Most double centuries in Test cricket: Know the top 10 list

Test cricket has a rich history of 145 years and with it, comes a long list of spectacular individual performances by some of the greatest cricketers. We all know Brian Lara has the highest individual score of 400* to his name or Muttiah Muralitharan has the most wickets or Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for most hundreds and most runs in the format. But do you know who has scored the most double centuries in Test cricket history? The answer is Australian legend Don Bradman.

Scoring double hundreds in Test cricket requires a combination of decent batting pitches, immense skill level and concentration. It is no surprise that over 145 years, there have been only 83 batters to have scored multiple double centuries in men’s Test cricket. Here we are going to talk about the top 10 players with the most double centuries to their name in Test cricket.

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Most double centuries in test cricket: Top 10 list

Don Bradman – 12

When we mention Don Bradman, the first thing that pops up in our mind is 96.94 – that is his mind-boggling average in Test cricket. Arguably the greatest batter to have played the game, Don Bradman holds the record for the most no. of double hundreds in the red-ball format. The Australia great scored 12 Test double tons in his career that spanned for 20 years and was marred by the world war. 

Bradman’s record in the Test format is enviable, having scored 6996 runs in 52 matches played in his career. The former Australian captain registered 29 hundreds and 13 fifties in his playing career. His first Test double ton came in 1930 against England at Lord’s while his last was against India in 1948.  

Kumar Sangakkara – 11 

Kumar Sangakkara, arguably the greatest player to play cricket for Sri Lanka, is second on this list with 11 Test double tons. The former Sri Lanka captain has an incredible record in Test cricket, with 12400 runs from 134 matches at an average of 57.40. Sangakkara has scored 38 hundreds and 52 fifties in the Test format. 

The Sri Lankan batsman scored his first double century in 2002 against Pakistan at Lahore. Three of his 12 Test double tons came against Bangladesh, and two each against Pakistan and South Africa. Sangakkara’s last double century came in 2015 against New Zealand at Wellington. 

Brian Lara – 9 

The prince of Trinidad Brian Lara is third on this list of the players with most double hundreds in the longer format. In 131 matches played, Lara scored 11953 runs at an average of 52.88, including 34 hundreds and 48 fifties. Out of those 34 tons, he was able to convert 9 into double hundreds. 

Lara’s first double century came in the third year of their international career against Australia in Sydney. He enjoyed playing against Australia, scoring two more double hundreds against them. His last double hundred was against Pakistan at Multan in his penultimate Test. As a captain of the West Indies team, Lara scored five double hundreds. 

Wally Hammond – 7 

The former England captain Wally Hammond played in the same era as Don Bradman and is known as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He played 85 Tests from 1927 to 1947 and amassed 7249 runs at an average of 58.45, with 22 hundreds and 24 fifties. Hammond managed to covert 7 of those hundreds into double centuries. 

Wally Hammond scored his first double ton in his 10th Test at Sydney against Australia. He scored three more against the Aussies, two against New Zealand and one against India. Hammond remains the only batsman to score double hundreds in two consecutive Tests on two different occasions. 

Virat Kohli – 7

One of the all-time best batsmen from India, Virat Kohli dominated the cricket world for years and set countless records. He sits fifth on this list with 7 double hundreds – same as Hammond but in more Tests. Kohli has played 101 Tests in his career so far, scoring 8043 runs at an average of 49.95, with 27 hundreds and 28 fifties. 

It took Kohli five years after his Test debut to register his first double century, which came in 2016 against West Indies away from home. In the next 15 months, Kohli scored five double hundreds in Test cricket. He holds a unique record of scoring four double tons in four consecutive series. Virat Kohli holds another record, being the player with most double hundreds as a captain, with all 7 of his double hundreds coming when he was the Indian captain. 

Mahela Jayawardene – 7 

The Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene was amongst the most prolific run-scorers of his time. He occupies sixth place on this list with 7 double hundreds in 149 Tests played in his career. Jayawardene 11814 runs at an average of 49.85, with 34 centuries and 50 half-centuries. His first Test double ton came against India at Colombo in 1999 while his seventh double-century came against Bangladesh in 2014. 

Marvan Atapattu – 6

Marvan Atapattu is seventh on the list of the batsmen with most double hundreds in Test cricket. The former Sri Lanka captain scored 6 double hundreds in 90 matches. He wasn’t the most prolific run-getter, averaging only 39 for 5502 runs but he could score big. Atapattu scored 16 hundreds and 17 fifties in his career. Three of his six double hundreds came against Zimbabwe, one each against England, Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

Virender Sehwag – 6

Virender Sehwag, one of the most ruthless batsmen in the history of the format, has destroyed bowling attacks for fun. He sits in eighth place with 6 double hundreds to his credit in 104 matches played. He was able to convert two of those six into triple centuries. Sehwag 8586 runs in his Test career at an average of 49.35. The Nawab of Najafgarh smashed 23 hundreds and 32 fifties in his 13-yr career. 

Javed Miandad – 6 

Javed Miandad, the greatest batsman Pakistan ever produced, annihilated several bowling attacks in his playing days. The former captain has 6 double centuries to his name in the Test format from 124 matches. Miandad amassed 8832 runs in his career at an average of 52.57. He scored 23 hundreds and 43 fifties for Pakistan in the Test arena. Miandad brought up his maiden double ton only in his third innings at Test level when he scored 206 against New Zealand at Karachi. 

Younis Khan – 6

Younis Khan was one of the most consistent batsmen in the 2000s and someone who often produced mega innings. He scored 6 double centuries in his career of 118 Tests. Younis Khan amassed 10099 runs in his career at an average of 52.05. He registered 33 hundreds and 34 fifties in Test cricket. His maiden Test double ton came against India at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in 2005 while his 6th double century was against England at the Oval, London in 2016. 

Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar are the other two batsmen with 6 Test double centuries each, who scored those in 168 and 200 Tests, respectively. 

FAQs

What is the most double centuries in test cricket by an Indian batsman?

Virat Kohli holds the record for the most double hundreds in Test cricket by an India batter with 7 innings of 200+ runs. 

Who has scored the most double centuries in Test cricket as captain?

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli tops the chart for the most double hundreds in Test cricket as captain with 7 double tons. Brian Lara is second in the list with 5 double centuries.

Who has scored 4 consecutive double centuries in Test cricket?

Virat Kohli is the only batter to score four double centuries in four consecutive Test series.

Who scored the first double century in Test cricket?

Billy Murdoch was the first player to score a double century in Test cricket. The then Australia captain achieved the feat in 1884, in Test no. 16.