Test cricket, being the purest and best format of the game, holds a special place in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts. Any achievement in this format is always significant. Among the many records in Test cricket, the most prestigious are those related to run-scoring and centuries.
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs and centuries in Test cricket. His illustrious career spanned from 1989 to 2013, during which he amassed a staggering 15,921 runs in 200 Test matches.
Alongside his record for the most runs, Tendulkar also boasts the highest number of Test centuries, with 51 to his name. On that note, take a look at a list of the top 10 batsmen with the highest number of centuries in Test cricket.
10 Players with Most hundred in Test Cricket
| Player | Span | Mat | Runs | HS | Avg | 100 | 50 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1989-2013 | 200 | 15921 | 248* | 53.78 | 51 | 68 |
| Jacques Kallis | 1995-2013 | 166 | 13289 | 224 | 55.37 | 45 | 58 |
| Ricky Ponting | 1995-2012 | 168 | 13378 | 257 | 51.85 | 41 | 62 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 2000-2015 | 134 | 12400 | 319 | 57.40 | 38 | 52 |
| Rahul Dravid | 1996-2012 | 164 | 13288 | 270 | 52.31 | 36 | 63 |
| Younis Khan | 2000-2017 | 118 | 10099 | 313 | 52.05 | 34 | 33 |
| Sunil Gavaskar | 1971-1987 | 125 | 10122 | 236* | 51.12 | 34 | 45 |
| Brian Lara | 1990-2006 | 131 | 11953 | 400* | 52.88 | 34 | 48 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | 1997-2014 | 149 | 11814 | 374 | 49.84 | 34 | 50 |
| Alastair Cook | 2006-2018 | 161 | 12472 | 294 | 45.35 | 33 | 57 |
1. Sachin Tendulkar – 51 Centuries
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most centuries in Test cricket with an astonishing 51 centuries. Considered among the greatest of all time, Tendulkar made his debut for India at the tender age of 16 in 1989 against Pakistan. Over a career spanning 24 years, he played 200 Test matches and accumulated 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78, with a highest score of 248*.
Tendulkar’s batting was characterized by his impeccable technique, quick reflexes, and a wide array of strokes, making him a nightmare for bowlers worldwide. His career highlights include the famous ‘Desert Storm’ innings in Sharjah, his match-winning century in Chennai against England in 2008, and his double century against Australia in Sydney in 2004.
Read More: Who Scorers Most Runs in Test Cricket
2. Jacques Kallis – 45 Centuries
Jacques Kallis, one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders, scored 45 centuries during his career from 1995 to 2013, which are the second most hundreds in Test cricket. Kallis amassed 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37 in 166 Test matches.
His highest score was 224. Kallis is the only cricketer in the world to score more than 10,000 runs and take over 250 wickets in both ODI and Test cricket. He won 23 Man-of-the-Match awards, the most by any player in Test history. Kallis retired from all forms of international cricket on 30 July 2014.
3. Ricky Ponting – 41 Centuries
Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain, ranks third with 41 Test centuries. Ponting’s career spanned from 1995 to 2012. He played 168 Test matches, scoring 13,378 runs at an average of 51.85, with a highest score of 257.
Australia’s leading run-scorer in Test and ODI cricket, Ponting was known for his aggressive batting style and exceptional leadership skills. Under his captaincy, Australia dominated world cricket, winning two ICC Cricket World Cups.
4. Kumar Sangakkara – 38 Centuries
Kumar Sangakkara scored the fourth most centuries in Test cricket with 38 centuries in a career that lasted from 2000 to 2015. Sangakkara played 134 Test matches and accumulated 12,400 runs at an average of 57.40, with a highest score of 319.
His graceful batting and impeccable timing were a treat to watch. He was not only a prolific run-scorer but also an exceptional wicket-keeper. In all three forms of international cricket combined, Sangakkara is the second-highest run-scorer, having scored a total of 28,016 including 63 centuries. He retired in 2015 after playing nearly 500 games across formats.
5. Rahul Dravid – 36 Centuries
Rahul Dravid, one of the greatest Indian cricketers and current coach of the Indian Cricket Team, scored 36 Test centuries for India between 1996 and 2012. During his career Dravid played 164 Test matches, scoring 13,288 runs at an average of 52.31, with a highest score of 270.
Dravid’s batting was defined by his exceptional technique and unyielding concentration. He was the cornerstone of India’s batting lineup, often coming through in challenging situations. Memorable performances include his marathon innings of 270 against Pakistan in 2004 and his match-winning double century against Australia in Adelaide in 2003.
6. Younis Khan – 34 Centuries
Younis Khan, Pakistan’s highest run scorer in whites, amassed 34 Test centuries from 2000 to 2017. He played 118 Test matches, scoring 10,099 runs at an average of 52.05, with a highest score of 313.
Interestingly, he is the only Test cricketer ever to have scored a century in all 11 countries that have hosted Test matches. He retired from all forms of international cricket in May 2017.
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7. Sunil Gavaskar – 34 Centuries
Sunil Gavaskar, one of India’s greatest opening batsmen, scored 34 Test centuries between 1971 and 1987. Born on July 10, 1949, in Mumbai, Gavaskar played 125 Test matches and accumulated 10,122 runs at an average of 51.12, with a highest score of 236*.
His centuries against the formidable West Indies attack in the 1970s and 1980s are legendary. Gavaskar retired in 1987 with several records under his belt, some of which have now been broken.
8. Brian Lara – 34 Centuries
Brian Lara, the West Indian batting maestro, also scored 34 Test centuries during his career from 1990 to 2006. Lara played 131 Test matches, scoring 11,953 runs at an average of 52.88, with a highest score of 400*.
Lara was known for his flamboyant style and ability to score big runs. His world record innings of 400* against England in 2004 and his 375 against the same opposition in 1994 are etched in cricket history. Lara’s ability to dominate bowlers and his flair for the dramatic made him one of the most exciting batsmen to watch.
9. Mahela Jayawardene – 34 Centuries
Mahela Jayawardene scored 34 Test centuries between 1997 and 2014. He played 149 Test matches, scoring 11,814 runs at an average of 49.84, with a highest score of 374. Jayawardene’s elegance and timing were the hallmarks of his batting.
His record partnership with Kumar Sangakkara of 624 runs against South Africa in 2006 and his highest score of 374 against South Africa are highlights of his career.
10. Alastair Cook – 33 Centuries
Alastair Cook, England’s prolific opener, scored 33 Test centuries from 2006 to 2018. Cook played 161 Test matches, scoring 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35, with a highest score of 294.
This makes him the leading run-scorer in Test matches for England. Cook retired from Test cricket in September 2018 but continued to play in English domestic cricket until 2023.
Conclusion
While any achievement in any format of cricket is significant, being among the highest run-scorers and century-makers in Test cricket holds even greater significance because it reflects a player’s ability to excel in the most demanding and rigorous format of the game.
FAQs about Most Centuries in Test Cricket
Q) Which cricketer has scored the most centuries in Test cricket?
A) Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most centuries in Test cricket. Over a career that spanned from 1989 to 2013, Tendulkar scored an impressive 51 Test centuries.
Q) Who holds the record for most double centuries in Test cricket?
A) The record for the most double centuries in Test cricket is held by Sir Don Bradman of Australia. Bradman, often regarded as the greatest batsman of all time, scored 12 double centuries in just 52 Test matches.
Q) How many centuries did Rahul Dravid score in his Test career?
A) Rahul Dravid scored 36 centuries in his Test career. Dravid played 164 Test matches for India between 1996 and 2012, amassing 13,288 runs at an average of 52.31. His highest Test score was 270.
