When it comes to the most centuries in Test cricket, only a few legendary batters have managed to dominate the format with consistent brilliance. Test cricket is known as the ultimate test of a player’s patience, concentration, and skill, making each century a true mark of excellence.
Over the decades, several icons of the game have not only adapted to the demands of the longest format. But among these greats, who stands at the very top? Who has scored the highest number of Test centuries in cricket history? Let’s explore the list and celebrate the players who have left an indelible mark with their bat.
Who Has the Most Centuries in Test History?
Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most centuries in Test cricket history, with 51 Test hundreds to his name. Widely regarded as the “God of Cricket”, the Indian maestro played 200 Test matches with 15921 runs between 1989 and 2013. No other player in the history of the game has reached the milestone of 50 hundreds.
Not only does he have the most Test centuries, but the master blaster also holds the records for the most runs in Test history and in One Day Internationals. Despite the rigorous standards of cricket and the uniformity of the playing surfaces, Tendulkar continues to establish remarkable records that pose a challenge to the emerging generation of players.
Who Can Break the Record of Sachin Tendulkar?
All players in the top 10 list of most Test centuries are retired, and no active batter is even close to Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic 51 hundreds. With the current frequency of Test matches and rising focus on shorter formats, his record looks untouchable for at least another decade, if not longer.
Top 10 Highest Test Centuries in Cricket
| Player | Country | Matches | Centuries | Runs |
| Sachin Tendulkar | India | 200 | 51 | 15,921 |
| Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 166 | 45 | 13,289 |
| Ricky Ponting | Australia | 168 | 41 | 13,378 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | Sri Lanka | 134 | 38 | 12,400 |
| Rahul Dravid | India | 164 | 36 | 13,288 |
| Younis Khan | Pakistan | 118 | 34 | 10,099 |
| Sunil Gavaskar | India | 125 | 34 | 10,122 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka | 149 | 34 | 11,814 |
| Brian Lara | West Indies | 131 | 34 | 11,953 |
| Steve Smith | Australia | 105* | 32 | 9,514* |
Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar played 200 Test matches for India, scoring 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78. He hit 51 centuries and 68 fifties, with a highest score of 248 not out. Tendulkar faced over 29,000 deliveries and remains the only cricketer to cross 15,000 Test runs.
Jacques Kallis
The miraculous all-rounder Jacques Kallis represented South Africa in 166 Tests, amassing 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37. He scored the 2nd most centuries in test cricket (45) and 58 half-centuries, with a best score of 224. Kallis also took 292 wickets, making him one of the most successful all-rounders in Test history.
Rickey Ponting
The greatest kangaroo captain, Ricky Ponting, played 168 Tests for Australia, scoring 13,378 runs at an average of 51.85. He has a record for the highest test centuries (41) as an Australian player and 62 fifties, with a highest score of 257. Ponting captained in 77 Tests and remains Australia’s second-highest run-scorer after Allan Border.
Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara featured in 134 Tests for Sri Lanka, scoring 12,400 runs at an average of 57.40. He made 38 centuries and 52 fifties, including a top score of 319. Sangakkara also kept wickets in 48 Tests and played 16 double hundreds in his career.
Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid, widely known as the wall, played 164 Tests for India, making 13,288 runs at an average of 52.31. He struck 36 centuries and 63 fifties, with a best of 270. Dravid faced the most balls in Test history, over 31,000, and was known for his incredible defensive technique.
Younis Khan
Younis Khan appeared in 118 Tests, scored 10,099 runs at an average of 52.05. He recorded most centuries in test history (34) for Pakistan and 33 half-centuries, with a highest score of 313. Younis remains the only Pakistani batter to cross 10,000 runs in Test cricket.
Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar played 125 Tests for India, scoring 10,122 runs at an average of 51.12. He hit 34 centuries and 45 fifties, with a top score of 236 not out. Gavaskar was the first player to score 10,000 Test runs and once held the record for most hundreds.
Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene played 149 Tests for Sri Lanka, scoring 11,814 runs at an average of 49.84. He scored 34 centuries and 50 fifties, with a highest individual score of 374. Jayawardene often excelled in home conditions and was a key part of Sri Lanka’s batting unit.
Brian Lara
Brian Lara featured in 131 Tests for West Indies, amassing 11,953 runs at an average of 52.88. He made 34 centuries and 48 fifties. Lara holds the record for the highest individual Test score—400 not out—and also the highest first-class score of 501 not out.
Steve Smith
Steve Smith is 2nd Australian player who made it to the list of the top 10 highest centuries in test cricket. He has played 109 Tests for Australia, scoring 9,514 runs at an average of 58.01. He has 32 centuries and 39 fifties, with a highest score of 239. Smith remains an active player and is the top run-scorer in Tests among current cricketers.
