Most runs for India in Test cricket

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.

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#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. 

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#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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#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. 

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#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.