Since the beginning, India has been known for producing great batsmen. From great Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid to Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma they all have been one of the best batsmen of their respective eras. 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.

Also Read: Most Test runs for Bangladesh: Top 5 list

#1. Sachin Tendulkar | 15921 runs

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.

#2. Rahul Dravid | 13288 runs

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. 

Read Also: Most Test wins by a Captain in a Calendar Year

#3. Sunil Gavaskar | 10122 runs

India legend 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.

#4. VVS Laxman | 8781 runs

VVS Laxman has made the 4th most number of runs (8781) in tests for India. Laxman 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.

VVS 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.

Also Read: Joe Root vs Steve Smith: Who is the Best in Test Cricket?

#5. Virender Sehwag | 8503 runs

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.

Read Also: Test Cricket Records: Most Sixes in Test

#6. Virat Kohli | 8118* runs

Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli is the 6th most run-scorer (8118) in tests for India. Virat played his first test match in 2011 against West Indies. He has been around for 12 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 49.20 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 27 centuries.  In the recent World Test Championship final, Kohli-led India lost the test mace after getting defeated by New Zealand.

Also Read: Test Cricket Records: Youngest to reach 10,000 Test runs

#7. Sourav Ganguly | 7212 runs

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. 

Read Also: Test Cricket Records: Players to get out on 199

#8. Cheteshwar Pujara | 7008* runs

Current Indian top-order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is the 8th most run-scorer (7008) in test format for India. He is one of the main players on India's test side. Pujara is very tough to get out of. He 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 44.64, a bloke who can make bowlers tired and play selflessly for the country. Pujara has recorded 19 centuries as well as 34 fifties in the longest format of the game.

N.B: Last Updated on 23/12/2022.

In Test cricket, captaincy is often associated with experience and seasoned wisdom, which matters in the long format. However, young talents step up early and prove how they are worthy of leadership.

With Shubman Gill stepping up as the new test captain for India, let's take a moment to celebrate the youngest cricketers to lead India in tests.

Here we bring you the five youngest cricket to ever represent India in tests as a captain.

5. Shubman Gill (25 years 285 days) | 2025

The newest name to join this list of young Indian test captains is Shubman Gill. At the age of 25 years and 285 days, Gill became the 37th test captain of India, and is set to lead in the longest format of the game.

The Indian team will play under Gill's captaincy with the commencement of five-match test series against England on June 20, 2025. This was a major change in the test squad after the former captain, Rohit Sharma, along with Virat Kohli, announced retirement from tests.

Gill made his test debut against Australia in December 2020, and scored 1893 runs, with 5 centuries and 7 fifties so far. With this new turnaround in his career, he became the 5th youngest cricketer to lead India in tests.

Read Also: Every Test Captain of Indian Men's Test Cricket Team

4. Ravi Shastri (25 years 229 days) | 1988

A prominent all-rounder and later a successful coach for the Indian team, Ravi Shastri also briefly held the reins of Test captaincy. He took on the role at the age of 25 years and 229 days, when he led India against West Indies on January 11, 1988.

His captaincy tenure was limited to a single match, but it was a memorable one, as India secured a victory by 255 runs. Shastri scored 3830 runs and took 151 wickets in his test career, that spanned from 1981 to 1992.

3. Kapil Dev (24 years 48 days) | 1983

The legendary all-rounder, Kapil Dev stepped into test captaincy for India at the age of 24 years and 48 days. His first match as a captain was against West Indies on February 23, 1983.

Dev captained India in 34 matches and proved how he was worthy of the position with true leadership skills at such young age. He took 434 wickets and scored 5248 runs in his test career (1978-1994).

He is still the youngest captain to win the World Cup for any team, and comes third in the list for youngest cricketers to lead India in tests.

Read Also: Most successful Test captains from India

2. Sachin Tendulkar (23 years 169 days) | 1996

One of the greatest batsmen of all time, Sachin Tendulkar also had his tenure as the test captain of India at the age of 23 years and 169 days. He first took on the captaincy to lead India in a match against Australia, in 1996.

Tendulkar's captaincy journey had two phases, with him leading in 25 matches. He had an incredible test career with 15921 runs in 200 matches, which is still the highest by any batter in the world!

Read Also: 16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium

1. Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (21 years 77 days) | 1962

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi remains India's youngest ever test captain, having taken the role at the age of just 21 years and 77 days! He was famously known as 'Tiger' Pataudi in the field of cricket.

He captained India in 40 matches out of his 46-match test career. Despite losing his right eye in an accident early in his career, he continued to play and lead with brilliant skills and courage.

Pataudi scored 2793 runs, smashing 6 centuries and 16 half-centuries in his test career (1961-1975).

While team victories are the ultimate goal in IPL, the 'Player of the Match' (P.O.T.M) award is the direct recognition of a player's game-changing performance.

Winning P.O.T.M a couple of times shows how a player has outshined the rest and truly dominated the game. We will now explore the players with most P.O.T.M awards in IPL.

Keep an eye out, as Rohit Sharma is remarkably close to reaching the top.

1. AB de Villiers (25 P.O.T.M Awards)

The "Mr. 360" of cricket, AB de Villiers, holds the most P.O.T.M awards in IPL history with 25 awards throughout his career with DC and primarily Royal Challengers Bengaluru. 

Whether it was fast paced fifties or scorching hundreds, his impact was undeniable. His IPL career spanned from 2008-2021, and yet no one could match his numbers in terms of Player of the match awards.

Read Also: Most sixes hit by any batter in IPL history

2. Chris Gayle (22 P.O.T.M Awards)

Whether it's the list of most sixes in IPL or highest individual scores, this West Indies legend always finds his spot in the top for all of them. Chris Gayle has the second-most P.O.T.M awards in IPL with 22 awards in total.

He played for franchises like KKR, PBKS, and RCB, and won multiple awards at his prime years like 2011 (smashed 2 centuries), 2012 (claimed the Orange Cap) and of course, 2013, where he scored the monumental 175* against PWI.

3. Rohit Sharma (21 P.O.T.M Awards)

Rohit Sharma is the Indian player with most P.O.T.M awards in IPL and the third-highest in this list. He received 21 awards and is just an award away to equal Gayle's number. 

Sharma received 2 P.O.T.M awards in IPL 2025; one for his 75* (45 balls) against CSK in league stage, and the other for his 81 runs off 50 balls against GT in IPL Eliminator.

As Mumbai Indians are set to play the Qualifier 2 this season, there's high chances of Rohit bagging another one (or maybe 2).

Read Also: 16 Indian Cricketers with stands named after them at a stadium

4. Virat Kohli (19 P.O.T.M Awards)

One of the most consistent run-scorer and match-winner for RCB, Virat Kohli stands fourth with an impressive 19 P.O.T.M awards in IPL. He is like the heart of the team and doesn't need awards to measure his greatness.

Kohli has won a P.O.T.M award in IPL 2025 for his unbeaten 73 runs against Punjab Kings. He has scored 8 half-centuries so far this season and there might be another loading as RCB is set to play the Final.

Kohli received multiple P.O.T.M awards during the 2016 season where he scored the record-breaking 973 runs.

Read Also: IPL 2025: RCB batters create this unique history before the playoffs

5. David Warner (18 P.O.T.M Awards)

The Australian legend, David Warner, had an incredible journey in IPL. He was the key player of every franchise that he represented, such as Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad. He won 18 P.O.T.M awards in IPL.

He has also been a three-times orange cap winner (2015, 2017, 2019), which tells a lot about his career peak in IPL and the shower of P.O.T.M awards in those years.

6. MS Dhoni (18 P.O.T.M Awards)

The five-time IPL winning captain, MS Dhoni, equals the number of P.O.T.M awards as Warner with 18 awards in IPL. His unparallel impact, captaincy, and match finishing abilities has earned him this high count of awards.

In IPL 2025, Dhoni won the P.O.T.M award by delivering a match-winning knock of 26* runs off just 11 balls against LSG, which also made him the oldest player to win a P.O.T.M award in IPL history, at the age of 43 years and 280 days.

The IPL is like a festival of sports for India as we call it. It is also the festival of explosive and jaw-dropping sixes. The list for most sixes hit by any batter in IPL history is led by one and only, Chris Gayle. It is not surprising one bit, is it? 

Dive into the list of several batters that are so close to match Gayle's six-hitting numbers, where some names will surely surprise you.

1. Chris Gayle (357 sixes)

When it comes to hitting sixes in IPL, there is Chris Gayle, and then there's everyone else. This West Indies legend tops the chart for most sixes hit by any batter in IPL history with 357 sixes (in just 141 innings)!

Gayle's IPL journey spanned from 2009 to 2021, and he was the first batsman to cross the 300-mark in terms of sixes. He displayed his batting peak with franchises like KKR, PBKS, and especially RCB.

His most memorable six-hitting moment of IPL came in 2013 when he smashed 175* runs off 66 balls against PWI, hitting 17 explosive sixes.

Read Also: 5 batters with the most runs in IPL playoffs history

2. Rohit Sharma (302 sixes)

Known for his aggressive start and batting, Rohit Sharma, is the only batter who has hit 300+ sixes after Gayle in IPL history. He holds the second place, with 302 sixes (in 265 innings).

The hitman doesn't like to take things slow, and always delivers the ball out of the boundary with his powerful pulls and cover drives. Once he gets in his six-hitting zone, it truly gets difficult to stop him!

Sharma has consistently stood up for the team, and these numbers are about to get high as he will continue to play and dominate in IPL in the future.

3. Virat Kohli (291 sixes)

When has it occurred that there's a list of excellent batting records where this man doesn't hold a spot? 

Virat Kohli, the batting maestro, holds the 3rd position with 291 sixes (in 258 innings). Even though he is widely known for his exquisite cover drives and hitting smooth boundaries, his ability to time the ball perfectly out for a six has been phenomenal throughout his IPL career.

Kohli is just 9 sixes away to cross the 300-mark, that he might cross in IPL 2025 itself!

Read Also: IPL records - Batters with most 500+ runs seasons: Kohli breaks Warner's records

4. MS Dhoni (264 sixes)

MS Dhoni, like the greatest finisher he is, has hit an impressive 264 sixes (in 242 innings) in his IPL career so far. He has been brutal in the death overs and has always made sure his team takes the victory home when he his unbeaten at the crease.

Dhoni's six-hitting skills often changes the momentum of the game and puts the opposition under immense pressure, as he becomes unstoppable!

5. AB de Villiers (251 sixes)

The South African legend, AB de Villiers, holds several batting records and had delivered many cherishable moments for RCB throughout his IPL journey (2008-2021), and this is one of them. He is the 5th batter to have 250+ sixes in IPL history.

He hit 251 sixes (in 170 innings) which tells a lot about his phenomenal skills and love for hitting sixes. He had the ability to deliver the ball in every corner of the stadium and was called "Mr. 360" for a reason!

Read Also: Most Sixes in an innings by an Indian in IPL

Other batters with 200+ sixes in IPL history

India A started their England tour on a great note with a solid Day 1 display against the England Lions in Canterbury. Karun Nair headlined the day with a solid, unbeaten 186 with the bat for India A.

England Lions captain James Rew won the toss and decided to bowl first on a greenish pitch at the St. Lawrence Ground. 

India A lost captain Abhimanyu Easwaran early on 8 while Yashasvi Jaiswal went back to the dressing room after adding 24. 

When it looked like that, Rew took the right decision of bowling first, Sarfaraz Khan and Karun Nair put up a 181-run partnership for the third wicket to give India A the advantage after Day 1’s play. 

Karun Nair, who last played a test match in 2017, continued his great form and completed his fifty in 85 balls. 

Soon, Sarfraz Khan, who was dropped from the test squad, completed his fifty in 84 balls as well. When both batters were looking to get to the hundred mark first, Sarfraz was caught down the leg side on 92 off 119 balls and missed his ton.

Sarfaraz Khan gets dismissed 8 short of a well-deserved hundred.

Sarfaraz was looking good but was eventually caught down the leg side on 92.

Karun Nair is batting on 97!

India A 233/3 in the first inning!#ENGAvINDA #SarfarazKhan pic.twitter.com/pY7pCRmwZP

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) May 30, 2025

Nair, who was dropped on 89 off Ajeet Singh Dale, completed his 24th first-class ton off 155 balls.

Post that, incoming batter Dhruv Jurel and Nair started smashing the bowlers and changed their gears. Nair reached the landmark of 150 in 205 balls while Jurel reached his fifty in just 68 balls.

At the end of Day 1 of the 4-day unofficial test match, Jurel remained unbeaten on 82 off 104 balls while Nair remained unbeaten on 186 from 246 balls, with India A finishing with 409/3. 

Never before has an IPL team displayed such diverse batting depth as Royal Challengers Bengaluru did in IPL 2025. This season, they set a new league record by having 10 different players who each scored at least one half-century.

They broke the previous benchmark set by Mumbai Indians of nine different half-centurions in 2017. Find out how RCB batters create this unique history before the playoffs to take this game to another level.

1. Virat Kohli (8 half-centuries)

The chase master, Virat Kohli, is leading the pack with 8 half-centuries to his name in IPL 2025. He started this season with a fifty and ended the league stage with scoring his 8th one of this season.

He's been incredibly consistent throughout, and scored 602 runs in 13 matches, with a strike rate above 147. He is also among the top 5 contenders in the race for Orange Cap.

Kohli fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs KKR: 59* runs (36 balls)
• vs MI: 67 runs (42 balls)
• vs RR: 70 runs (42 balls)
• vs PBKS: 73* runs (54 balls)
• vs RR: 62* runs (45 balls)
• vs DC: 51 runs (47 balls)
• vs CSK: 62 runs (33 balls)
• vs LSG: 54 runs (30 balls)

𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘆 of the season for @virat.kohli 🔥

The King leading the chase for #RCB 👑

They need 113 runs from 60 deliveries.

Updates ▶ https://t.co/h5KnqyuYZE #TATAIPL | #LSGvRCB | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/9Ti12G4veI

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 27, 2025

2. Phil Salt (3 half-centuries)

The England batter, Phil Salt, proved to be a key opener along with Kohli for the team in IPL 2025. He also started the season with scoring a fifty against KKR, and contributed with 331 runs across 11 matches played.

Salt fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs KKR: 56 runs (31 balls)
• vs RR: 65 runs (33 balls)
• vs SRH: 62 runs (32 balls)

Read Also: IPL 2025: RCB create a unique record that none has achieved in league's history

3. Rajat Patidar (2 half-centuries)

The skipper, Rajat Patidar, has not been able to fire with the bat much, but he stood up for RCB whenever he could. This season, he scored 2 half-centuries against two big teams (MI & CSK).

Patidar fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs MI: 64 runs (32 balls)
• vs CSK: 51 runs (32 balls)

4. Devdutt Padikkal (2 half-centuries)

Batting at no. 3, Devdutt Padikkal, has served as a vital asset for RCB in crucial games. He proved the fans how he was deserving of his position in the playing XI, by delivering spectacular knocks and 2 half-centuries.

Unfortunately, Padikkal had to leave mid-season due to injury issues, but his contribution makes him the fourth batter that helped RCB create this unique history before the playoffs.

Read Also: Every heated moment of IPL 2025 that you missed

Padikkal fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs PBKS: 61 runs (35 balls)
• vs RR: 50 runs (27 balls)

5. Jacob Bethell (1 half-century)

The 21-year-old Jacob Bethell is the youngest half-centurion of this season for RCB. He scored his maiden IPL fifty against Chennai Super Kings and made his mark with a banger.

Bethell fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs CSK: 55 runs (33 balls)

6. Tim David (1 half-century)

Tim David is like the backbone of RCB who stands strong along the boundary line and never lets a ball pass through! Besides his on-field contribution with his spectacular catching and fielding skills, this power-hitter has delivered with the bat too.

David scored his maiden IPL fifty against PBKS and that was a treat to watch. He comes to bat at crucial times and makes sure his team reaches a defendable total.

David fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs PBKS: 50* runs (26 balls)

Maiden #TATAIPL fifty for Tim David 👊

Relive his three consecutive sixes 🚀

Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/7fIn60rqKZ #RCBvPBKS pic.twitter.com/iGtby4FPTy

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 18, 2025

7. Krunal Pandya (1 half-century)

Krunal Pandya is one of the most consistent all-rounder of this season for RCB. He has taken crucial wickets for the team and helped them earn those crucial points.

Apart from bowling, Pandya scored a match-winning half-century against Delhi Capitals. He came to bat at the time when RCB's batting order collapsed early, and delivered an amazing knock.

Pandya fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs DC: 73 runs (47 balls)

Read Also: Highest partnerships in IPL 2025

8. Romario Shepherd (1 half-century)

Romario Shepherd's half-century against CSK in IPL 2025 was is an explosive batting tale to talk about. His unbeaten 53* off just 14 balls left the bowlers and spectators stunned!

Shepherd single-handedly scored 33 runs off the 19th over and showered the fans with sixes.

Shepherd fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs CSK: 53* runs (14 balls)

Are you not entertained? 🤩

Romario Shepherd thrilled the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium with a 'blink and you miss' knock 🫡🔥

Updates ▶ https://t.co/I4Eij3ZNlN#TATAIPL | #RCBvCSK | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/uPDjTUpOvY

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 3, 2025

9. Liam Livingstone (1 half-century)

The English all-rounder, Liam Livingstone, etched his name in the list of half-centurions for RCB by scoring one against Gujarat Titans in their league match. He helped the team reach a respectable total when they had lost all hopes in the first inning of the match.

Livingstone fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs GT: 54 runs (40 balls)

10. Jitesh Sharma (1 half-century)

Here comes the 10th batter whose half-century was a special one for RCB. Jitesh Sharma, who became the stand-in captain for the team, scored his first fifty for the team in their last league match.

He showed no mercy to the bowlers and scored 85* off just 33 balls to help RCB chase down a big total and reach top-two in the points table. 

Read Also: Highest Successful Run Chases in IPL History

Sharma fifties in IPL 2025:

• vs LSG: 85* runs (33 balls)

𝙅𝙖𝙯𝙯𝙮 𝙅𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙝 😎

An absolute masterclass 👏#RCB fans, a word for your captain 👇

Updates ▶ https://t.co/h5KnqyuYZE #TATAIPL | #LSGvRCB | @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/Z4GN9RoRKB

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 27, 2025