Written by: Ankit Yadav
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In the history of Test cricket, Brian Lara’s unbeaten 400 remains the greatest individual batting feat ever recorded. This legendary knock, made against England in 2004, still holds the record for the highest individual score in Test cricket.

Recently, Wiaan Mulder’s unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe in July 2025 has shaken up the record books, becoming one of the top 5 highest scores in Test history and the highest ever by a South African batter.

In this article, we take a closer look at the top 31 highest individual scores in Test history. We’ll break down the top 10 iconic innings, highlight Mulder’s entry into this elite list, and also explore the highest individual scores by Indian Test batters.

Highest Individual Score In Test Cricket

The pursuit of big scores has been a hallmark of Test cricket since its inception. Here’s a table showcasing the 31 highest individual scores in Test history:

PlayerScoreBallsSR4s6sTeamOpponentVenueDate
Brian Lara400*58268.72434West IndiesEnglandSt John’s10 Apr 2004
Matthew Hayden38043786.953811AustraliaZimbabwePerth09 Oct 2003
Brian Lara37553869.7045West IndiesEnglandSt John’s16 Apr 1994
Mahela Jayawardene37457265.38431Sri LankaSouth AfricaColombo (SSC)27 Jul 2006
Wiaan Mulder367*334109.88494South AfricaZimbabweQueens Sports
Club
07 Jul 2025
Garfield Sobers365*38West IndiesPakistanKingston26 Feb 1958
Len Hutton36484742.9735EnglandAustraliaThe Oval20 Aug 1938
Sanath Jayasuriya34057858.82362Sri LankaIndiaColombo (RPS)02 Aug 1997
Hanif Mohammad33724PakistanWest IndiesBridgetown17 Jan 1958
Wally Hammond336*3410EnglandNew ZealandAuckland31 Mar 1933
David Warner335*41880.14391AustraliaPakistanAdelaide29 Nov 2019
Mark Taylor334*56459.21321AustraliaPakistanPeshawar15 Oct 1998
Don Bradman33444874.5546AustraliaEnglandLeeds11 Jul 1930
Graham Gooch33348568.65433EnglandIndiaLord’s26 Jul 1990
Chris Gayle33343776.20349West IndiesSri LankaGalle15 Nov 2010
Michael Clarke329*46870.29391AustraliaIndiaSydney03 Jan 2012
Inzamam-ul-Haq32943675.45389PakistanNew ZealandLahore01 May 2002
Andy Sandham32564050.7828EnglandWest IndiesKingston03 Apr 1930
Virender Sehwag319304104.93425IndiaSouth AfricaChennai26 Mar 2008
Kumar Sangakkara31948266.18328Sri LankaBangladeshChattogram04 Feb 2014
Chris Gayle31748365.63373West IndiesSouth AfricaSt John’s29 Apr 2005
Harry Brook31732298.44293EnglandPakistanMultan07 Oct 2024
Younis Khan31356855.10274PakistanSri LankaKarachi21 Feb 2009
Hashim Amla311*52958.7935South AfricaEnglandThe Oval19 Jul 2012
Bob Simpson31174341.85231AustraliaEnglandManchester23 Jul 1964
John Edrich310*45068.88525EnglandNew ZealandLeeds08 Jul 1965
Virender Sehwag30937582.40396IndiaPakistanMultan28 Mar 2004
Ross Cowper30758952.1220AustraliaEnglandMelbourne11 Feb 1966
Don Bradman30447364.27432AustraliaEnglandLeeds20 Jul 1934
Karun Nair303*38179.52324IndiaEnglandChennai16 Dec 2016
Azhar Ali302*46964.39232PakistanWest IndiesDubai (DICS)13 Oct 2016

Now, let’s take a closer look at the top 11 innings that have defined Test batting excellence:

1. Brian Lara (400* vs England, 2004)

Brian Lara
Source: IndiaToday

Brian Lara’s unbeaten 400 against England in Antigua is the stuff of legend. Over 778 minutes and 582 balls, Lara crafted a masterpiece, hitting 43 fours and 4 sixes. This innings not only broke Matthew Hayden’s then-record of 380 but also made Lara the first and only player to score 400 in a Test inning.

2. Matthew Hayden (380 vs Zimbabwe, 2003)

Matthew Hayden
Source: YouTube

Hayden’s brutal 380 against Zimbabwe in Perth was a display of sheer dominance. His innings lasted 622 minutes and included 38 fours and 11 sixes. Hayden’s aggressive approach set a new benchmark for opening batsmen in Test cricket.

3. Brian Lara (375 vs England, 1994)

Brian Lara
Source: ESPNcricinfo

A decade before his 400*, Lara announced himself on the world stage with a magnificent 375 against England, also in Antigua. This innings, featuring 45 fours, broke Sir Garfield Sobers’ long-standing record of 365*.

4. Mahela Jayawardene (374 vs South Africa, 2006)

Mahela Jayawardene
Source: CricketMash

Jayawardene’s 374 against South Africa in Colombo was a masterclass in concentration and skill. His innings spanned 752 minutes and included 43 boundaries, showcasing his ability to play long, match-defining knocks.

5. Wiaan Mulder (367* vs Zimbabwe, 2025)

Wiaan Mulder Scored 300
Source: NDTV Sports

Wiaan Mulder delivered a historic performance in the second Test against Zimbabwe, reaching an unbeaten 367 by lunch on Day 2. The South African skipper smashed records with ease, becoming the fastest South African to a triple century and surpassing Hashim Amla’s previous national best. His powerful strokeplay and steady mindset helped him climb to fifth on the all-time highest Test scores list. He was just 33 runs away from breaking Brian Lara’s iconic 400*, but he declared the innings in respect to Lara’s legendary score.

6. Garfield Sobers (365* vs Pakistan, 1958)

Garfield Sobers
Source: ESPNcricinfo

Sir Garfield Sobers’ unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in Kingston held the record for the highest individual score for 36 years. This innings, which included 38 boundaries, cemented Sobers’ status as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history.

7. Len Hutton (364 vs Australia, 1938)

Len Hutton
Source: ESPNcricinfo

Hutton’s 364 against Australia at The Oval was a marathon effort lasting 797 minutes. His innings, which included 35 fours, stood as the highest individual score in Test cricket for two decades.

8. Sanath Jayasuriya (340 vs India, 1997)

Sanath Jayasuriya
Source: Twitter (X)

Jayasuriya’s explosive 340 against India in Colombo was a testament to his aggressive batting style. His innings, scored at a strike rate of 58.82, included 36 fours and 2 sixes.

9. Hanif Mohammad (337 vs West Indies, 1958)

Hanif Mohammad
Source: CricTracker

Hanif Mohammad’s 337 against the West Indies in Bridgetown was an epic display of endurance, lasting 970 minutes. This innings saved the match for Pakistan and earned Hanif the nickname “Little Master.”

10. Wally Hammond (336* vs New Zealand, 1933)

Wally Hammond
Source: Cricket Country

Hammond’s unbeaten 336 against New Zealand in Auckland was a dominant performance that included 34 fours and 10 sixes. This innings showcased Hammond’s elegance and power.

11. David Warner (335* vs Pakistan, 2019)

David Warner

Warner’s unbeaten 335 against Pakistan in Adelaide was a return to form for the Australian opener. His innings, scored at a strike rate of 80.14, included 39 fours and 1 six.

Highest Individual Scores For India In Test

Indian batsmen have also left their mark on Test cricket with some exceptional individual performances. Here’s a table of the top 10 highest individual scores by Indian batsmen in Tests:

PlayerScoreBallsSR4s6sOpponentVenueDate
Virender Sehwag319304104.93425South AfricaChennai26 Mar 2008
Virender Sehwag30937582.40396PakistanMultan28 Mar 2004
Karun Nair303*38179.52324EnglandChennai16 Dec 2016
Virender Sehwag293254115.35407Sri LankaMumbai02 Dec 2009
VVS Laxman28145262.1644AustraliaKolkata11 Mar 2001
Rahul Dravid27049554.54341PakistanRawalpindi13 Apr 2004
Virat Kohli254*33675.59332South AfricaPune10 Oct 2019
Virender Sehwag254247102.83471PakistanLahore13 Jan 2006
Sachin Tendulkar248*37965.4335BangladeshDhaka10 Dec 2004
Virat Kohli24328784.6625Sri LankaDelhi02 Dec 2017

Virender Sehwag features prominently in this list, holding the top three positions. His aggressive batting style revolutionized Test match opening, as evidenced by his 319 against South Africa in 2008, which remains the highest individual score by an Indian in Tests.

Karun Nair’s unbeaten 303 against England in 2016 is notable as it made him only the second Indian to score a triple century in Tests. VVS Laxman’s 281 against Australia in 2001 at Eden Gardens, while not the highest score, is often considered one of the greatest innings in Test history due to its context and impact on the match and series.

Related posts:

Conclusion: Brian Lara’s 400* Remains the Highest Test Score

The highest individual scores in Test cricket showcase the ultimate test of a batter’s skill, patience, and mental strength. These marathon innings aren’t just about the number of runs; they reflect grit, stamina, and the ability to dominate the world’s best bowling attacks.

From Brian Lara’s iconic 400* to recent entries like Wiaan Mulder’s 367 and Harry Brook’s 317, these knocks continue to set benchmarks and inspire generations of cricketers. For India, legends like Sehwag, Kohli, and Dravid have delivered unforgettable innings that not only made records but also changed the course of matches and series.

While new talents continue to rise and Test cricket evolves, breaking Lara’s massive 400* still remains one of the toughest challenges in the game—one that demands nothing short of greatness.

About the Author

Meet Ankit Yadav, a dedicated cricket analyst at The Cricket Panda. Growing up playing street leagues and college tournaments, Ankit's love for cricket has been a lifelong journey. With a knack for numbers and a talent for data analysis, he brings a unique perspective to cricket reporting. At The Cricket Panda, Ankit combines his passion for cricket with his expertise in data analysis to provide fans with in-depth insights and comprehensive coverage of the sport.

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