stats are accurate as of 31/08/2021.

Next Article

ICC ODI Rankings: Rohit Sharma overtakes Babar Azam; makes gains despite not playing since March

Rohit Sharma jumped one place and reached the second position in the latest ICC ODI Rankings. With this, he left behind Pakistan's star batsman Babar Azam.

Aug 13, 2025, 11:22 AM3 min read

ICC ODI Rankings: Rohit Sharma overtakes Babar Azam; makes gains despite not playing since March

Indian ODI team captain Rohit Sharma has reached the second position in the men's ICC ODI rankings. In the new rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday, the Hitman jumped one place and reached the second position. With this, he left behind Pakistan's star batsman Babar Azam

Also Read: Most Ducks by an Indian in Tests

Rohit last played in March

Rohit, who has already retired from Tests and T20I, last played an ODI in March during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand, which India won.

Rohit has scored 180 runs in the ICC Champions Trophy in five matches, boasting a highest strike rate of 100.00 among the Indian batters in the tournament. Rohit has 756 rating points in the latest rankings.

Babar failed to perform against West Indies

On the other hand, Babar could not show anything special in the recent ODI series against West Indies, which the Men in Green lost 1-2 in Trinidad. As a result, he slipped to the third position.

With Babar managing just 56 runs against West Indies in three ODIs, the International Cricket Council (ICC) took a note of his strike rate to drop him to third. He managed a strike rate of just 62.22 against West Indies.

Gill at No. 1

There has been no change in Shubman Gill's reign in the latest ICC ODI rankings for batters. He is in first place with 784 rating points. Apart from Gill and Rohit, the third Indian in the top five is Virat Kohli, who is in fourth place. He has 736 rating points.

India continues to dominate the ODI charts, with five players in the top 15, including Shreyas Iyer (8th) and KL Rahul (15th).

Also Read: Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests

India to play next ODI series against Australia

It is worth mentioning that the Indian team will tour Australia in October. During this time a three-match ODI series will be played between the two.

Rohit announced after Champions Trophy 2025 that he does not intend to retire from ODI cricket, even sharing a moment with Kohli joking about it during the celebrations.

However, despite having eyes on the 2027 Cricket World Cup, Rohit and Kohli's spots are reportedly not a guarantee in the ODI setup. In fact, as per reports in recent days, the veteran duo will also have to turn up in domestic cricket as a metric for form and fitness.

On the other hand, whether Rohit will continue to be captain till the World Cup is also a topic of debate. With 25-year-old Shubman Gill impressing in England, Rohit isn't an automatic captaincy selection anymore. However, the ODI rankings continue to reflect both Rohit and Kohli's continued prowess in the 50-over format.

Next Article

Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests

Shreyas Iyer is on the verge of a comeback to India’s Test and T20I squads after dominating in ODIs and IPL 2025. Let's have a look at Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests.

Aug 9, 2025, 1:36 PM3 min read

Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests

Shreyas Iyer is on the verge of a comeback to India’s Test and T20I squads after dominating in ODIs and IPL 2025. Selectors now see Iyer as an all-format solution for India’s middle order, especially ahead of the Asia Cup and West Indies Test series. His comeback is expected to bring stability and experience, especially on spin-friendly tracks where India has struggled lately. 

Iyer has been out of favour in Tests since a back issue and poor form saw him lose his berth during the home series against England last year. The decision-makers, however, feel Iyer has done all the right things since losing his contract after expressing a reluctance to play domestic cricket. 

Also Read: Indian Cricket Team's upcoming schedule (men and women)

Let's have a look at Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests.

Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests

105 vs New Zealand (2021)

Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests

It was one of Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests against New Zealand in the first test match in Kanpur. Iyer played a phenomenal knock of 105 runs off 171 balls, including 13 fours and two sixes. This knock was memorable for Iyer as it was his debut hundred in the test match against New Zealand.

92 vs Sri Lanka (2022)

Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests

Iyer played a gem of a knock in the pink-ball Test at M Chinnaswamy Stadium against Sri Lanka in 2022. India were 86/4 after electing to bat. Iyer shone with a blistering 92 off 98 deliveries, whipping 10 fours and four maximums.

He played with the tail-enders and was the last man to be dismissed (252/10). India eventually won by 238 runs.

87 vs Bangladesh (2022)

Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests

Bowling first, India folded Bangladesh on 227. India, however, had a shaky start and were down to 94/4. Iyer then joined hands with a ferocious-looking Rishabh Pant and the duo plundered 159 runs for the fifth wicket. The pair played a part as India snatched an 87-run lead (314/10).

Iyer smacked 87 off 105 deliveries (4s: 10, 6s: 2), lifting India from the trenches.

86 vs Bangladesh (2022)

Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests

India stumbled in the first Test too (112/4 in 31.4 overs). They needed to keep the Tigers at bay. Iyer and Cheteshwar Pujara delivered the needful, stitching a 149-run partnership before the latter departed (261/5).

Iyer got out the next day after a well-struck 86 off 192 deliveries. India ended up scoring 404 in the first innings and eventually won by 188 runs.

67 vs Sri Lanka (2022)

Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests

Rishabh Pant put the Sri Lankan attack to the sword with a record-breaking half-century while Shreyas Iyer yet again conjured up a measured fifty to let India grab complete control of the second Test over Sri Lanka.

Pant’s 31-ball 50 and Iyer’s 67 after useful contributions from top-order batters meant that India set Sri Lanka a mammoth 447-run target after declaring their second innings at 303 for nine. 

Also Read: ENG vs IND: Every record Shubman Gill broke in test series

65 vs New Zealand (2021)

Shreyas Iyer's best knocks in Tests

It was another mature knock from Iyer while playing only his second innings in the purest format. India (41/3) were in a spot of bother when the debutant arrived. Despite running out of partners, Iyer managed to carve a 125-ball 65. He ended up top-scoring for the hosts.

He was noted for fetching pivotal stands with Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha, helping India reach 167/7.

Next Article

Longest wicket-taking streak in Tests among pacers

Matt Henry has now 38th consecutive innings of taking at least one wicket. In this article, we will have a look at the pacers with longest wicket-taking streak in Tests.

Aug 9, 2025, 11:53 AM3 min read

Longest wicket-taking streak in Tests among pacers

Matt Henry dismissed opener Brian Bennett for a duck during his first over of Zimbabwe’s second innings on the third day of the second Test, and that made it the 38th consecutive innings of him taking at least one wicket. Among pacers, only Australia’s Dennis Lillee and Pakistan’s Waqar Younis have maintained a longer streak of taking at least one wicket in an innings.

In this article, we will have a look at the pacers with longest wicket-taking streak in Tests.

Also Read: Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players

Longest wicket-taking streak in Tests among pacers

1. Dennis Lillee | 41 Innings

Longest wicket-taking streak in Tests among pacers

One of Australia's greatest ever fast bowlers, Dennis Lillee held the record for longest wicket-taking streak in Tests. He has 41 consecutive innings of taking at least one wicket. 

Lillee finished his career with 355 Test wickets playing 70 matches, including taking a wicket off his final delivery in international cricket. He also has 23 five-wicket hauls and 7 ten-wicket hauls.

2. Waqar Younis | 41 Innings

Longest wicket-taking streak in Tests among pacers

Waqar Younis jointly holds the record for longest wicket-taking streak in Tests, as the former Pakistan seamer achieved this feat for 41 straight innings. The former right arm fast bowler is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.

As of 2012, Younis holds the record for the youngest Pakistani Test captain and the third youngest Test captain in history (22 years 15 days). He played 87 Tests matches for Pakistan during his international cricket career from 1989 to 2003. He has 373 wickets in test cricket with a brilliant average of 23.56. Younis also has 22 five-wicket hauls and 5 ten-wicket hauls to his name.

3. Matt Henry | 38* Innings

Longest wicket-taking streak in Tests among pacers

New Zealand’s Matt Henry is potentially two Tests and four innings away from an all-time record of Lillee and Younis after the Kiwi speedster struck in his first over of Zimbabwe’s second innings on the third day of the second Test. Henry dismissed opener Brian Bennett for a duck, and that made it the 38th consecutive innings of him taking at least one wicket.

Since the start of 2024, Henry is now taken 64 wickets at an average of 15.96. No bowler who has taken 60+ wickets during this period, not even Jasprit Bumrah, has maintained a better average. January 3, 2021, in Christchurch (second innings) against Pakistan was the last time Henry failed to take a wicket in an innings in Tests.

Also Read: Most Test Centuries in Cricket History

4. Kagiso Rabada | 38 Innings

Longest wicket-taking streak in Tests among pacers

Proteas pace ace Kagiso Rabada is the most lethal bowler in Test history. He also has 38 consecutive innings of taking at least one wicket. Rabada (39.1) also holds the record for the best SR in Test cricket history among players with more than 150 Test wickets.

In 71 Tests, Rabada managed to take 336 wickets so far with an average of 21.74. He also has 17 five-wicket hauls and four ten-wicket hauls to his name. 

Next Article

ENG vs IND: Every record Shubman Gill broke in test series

Shubman Gill has touched new heights in batting as well as captaincy during ENG vs IND five-match test series and created so many records. Let's have a look.

Aug 4, 2025, 11:36 AM3 min read

ENG vs IND: Every record Shubman Gill broke in test series

Shubman Gill, who took over the captaincy of the Indian Test team after Rohit Sharma's retirement from Test cricket, proved with his performance in the current ENG vs IND Test series that the Indian selectors have not made any mistake by betting on him.

Gill not only led the Indian team going through a phase of change, but also left no stone unturned in putting pressure on England despite adverse conditions. Currently the fifth Test match between India and England is going on.

Also Read: Every record Shubman Gill broke during the ENG vs IND, 2nd test at Edgbaston

Gill has also touched new heights in batting as well as captaincy. He scored four centuries on the ENG vs IND series, including a double century. He became the second Indian to score the most runs in a Test series. Now Gill has scored 754 runs on the England tour.

There are many other records Shubman Gill broke in test series. Let's have a look.

ENG vs IND: Every record Shubman Gill broke in test series

  • Most Runs For A Visiting Captain In A Test Series: Shubman Gill created the record for scoring most runs (754) by a visiting captain in a Test series.
  • Second Most Runs For An Indian Batter In A Test Series: Shubman Gill created the record of scoring second most runs (774) for an Indian batter in a Test series after legendary Sunil Gavaskar.
  • Most Runs By An Indian Batter In A Single Test Match: During the second Test match against England, Gill created history by becoming the India batter with most runs (430 - 269 in the first innings and 161 in the second) in a single Test match.
  • Second-Most Runs By Any Batter In A Test Match: Gill created record by becoming the batter with second-most runs (430) in a Test match after Graham Gooch's 456.
  • First Batter To Score A Double Century And A 150+ In Same Test: During the ENG vs IND second Test match, Shubman Gill became the first cricketer in 148 years of Test history to score a double century (269) and a 150+ score (161) in the same Test match.
  • Highest Individual Score By An India Captain In Tests: Shubman Gill's 269 in the first innings of the second Test at Edgbaston is the highest individual score by an Indian captain in Test cricket. Gill surpassed Virat Kohli's unbeaten 254 against South Africa in 2019. 
  • First Captain To Hit 4 Centuries In A Away Test Series: Gill became the first captain to score four centuries in a Test series away from home, surpassing Don Bradman and Sunil Gavaskar, who achieved this milestone at home.
  • Fifth Player To Score Double Centuries In Both Tests And ODIs: Gill became the fifth player to score double centuries in both Test and ODI cricket.
  • Most Runs By An Indian Captain In A Debut Test Series: Gill's 754 runs in the series surpassed Virat Kohli’s 449 runs (2014-15 vs. Australia) as the highest by an Indian captain in their debut Test series.
  • Second-Most Runs By A Captain In A Test Series:  Shubman Gill became the captain with second-most runs (754) in a Test series after Sir Don Bradman, who scored 810 runs during 1936/37 Ashes.
  • First Indian Captain To Win A Test Match In Edgbaston: Shubman Gill became the first India captain (also Asian) to win a Test match at Edgbaston.
  • Most Runs By An Asian Batter In A Test Series Played In England: Shubman Gill breaks Mohammad Yousuf’s record of scoring the most runs (631) by an Asian batter in a Test series played in England.
Next Article

Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players

With 39 test tons, Joe Root is now the player with most hundreds in test cricket among active cricketers. Steve Smith and Kane Williamson follow him on the list.

Aug 3, 2025, 9:14 PM13 min read

Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players - sportzpoint.com

Test cricket, mostly called the purest format of the game, has seen some of the greatest cricketers and batters showing their skills with patience, stroke-making ability and the perseverance to bat long and score.

Past greats and legends like Don Bradman, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis and many others dominated test cricket during their time. But, with modern cricket kicking in, this time we will look at the list of active players with the most hundreds in test cricket.

Players with most Test centuries in cricket history

Players with most Test centuries in cricket history | sportzpoint.com
Infographic by Sportz Point

Before we talk about the current active cricketers, we should and must take a look at all the batters who dominate the overall list. As we all know, Sachin Tendulkar is the batter with most hundreds in test cricket. In fact, his record of 100 international tons might not be broken ever in cricket history. 

Before Sachin broke into the scene, there was Sir Don Bradman, who had retired as the batter with the most test centuries (29), and later the little master Sunil Gavaskar broke his record and finished his career with 34 test centuries. But, do they come in the list of players with the most test centuries? Let's take a look at that.

So, sadly, one of the greatest cricketers in cricket history, Sir Don Bradman, does not even come in the top 10 batters with the most test tons in cricket history. Interestingly, only Joe Root is the active cricketer on that list. Hence, you already know who the active cricketer with the most test tons is: Joe Root.

Most Test Centuries by active cricketers

#10. Ben Stokes | 13

Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players - Ben Stokes - sportzpoint.com

Regarded as one of the best test cricketers of the 2010s and 2020s, Ben Stokes is perhaps the greatest match-winner of modern cricket. The southpaw batter is as lethal with the bat in the lower middle order and can change his gear with regard to the needs of the game.

Not only that, his skill to bat with the tail and chase nearly impossible totals in the last inning is quite remarkable. 

Stokes has 13 test centuries against his name in 113 test matches for the Three Lions. His 258  in just 198 balls against South Africa in Cape Town saw him make the fastest test double century by any English cricketer. That is also the highest test score by a batter batting at number six.

And, yes, who can forget his immortal innings of 135 at Edgbaston in the 2019 Ashes Test, where he single-handedly achieved England's highest successful run chase in Tests, with Jack Leach at the other end.

#9 Tom Latham | 13

Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players - Tom Latham - sportzpoint.com

Tom Latham, the Kiwi opener, is surely one of the best top-order batters of this generation. Although he has always been in the shadow of Kane Williamson, Latham has contributed well to his country since his test debut in 2014. In the last ten years, Latham has played 81 test matches and scored 5516 test runs so far, including 13 test centuries, which places him at number nine in this list.

Latham's unbeaten 264 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 2018 is the highest score by any opener while carrying his bat. Not only that, he is only the second Kiwi cricketer to carry his bat in test cricket.

Latham is currently the vice-captain of the test team and one of the reasons for New Zealand's success in recent years.

#8. Mominul Haque | 13

Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players - Mominul Haque - 13 | sportzpoint.com

He might be the most surprising name on this list of active players with most hundreds in test cricket.

Mominul Haque, the stylish and gritty test batter from Bangladesh, is at No. 8 on this list with 13 test tons. The top-order batter started his test career with a record-breaking 181 against Sri Lanka, which is the highest debut score by any Bangladeshi batter.

Since then, he has been one of the pillars of the Bangladeshi batting lineup in tests. From 2013 to 2017, Haque averaged over 50 with the bat, which dropped to below 40 post-2022. 

 He is one of only six batters, including the likes of Don Bradman, Kumar Sangakkara and Jacques Kallis, to score seven test tons at a single venue; Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

#7 Usman Khawaja | 16

Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players - Usman Khawaja - sportzpoint.com

Another top-order batter in the list of active players with most test hundreds, who has made tons of runs in the last few years for Australia. Usman, who was born in Pakistan and later moved to Australia as a young kid, made his test debut in 2011, replacing the great Ricky Ponting at number.

At that time, he became the first Muslim cricketer to play for Australia. Despite a decent debut match, Khawaja was never given a long run and kept losing his spot in the team.

In 2015-16, he made another solid return to the test squad, but his failure in away tests always kept him in and out of the team. But, after his comeback with two tons in a single test match in 2022 against England in Sydney, Khwaja has emerged as one of the best batters for Australia. His move at the top of the order has also helped him regain his lost confidence at the international level.

Post a stunning 2023, where he scored 1210 runs in 13 test matches at 52.60, Khawaja won the 2023 ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award.

In 80 test matches so far, Khawaja has scored 5930 test runs, including 16 test tons and 27 fifty-plus scores. He is also the sixth-highest run-scorer (3251) in the World Test Championship's history, despite playing only 42 matches. 

#6 Dimuth Karunaratne | 16

Dimuth Karunaratne - sportzpoint.com

Dimuth Karunaratne has been one of the greatest modern-day batters for Sri Lanka in recent years. The Sri Lankan batter is sixth in our list of active players with most hundreds in test cricket.

The opening batter comes from the same St Joseph's College, which produced players like Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera. Dimuth debuted for Sri Lanka in tests in 2012 and gradually cemented his place in the team despite a duck in his debut inning

In 2014, he scored his debut hundred against New Zealand in Christchurch and has scored 15 more in his test career since then. Three years later, he missed his first double ton by four runs when he played an outstanding knock of 196 against Pakistan in Dubai. In 2021, he scored hundreds in three back-to-back test matches, and one of them was a 244 against Bangladesh, his best in test cricket. 

Dimuth is the highest run-getter for Sri Lanka in the World Test Championship with 2642 runs in 35 test matches so far. He has scored 6 tons in WTC history as well.

#5 Dinesh Chandimal | 16

Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players - Dinesh Chandimal 16 test centuries - sportzpoint.com

Another Sri Lankan in the list of active batters with the most test centuries prove why, despite not being considered a force, they have done well in recent times. Dinesh Chandimal, one of the most underrated cricketers going around, has climbed up in the list with a stunning hundred (116) against New Zealand at Galle. 

Chandimal, just like Angelo Mathews, emerged on the scene as one of the best talents in the country and became a mainstay in the middle order after the retirement of the legendary Sangakkara-Jayawardene pair. At 23, he was chosen as the T20I captain and as Mathews' deputy in tests.

Read Also | Most Runs in WTC 2023-25 

In 2013, Dinesh scored back-to-back centuries against Bangladesh and then played an unbeaten 162 against India in 2015 to nearly drag Sri Lanka to a win from an impossible position. His 164 against India in Delhi in 2017 was one of his remarkable innings after leading Sri Lanka to a 2-0 victory against Pakistan, away from home.

However, after that, he could not keep his form, and it wasn't until 2022 that he came back to his best with an unbeaten 206 against Australia at Galle to deny the mighty Aussies a test series win.

Till now, Chandimal has scored 16 test centuries in 88 test matches and looks like a strong candidate to be the first one to reach 20 test centuries among the active Sri Lankan cricketers. 

#4. Cheteshwar Pujara | 19

Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players - Cheteshwar Pujara - 19 | sportzpoint.com

Although he has not been a part of the Indian test team since 2023, Cheteshwar Pujara is still an active test cricketer. The modern wall of Indian cricket, who was among one of the rarest batters in this counterattacking generation to tire the bowlers down and play a whole day of test cricket, without giving it a second thought.

Pujara's temperament was one of the main reasons why he was called up for the national team in 2010. After a very impressive 72 against Australia on debut, it was only a matter of time before Pujara became a mainstay of the Indian team.

Soon, he became the joint-fastest Indian to 1000 Test runs, and quickly he became the new Wall of Indian cricket. Till now, in 103 test matches, Pujara has scored 7195, including 19 centuries. 

Recent drop in form has kept in out of the Indian team, but his love for the game has kept him going at the domestic level. Pujara is one of the 13 players in test cricket history to bat in each day of a five-day test match

Although Pujara has not played a test match for a long time, since he has not retired, he is fourth on our list of active players with most hundreds in test cricket.

Read Also: Most runs vs England in England for India in tests

#3 Kane Williamson | 33

Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players - Kane Williamson - 32 - sportzpoint.com

Kane Williamson has been the best Kiwi cricketer of the last two decades, and even the great Martin Crowe believed that he would finish as the greatest batter from New Zealand. 

Debuted in 2010, Kane scored a ton against India in Ahmedabad and since then, has never had to look back. 24 years and 151 days old, Kane then became the youngest New Zealand cricketer to score 3000 test runs. In 2015, Kane hit his first double ton against Sri Lanka in Wellington and since then has scored five more test double tons.

Read Also | Most international runs in Cricket history

As a leader, Kane in 2018 became the fourth Kiwi captain to win a test series in England, followed by a first-ever series triumph against Pakistan, away from home.

Williamson, with 9276 test runs, is the player with the most test runs for New Zealand. He also holds the record for most test centuries scored by a Kiwi batter (33). He is also the quickest batter in test history (by innings) to reach 33 test tons.

Moreover, Williamson was also the first-ever Kiwi captain to lead them to an ICC trophy success when he led them to the WTC title in 2021 against India. The former Kiwi captain is also New Zealand's highest run-getter in WTC history with 2822 runs at 61.34 average and 11 test tons. 

#2 Steve Smith | 36

Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players - Sportzpoint.com

After starting as a leg spinner in 2010, Steve Smith's journey to become one of the greatest test batters for Australia is quite remarkable. Despite getting banned for 12 months due to the ball-tampering scandal in 2018, Smith made a great comeback to test cricket and has scored 9 test centuries since 2019.

Smith scored his first century in 2013 against England at the Oval and scored three more in his next six matches. Before he was made the captain in 2015, he was already the No.1 ranked test batter in the world, scoring seven centuries in 17 test matches in 2014-15, including centuries in four consecutive test matches. 

In 2017, he scored six test tons, including a double ton in just 11 test matches to win his second ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award second time, after winning it in 2015.

Though in the past few years, bowlers have found some ways to stop him from scoring runs with his unorthodox style, he scored five centuries in 13 innings from July 2022 to June 2023.

In 2024, Smith scored two consecutive test centuries in the Australia vs India Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. With 36 test tons in just 118 tests, he is now the player with the second most hundreds in test cricket among active cricketers.

#1 Joe Root | 39

Most Hundreds in Test cricket among active players - Joe Root - 34 test tons - sportzpoint.com

2021 Test Cricketer of the Year, nominated again in 2023 for the same award, most runs and tons in World Test Championship history, most test runs by any English batter, most test tons by any English batter; these are the few achievements Joe Root made in the last seven years. 

The youngest of the "fav four", Root debuted in 2012 on England's tour to India and impressed with a 73 from 229 balls, and everyone saw his ability to stay at the crease and play long.

Five tests later, he scored his first test hundred in England against New Zealand in 2013. Two tests later, he followed that up with a 180 against Australia at Lord's.

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Before he was made the captain in 2017, he had already played 53 test matches in five years with a batting average of over 50. 190 in the first inning as test captain, and all knew he would go on to break all the records for England. Root finished 2017 with 1481 for England despite scoring only two tons.

The story continued the same way for him in the following year, as despite scoring lots of fifty-plus scores, Root could score only two test tons as England struggled in tests as a team.

But, everything changed for him in 2021 as he started the year with one century and one double century in the first three tests. Another back-to-back hundred against India at home would mean he would go on to win the 2021 ICC Test Cricketer of the Year Award.

Root that year nearly broke the record of the most test runs scored in a calendar year with 1708 test runs, missing the record by 80 runs.

Since the start of 2022, Root has scored 16 test tons, scoring 4012 test runs at an average of 54.95. In WTC, he is the highest run scorer with 6080 runs at an average of 52.86 and 21 centuries.

With 39 test tons, Joe Root is now the player with most hundreds in test cricket among active cricketers.

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