• Home
  • Top Most
  • Most Runs For India In A Test Match Ft Shubman Gill Virender Sehwag

Most Runs For India In A Test Match Ft. Shubman Gill, Virender Sehwag

Arnav Chopra

Sehwag, Ganguly, Gill, Laxman, Gavaskar (Source: @CricketopiaCom/X.com, @RCBTweets/X.com, @ICC/X.com)Sehwag, Ganguly, Gill, Laxman, Gavaskar (Source: @CricketopiaCom/X.com, @RCBTweets/X.com, @ICC/X.com)

There have been many instances of players scoring plenty of runs in a Test match. In the long history of Indian Test cricket, various successful batters have done a tremendous job putting up runs in both innings of a red-ball match.

Looking at the past, there have been a handful of batters who have played long, marathon innings with the bat in the first innings and came back stronger in the second, as well, to put up another massive score. Therefore, in this article, we will have a look at players who have scored the most runs for India in a Test match.

5. Virender Sehwag - 319 Runs vs South Africa, Chennai, 2008

At number five on this list is the Nawab of Najafgarh, former dynamic Indian opener Virender Sehwag. Back in the year 2008, Sehwag put on a show against South Africa in Chennai, where he played a marathon 319-run knock against the strong Proteas lineup. South Africa batted first in that game and scored 540, whereas India, in their first innings, scored a gigantic 627 on the back of Sehwag's 319, which came off 304 deliveries with 42 boundaries and five maximums.

Despite Sehwag's massive score, India could only enforce a draw, as the first match of the series ended in no one's favour. After scoring plenty of runs in the first innings, India were not needed to bat in the second as South Africa played till the end of the match, which ended in a draw. Despite all that, this match is always remembered for Sehwag's turbulent knock that shook the visitors.

4. Sourav Ganguly - 330 Runs vs Pakistan, Bengaluru, 2007

At number four on this list is former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly, who, against Pakistan in their 2007 match, did an incredible job in Bengaluru. Ganguly, who was quite aggressive with the bat, batted at the fourth position against the strong Pakistani side and put up a mammoth 239 off 361 deliveries, where he smashed 30 boundaries and two sixes to his name and was cleaned up by Danish Kaneria but was not before India pumped 626 runs on the board.

In their first innings, Pakistan also gave a good fight, scoring 537, while India, in their second innings, came back strongly again, courtesy again of Sourav Ganguly, who this time scored 91 as India declared on 284 for the loss of six wickets. In this innings, Ganguly's 91 came off 134 deliveries as his cumulative score in this game turned out to be a gigantic 330.

3. VVS Laxman - 340 vs Australia, Kolkata, 2001

At number three on this list is India's VVS Laxman, who was incredible, especially against the formidable Australian side. In 2001, Australia toured India for a Test series, and the iconic Eden Gardens, Kolkata hosted an incredible game where VVS Laxman scored 59 in India's first innings, as they were bowled out for 171 after Australia amassed 445.

Considering India were miles behind Australia's score, they were asked to follow on, and with the help of Rahul Dravid, who scored 180 in the second innings, VVS Laxman played a daunting knock of 281 that still haunts the Aussies as India fought back strongly to put up 657 runs on the board as they declared after losing seven wickets, where Australia couldn't stand the test of time and while chasing 384 were cleaned up for 212.

This match is long written in the history of Indian Test cricket, as India came back from behind to bite the Aussies. VVS Laxman was at the forefront, with two incredible knocks, resulting in a total score of 340 in the game.

2. Sunil Gavaskar - 344 vs West Indies, Port Of Spain, 1971

Now, moving to the number two player on the list is another legendary Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar. In 1971, India toured the Caribbean to face the horror-filled West Indian bowling lineup at the Port of Spain in Trinidad. Sunil Gavaskar turned out to be the hero for the Indian side, as his grit and determination ensured India did not lose this game.

This was the fifth Test of the series, as India batted first, and on the back of Gavaskar's 124, India put up a decent 360 runs on the board. The West Indies came back strongly to smash 526. In reply, in the second innings, India scored an excellent 427, again courtesy of Gavaskar, who this time did not hold back and thumped 220, facing the fearful West Indian pace bowling lineup.

Gavaskar's marathon innings ensured India were not far away from victory. While chasing 262 in the final innings, West Indies lost their eighth wicket on 165, after which time ran out as the match ended in a draw, despite India's best efforts. Scoring runs in both innings, Gavaskar totalled 344 in this game and, at this moment, is the second-highest run scorer for India in a Test match.

1. Shubman Gill - 430 vs England, Birmingham, 2025*

Now, talking about the number one player on the list is the current Indian Test skipper, Shubman Gill. Gill, who has been in sublime form in the ongoing series against England after thumping a marvellous century in the first Test, came back even stronger in the second match to bang a gigantic, memorable 269 in the first innings of the second Test against England at Birmingham.

Gill's 269 came off 387 deliveries, as he found 30 boundaries and three maximums, taking India to a magnificent 587. Gill turned out to be the superhero for India in the first innings, while England could only manage 407 on the board in their first innings, as India got a massive lead of 180 going into the second innings. Again, in the second innings, Gill did not hold himself back, as he ensured that India kept themselves in the game with a fighting knock. 

Already ahead by 180 after the end of the first innings, Indian skipper Gill played another gritty knock, this time scoring 161. Thanks to Gill's magnificent effort, India were already ahead of England by a margin of 591 runs when the Indian captain left.

Talking about Gill's marathon knock, the right-handed batter had a cumulative score of 430 in this match, as he was caught by Shoaib Bashir off his own bowling in the second innings. With this, Gill has now outclassed all Indian players in history, as he is now India's finest-ever batter in Test cricket, having shaken the Three Lions with his resilient batting approach, which will long be remembered in India's red-ball legacy.