It's often said that Test cricket is the best cricket among all the formats. Test cricket checks a player's long run in the game. It needs a lot of patience and encouragement to understand the game's condition. The players who match all the checklists are those who end up playing the most matches for their country. James Anderson overtook former Aussie skippers Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh to become the second player after the cricket GOD Sachin Tendulkar to be featured in most tests in test cricket's history. However, SportzPoint is here to give you the list of those players who have played the most test matches in cricket's history.

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#6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul | 164 Tests

Former West Indies legendary batsman of the longest format, Shivnarine Chanderpaul comes at number six on this list of players who played the most test matches in their career. Chanderpaul has played 164 tests in his career, in which he has aggregated 11,867 runs with an average of 51.37. In 280 innings Shivnarine has smashed 66 half-centuries and 30 centuries in his Test cricket career. Meanwhile, he has also registered the highest score of 203 in the format. Chanderpaul has retired from Test cricket back in the year 2015 as he last played his last test against England in that year.

#5. Jacques Kallis | 166 Tests

Jacques Kallis is often known for his all-round skills in the different formats of the game. Kallis has one of the best all-rounders in world cricket as he comes at fifth place on this list. Jacques Kallis has featured in 166 tests for his country South Africa and proves what he can do with both the bat and bowl. Meanwhile, in those 166 tests, Kallis has aggregated 13,289 runs with an impressive average of 55.37 and also took 292 wickets in 272 innings. So, no doubt that he will always remain as one of the greatest all-rounders of the game. Kallis has registered 58 half-centuries and 45 centuries and also scalped five five-fors in his Test career.

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#4. Steve Waugh | 168 Tests

Former Australia skipper Steve Waugh has played 168 tests in his test career and features the fourth spot on this list of players who have played the most test matches in cricket's history. Meanwhile, Steve Waugh is also one of the greatest captains in Test cricket's history. Waugh has the best winning percentage as a captain in test cricket. Meanwhile, in 168 tests, Waugh has aggregated 10,927 runs with an average of 50.59 and also scalped 92 test wickets. Steve Waugh has registered 50 half-centuries and 32 centuries and entitled the highest score of 200 runs in his Test career.

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#3. Ricky Ponting | 168 Tests

Another former Australian skipper and one of the greats in the world of cricket, Ricky Ponting has come on this list of players who have played the most test matches in their career. Ricky Ponting has also played the same amount of matches just like Steve Waugh played. Both of them have featured in 168 tests for Australia. The former skipper has also had a good win percentage in Tests that he has captained. In 168 tests, Ponting has aggregated 13,378 runs with an impressive average of 51.85. meanwhile, Ricky Ponting has also registered 62 half-centuries and 41 centuries and the highest score of 257 in his Test career.

#2. James Anderson | 169* Tests

England ace pacer James Anderson has played 169 tests so far and thus features at the second place on this list of players who have played the most test matches in their career. James Anderson is currently playing his 169th test at Sydney in the ongoing Ashes test series. Meanwhile, he overtook former Aussie captains Ricky Ponting (168) and Steve Waugh (168) and became the second player with the most test matches in crickets history. Anderson is just after the legend Sachin Tendulkar, who has played 200 Tests in 25 years his long career. Meanwhile, in his 169 tests, Anderson has picked 640 wickets with a decent average of 26.53. He has registered 31 fifers and three 10 fers in his Test career.

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#1. Sachin Tendulkar | 200 Tests

The GOD of Cricket and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar comes at the top spot on this list as Sachin featured in 200 Tests for India in his 25 years long career. Sachin is miles ahead in comparison with the other contenders of this list. Although, James Anderson is just 31 tests away to touch Sachin's 200 tests record. Sachin has been called the GOD of Cricket as he smashed over 34k runs and scored against all odds in his cricket career. In 200 Tests, Sachin has aggregated 15,921 runs in 329 innings with a decent average of 53.79. Sachin has smashed 68 half-centuries and 51 centuries in his 25 years long Test career.

N.B: The stats are accurate as of 06/01/2022.

Pink Ball Test, a five-day match contested under lights like a One Day International, was first held in November 2015 after a lot of trials in First-Class cricket across the globe. Day-Night Test was introduced to add more to the longer format as white-ball especially the T20s has taken over the game with crowds preferring the shorter format.

Also Read: Most Runs for India in Pink Ball Test

India are set to play their second Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide. After winning the Perth Test match by a massive margin of 295 runs, India will face Australia against the pink ball, under lights. So before the start of the series, let's take a look at the Indian bowlers who took the most wickets in the Pink Ball Test. 

1# Ravichandran Ashwin | 18 Wickets

Ravichandran Ashwin is the highest wicket taker for India in the pink ball test. He appeared in all 4 of India's matches, taking 18 wickets at an average of 13.83. In his Test career, he played 105 matches, in which he took 536 wickets at an average of 23.95. Meanwhile, he has taken 5 wickets in 37 innings. Ashwin did not play in the first Test of the current series.

2# Axar Patel | 14 Wickets

Left-arm spinner Axar Patel has played only 2 matches with the pink ball, taking 14 wickets with a strong average of 9.14. In 2021, he took a total of 11 wickets in the day-night test played against England in Ahmedabad. He took 5 wickets in both the innings. In his Test career so far, Axar has taken 55 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 19.34.

3# Umesh Yadav | 11 Wickets

Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadav has also had a strong performance in the day-night test. The Indian fast bowler has taken 11 wickets in 2 matches with an excellent average of 15.54. In his Test career, Umesh has played 57 matches, in which he has taken 170 wickets at an average of 30.95. He is currently out of the Indian team. Umesh played his last Test in 2023.

4# Jasprit Bumrah | 10 Wickets

Jasprit Bumrah, who led the Indian team on the first test, has taken 10 wickets in the pink ball test. Bumrah has taken 10 wickets in 3 day-night tests. He took 5 wicket haul against Sri Lanka. Bumrah is currently on Australia tour. He took a total of 8 wickets in the first Perth Test of the series.

5# Ishant Sharma | 10 Wickets

Ishant Sharma has also taken 10 wickets each in the Pink Ball Test. Ishant took 10 wickets in 2 tests. He took a total of 9 wickets in the match against Bangladesh. He is currently out of the Indian team. Ishant played his last Test in 2021.

Pink Ball Test, a five-day match contested under lights like a One Day International, was first held in November 2015 after a lot of trials in First-Class cricket across the globe. Day-Night Test was introduced to add more to the longer format as white-ball especially the T20s has taken over the game with crowds preferring the shorter format.

Also Read: Border–Gavaskar Trophy: India's record in Pink Ball Test

India are set to play their second Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide. After winning the Perth Test match by a massive margin of 295 runs, India will face Australia against the pink ball, under lights. So before the start of the series, let's take a look at the Indian batters who scored the most runs in the Pink Ball Test. 

1# Virat Kohli | 277 Runs

Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli has a fine record against the pink-ball, having played all of India's four pink-ball matches so far. He leads the scoring chart in pink ball Test cricket for India. In six innings so far, he has scored 277 runs at an average of 46.16, with a century and fifty. His knock of 136* against Bangladesh in 2019 at Kolkata is the only century by an Indian in a pink-ball Test.

After having overcome a lean patch of form with a century at Perth, Virat would be raring to continue his golden run in Australia and at the Adelaide Oval.

2# Rohit Sharma | 173 Runs

Indian team captain Rohit Sharma comes second on the list scoring just one half-century in Pink Ball Tests, accumulating 173 runs in five matches at an average of 39. This will be Rohit Sharma’s first Day-Night Test match on foreign soil, as all three of his previous Pink Ball Tests were played in India. 

As an opener, Rohit will need to weather the new ball, especially during twilight and night sessions when the pink ball is at its most ferocious. It will be quite interesting to see how Rohit goes about his business in the upcoming game.

3# Shreyas Iyer | 159 Runs

Shreyas Iyer has played just one day-night Test match and has scored 159 runs in it. He put up knocks of 92 and 67 in the second test between India and 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.

4# Ajinkya Rahane | 100 Runs

Ajinkya Rahane comes in 4th place with 100 runs in 3 matches. Rahane also scored a half-century against Bangladesh in 2019.

5# Cheteshwar Pujara | 98 Runs

Cheteshwar Pujara is 5th on this list. He has amassed just 98 runs in 3 day-night Test matches. Pujara put up knocks of 55 and 43 against Bangladesh and Australia respectively. 

The second match of the five-match Border–Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia will be played in Adelaide from December 6. This will be a day-night test played with the pink ball. 

The good thing for India is that regular captain Rohit Sharma has returned. Apart from this, Shubman Gill is also on the verge of becoming fit. With the return of these two, Indian batting will become stronger. However, the team management will be worried about the playing 11. Fitting Rohit and Gill into a winning combination is a matter of concern.

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It is considered certain that Devdutt Padikkal will sit on the bench. Apart from this, Dhruv Jurel can also be seen sitting on the bench. The biggest problem will be whether KL Rahul will be sent to open or he will be sent back to number five. Before that let us look at India's statistics in Day-Night Test or Pink Ball Test.

India has played four pink ball tests so far

India has played four day-night tests so far. Out of these, they have won in three, while they have faced defeat in one. Team India has won 75 percent of the matches in the day-night test. The only Test in which the Indian team lost was played in Adelaide four years ago. This was the first Test of India's tour of Australia in the 2020/21 Border–Gavaskar Trophy. Team India, captained by Virat Kohli, had to face a crushing defeat by eight wickets.

What happened in the India-Australia match in Adelaide in 2020?

Batting first in Adelaide, India had scored 244 runs. Cheteshwar Pujara scored 43 runs and Ajinkya Rahane 42 runs. In reply, Australia's first innings was limited to 191 runs. Marnus Labuschagne scored 47 runs and captain Tim Paine scored 73 runs.

The Indian team was devastated in the second innings and was reduced to just 36 runs. This is also India's lowest score in Tests. Cummins and Hazlewood took four and five wickets respectively. India had set a target of 90 runs by taking the lead against Australia. Australia won the match by scoring 93 runs for two wickets. Matthew Wade scored 33 runs, while Joe Burns remained unbeaten on 51 runs.

India played first pink ball test in 2019

India played its first pink ball test against Bangladesh in 2019 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata and won by 46 runs. After this, after playing against Australia in 2020, Team India defeated England by 10 wickets in the day-night test in Ahmedabad in February 2021 and then Sri Lanka by 238 runs in Bengaluru in March 2022. India's highest score in the day-night test is 347/9.

Indian batter who scored most runs in pink ball test

Virat Kohli has scored the most runs for India in the day-night test. He has scored 277 runs in four such matches at an average of 46.16. At the same time, Rohit Sharma is at second place with 173 runs in three matches at an average of 43.25. Shreyas Iyer is at third place in the list. He has scored 155 runs at an average of 79.50. 

Whereas, if we talk about bowlers, Ravichandran Ashwin has taken the most wickets for India in the day-night test. He has taken 18 wickets in four such matches. At the same time, Akshar Patel has taken 14 wickets in two pink ball tests. Umesh Yadav has taken 11 wickets in two such matches.

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Highest runs for India in day-night test

Most wickets for India in day-night test

Australia's figures in day night test

Australia has an exceptional record in day night tests. They have played 12 day-night tests so far, out of which they have won 11 while losing only one. What makes their record even more impressive is that their wins have come against different opponents. These include India, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. Australia defeated New Zealand by three wickets in the first international day-night Test in Adelaide in 2015. 

The matter of concern for Australia is that Josh Hazlewood, who wreaked havoc in 2020, will not play in the second Test of the Border–Gavaskar Trophy due to injury.

India created history in the first Test of the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy by achieving their largest-ever win in Australia. At Perth's Optus Stadium, a venue where the Australian team had never lost before, India registered a stunning victory. Led by Jasprit Bumrah’s Player of the Match (POTM) worthy 8/72 across the two innings, India defeated Australia by 295 runs, their biggest every victory by runs in the country (if innings wins not considered). 

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After achieving the POTM Award in Perth, Jasprit Bumrah became the fifth Indian captain who won POTM awards in Australia in Tests. Here's the other captain who achieved this feat on Australian soil.

1. Kapil Dev | Adelaide, 1985

The Haryana Hurricane Kapil Dev earned the POTM award following his spell of 8 for 106 in the first innings of the 1985 Adelaide Test, which set the stage for India to secure a draw against the home team. He was the first Indian captain who won POTM awards in Australia in Tests.

2. Sachin Tendulkar | Melbourne, 1999

In Melbourne in December 1999, when the weather was damp and batting a struggle, Australia rallied to 405 and India crumbled around Tendulkar. He scored his third ton on Australian soil since his twin shows in the 1991-92 series. His 116 off 191 balls (nine fours, one six) saw a follow-on-saving 43-run partnership with Anil Kumble (28 not out) and India ended on 238. The 167-run lead proved to be decisive as India lost the game by 180 runs, with Tendulkar’s POTM award coming as the visiting side’s consolation.

3. Sourav Ganguly | Brisbane, 2003

At the Gabba, India slipped from 61 for 0 to 62 for 3, in response to Australia's 323. In conditions that offered the pace and bounce that are the hallmark of Australian venues, Ganguly displayed remarkable judgement in his handling of the short delivery, and scored his first Test hundred in Australia.

Ganguly's 146-run stand with VVS Laxman (75) for the 5th wicket was notched up in 206 balls and his 144-run knock was studded with 18 hits to the fence. Such was the class of Ganguly's knock that it drew applause even from some of the Aussie players. This was India's first drawn series in Australia since 1981.

4. Ajinkya Rahane | Melbourne, 2021

After India were hammered in the first match in Adelaide Test series in 2021, skipper Kohli returned home for personal reasons and the responsibility fell on Rahane. Under Rahane's captaincy, India won the game by eight wickets and level the series 1-1. During this Rahane slammed his 12th Test hundred (112 off 223 balls). Rahane later led India to win the fourth and final Test in Brisbane to give his side a 2-1 series victory.

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5. Jasprit Bumrah | Perth, 2024

India played superb cricket over the span of the three and a half days in Perth, and defeated Australia by 295 runs, their biggest every victory by runs in the country (if innings wins not considered). 

Led by Jasprit Bumrah’s Player of the Match worthy 8/72 across the two innings at the Optus Stadium in Perth, India were rampant in the Test match right after their disappointing first innings on Day 1 when they folded for 150. They blew away Australia for just 104 in their first innings, and took a 46 runs lead. India scored 487/6d in the second innings and gave Australia a target of 534. The Australian top order collapsed once again in the second innings and the hosts could have repeated the first innings performance.

Yashasvi Jaiswal has inscribed himself in India's cricketing history as he has surpassed the great Vijay Hazare to reach an excellent milestone. Jaiswal breaks Vijay Hazare's record of being the Indian batter with the most test runs after the first 15 test appearances. 

With his commendable innings of 161 off 297 in the second innings of the Perth Test against Australia, the young Indian batsman has accumulated 1568 runs so far in his first 15 test matches which is by far the most by any Indian batsman. 

The 22-year-old batter had to return to the pavilion very early in the first innings against Australia, with a duck by his name. However, Jaiswal has redeemed himself and registered a mammoth innings of 161 off just 297 balls in the second innings. The innings was studded with 14 fours and 3 sixes.

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Storming into the club of greats

Vijay Hazare, one of the greatest-ever to play test cricket for India, held the record of scoring most runs for an Indian batter after 15 test appearances, as he bagged 1420 runs in total. Now Yashasvi Jaiswal has stormed into the list and clinched the first spot. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal also entered the list of the fastest batsmen to reach 1000 test runs. He is now 10th on the list having reached the 1000-run benchmark in just 16 test innings. Jaiswal achieved this feat against England in March this year. 

The left-handed opening batter also becomes the only third Indian batsman to register a ton on the maiden appearance on Australian soil.

Jaiswal is now positioned 4th in the global list of players with the most test runs after 15 tests, and he has entered a club of global legends of cricket.

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Most runs after the first 15 tests

2115 - Don Bradman

1618 - Mark Taylor

1576 - Everton Weekes

1568 - Yashasvi Jaiswal

1560 - Michael Hussey

A record-breaking list of cricketing giants! 🤩

Here's a look at the players who've scored the most runs after their first 15 Tests,

Don Bradman- 2115 runs
Mark Taylor- 1618 runs
Everton Weekes- 1576 runs
Yashasvi Jaiswal- 1568 runs
Michael Hussey- 1560 runs pic.twitter.com/VdhJeiVF9W

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) November 24, 2024