Top 10 Highest Test Scores by a Batsman | Virat Kohli Highest Score in Test
Discover the top 10 highest individual scores in Test cricket history. See Virat Kohli’s highest score in Test, Indian records, and historic test match performances.
🏆 Introduction: Test Cricket & Legendary Scores
Test cricket is where legends are made. Unlike the shorter formats, it tests a player’s endurance, technique, and mental strength. Over the decades, some batsmen have made history with marathon innings that rewrote the record books. In this post, brought to you by bansalfleet.com, we present the Top 10 Highest Individual Test Scores by a Batsman — along with legendary knocks by Indian players like Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, and Shubman Gill.
Test cricket is more than just a format — it’s a stage where grit, skill, and patience combine to create timeless cricketing legends. Unlike T20s or ODIs where aggression often overshadows technique, Test matches demand a rare blend of mental toughness, physical endurance, and pure cricketing class. That’s why the highest test scores ever recorded are considered sacred records in the sport.
A five-day Test match isn’t just about runs or wickets; it’s a story of momentum shifts, pressure scenarios, and moments that define careers. While many players shine in shorter formats, only a few have conquered the challenges of Test cricket and etched their names into history by scoring massive individual totals.
In the rich history of the sport, we’ve seen several batting performances that didn’t just win games — they rewrote record books. These knocks aren’t accidental. They are the result of hours of focus, extraordinary technique, and unmatched willpower to stay at the crease session after session. They happen once in a generation — and fans never forget them.
Take Brian Lara, for example. His unbeaten 400 runs* against England remains the highest test score by a batsman in the history of cricket. It was more than just a statistical milestone — it was a masterclass in temperament and timing. Similarly, Matthew Hayden’s 380, Mahela Jayawardene’s 374, and Virender Sehwag’s 319 stand as iconic innings that changed how we look at long-format batting.
For India, Test cricket has been a breeding ground for world-class batters. Names like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, and Rahul Dravid have made their marks with innings that inspired millions. More recently, young stars like Shubman Gill have shown that the next generation is ready to carry that legacy forward.
Let’s talk about Virat Kohli’s highest test score — a commanding 254 not out* against South Africa in 2019. Not only was this a display of dominance and patience, but it also set a benchmark for captaincy performance, making it the highest test score by an Indian captain. Kohli’s journey in Test cricket reflects consistency, hunger for big runs, and adaptability across conditions — especially in tough SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia).
📊 Top 10 Highest Individual Test Scores (All-Time)
| Rank | Player | Score | Country | Opponent | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian Lara | 400* | West Indies | England | St John’s | 2004 |
| 2 | Matthew Hayden | 380 | Australia | Zimbabwe | Perth | 2003 |
| 3 | Brian Lara | 375 | West Indies | England | Antigua | 1994 |
| 4 | Mahela Jayawardene | 374 | Sri Lanka | South Africa | Colombo | 2006 |
| 5 | Garry Sobers | 365* | West Indies | Pakistan | Kingston | 1958 |
| 6 | Len Hutton | 364 | England | Australia | The Oval | 1938 |
| 7 | Sanath Jayasuriya | 340 | Sri Lanka | India | Colombo | 1997 |
| 8 | Hanif Mohammad | 337 | Pakistan | West Indies | Bridgetown | 1958 |
| 9 | Wally Hammond | 336* | England | New Zealand | Auckland | 1933 |
| 10 | David Warner | 335* | Australia | Pakistan | Adelaide | 2019 |
🇮🇳 Highest Test Scores by Indian Batsmen
🥇 1. Virender Sehwag – 319 (vs South Africa, 2008)
Sehwag’s 319 in Chennai is the highest individual score in Test by an Indian. His fearless batting and rapid scoring made it one of the fastest triple centuries in history.
🥈 2. Virat Kohli – 254* (vs South Africa, 2019)
This was not only Virat Kohli’s highest score in Test but also the highest score by an Indian Test captain. His innings displayed pure class, timing, and control.
🥉 3. Sachin Tendulkar – 248* (vs Bangladesh, 2004)
The Master Blaster’s highest score came in Dhaka, showcasing his ability to bat long with precision.
⭐ 4. Shubman Gill – 208 (vs New Zealand, 2023)
The rising star Shubman Gill’s first double century shows that the future of Indian Test batting is in good hands.
🌍 SENA Countries: The Real Test for Batsmen
SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries are considered the toughest places to bat. While many batsmen have scored big at home, players like Joe Root and Virat Kohli have dominated in these conditions too.
🏏 India vs England Test Series – What’s New?
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Then there’s Virender Sehwag, whose fearless batting style brought a T20-like aggression into Tests. His 319 against South Africa is still the highest individual test score by an Indian — and one of the fastest triple centuries in cricket history. Sehwag wasn’t just a batsman — he was a statement.
And who can forget Sachin Tendulkar, the legend of Indian cricket? His 248 against Bangladesh* may have come against a weaker bowling attack, but it showcased classic Test batting — full of discipline, elegance, and sheer volume of runs. He faced over 370 balls, batted more than 10 hours, and didn’t give his wicket away even once — a master of concentration.
Today, the likes of Shubman Gill are taking this tradition forward. His double century in Tests proves that India is building a team that respects the legacy of Test cricket while evolving with modern-day expectations.
In this detailed post (powered by bansalfleet.com), we will take you through the top 10 highest individual test scores by a batsman — from Brian Lara’s unbeaten 400 to India’s greatest batting feats. Whether you’re a stat geek, a cricket fan, or just someone who admires extraordinary human achievement, you’ll enjoy diving into this list of record-breaking knocks.
Want to see the full list? Check the official stats on ESPN Cricinfo.
🔚 Conclusion: Test Cricket’s Evergreen Legacy
The highest scores in Test cricket are not just numbers; they are stories of resilience, technique, and unmatched skill. From Brian Lara’s iconic 400* to Sehwag’s blazing 319 and Kohli’s calculated 254*, these innings represent the best of the best.