
When we talk about cricket rivalries that are pure vintage, India vs England in Tests is right up there. It’s not just cricket – it’s legacy, passion, and history rolled into one. Over the decades, many legends have locked horns in whites and left their mark on this iconic face-off. But when it comes to who scored the most runs in India vs England Test matches, one man sits at the top of this elite list.
Table of Contents
Most runs for England vs India in Tests
Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100 | 50 |
JE Root (ENG) | 2012-2024 | 30 | 55 | 6 | 2846 | 218 | 58.08 | 5171 | 55.03 | 10 | 11 |
SR Tendulkar (IND) | 1990-2012 | 32 | 53 | 4 | 2535 | 193 | 51.73 | 4855 | 52.21 | 7 | 13 |
SM Gavaskar (IND) | 1971-1986 | 38 | 67 | 2 | 2483 | 221 | 38.2 | 6245 | 39.75 | 4 | 16 |
AN Cook (ENG) | 2006-2018 | 30 | 54 | 3 | 2431 | 294 | 47.66 | 5374 | 45.23 | 7 | 9 |
V Kohli (IND) | 2012-2022 | 28 | 50 | 3 | 1991 | 235 | 42.36 | 3824 | 52.06 | 5 | 9 |
R Dravid (IND) | 1996-2011 | 21 | 37 | 5 | 1950 | 217 | 60.93 | 4715 | 41.35 | 7 | 8 |
GR Viswanath (IND) | 1971-1982 | 30 | 54 | 4 | 1880 | 222 | 37.6 | 4544 | 41.37 | 4 | 12 |
CA Pujara (IND) | 2012-2022 | 27 | 49 | 4 | 1778 | 206* | 39.51 | 4090 | 43.47 | 5 | 7 |
GA Gooch (ENG) | 1979-1993 | 19 | 33 | 2 | 1725 | 333 | 55.64 | 3221 | 53.55 | 5 | 8 |
DB Vengsarkar (IND) | 1977-1990 | 26 | 43 | 6 | 1589 | 157 | 42.94 | 3605 | 44.07 | 5 | 6 |
Let’s break it down like your favorite Reels – stat by stat, icon by icon, but with a vibe that makes you want to share this with your squad! 😎👇
🏆 The King of Runs – Joe Root (England)
Matches: 30 | Innings: 55 | Runs: 2846 | Average: 58.08 | 100s: 10
No surprises here! Joe Root is the undisputed king of the IND vs ENG Test rivalry. From 2012 to 2024, he’s been a run-machine. With a sublime average of 58.08 and 10 centuries, Root has outclassed every Indian bowler who dared to challenge him. His highest score of 218 came in Chennai in 2021 – a knock that was pure class on a turning track.


Whether it’s spinning pitches or swinging Dukes, Root’s technique and temperament have been flawless. He’s got 306 boundaries to his name in this battle – enough to fill up a season’s highlight reel!
The Master Blaster – Sachin Tendulkar
Matches: 32 | Innings: 53 | Runs: 2535 | Average: 51.73 | 100s: 7
You didn’t think a list of top scorers would be complete without Sachin Tendulkar, did you? The Little Master dominated England over two decades – whether it was swinging in Manchester or spinning in Mumbai.



He scored a majestic 193 at Headingley and a gritty 103 in Chennai*, post the 26/11 attacks – innings that weren’t just about runs but pure emotion. With 13 fifties and 357 boundaries, Sachin painted the pitch like a maestro.
🕶️ Old School Legend – Sunil Gavaskar
Matches: 38 | Innings: 67 | Runs: 2483 | Average: 38.20 | 100s: 4
Before helmets were cool and elbow guards were a thing, Sunil Gavaskar was grinding English bowlers with textbook defense. He may not have the flashy SR like Root or Kohli, but Gavaskar’s grit was unmatched. That 221 at The Oval in 1979 is still one of India’s best fourth-innings knocks.


🧠 The Wall – Rahul Dravid
Matches: 21 | Innings: 37 | Runs: 1950 | Average: 60.93 | 100s: 7
Let’s hear it for the man who made defensive batting an art – Rahul Dravid. The Wall averaged an insane 60.93 against England and piled up nearly 2000 runs in just 21 Tests! That 217 at The Oval in 2002? Chef’s kiss. 🍽️
Dravid was the kind of guy who batted like he had an exam the next day – focused, calm, and determined.
💪 Grit & Grind – Virat Kohli
Matches: 28 | Innings: 50 | Runs: 1991 | Average: 42.36 | 100s: 5
If passion had a face, it would be Virat Kohli. His 235 in Mumbai in 2016 was a masterclass in domination. He wasn’t just scoring – he was roaring! With 5 tons and 9 fifties, Kohli turned up the heat every time he wore the whites against England.
🧤 Cookie Monster – Alastair Cook (England)
Matches: 30 | Innings: 54 | Runs: 2431 | Average: 47.66 | 100s: 7
Sir Alastair Cook, England’s most prolific opener, had a calmness about him that could frustrate any bowler. His mammoth 294 at Edgbaston in 2011 made sure India had zero chance. With 5374 balls faced, Cook pretty much lived on the pitch.
💥 Bonus Legends You Can’t Ignore
- Gundappa Viswanath (IND) – Smooth wrists, 1880 runs, and an iconic 222.
- Cheteshwar Pujara (IND) – 1778 runs of pure grind. That 206* was a masterclass in patience.
- Graham Gooch (ENG) – Brutal 333 at Lord’s in 1990. 1725 runs with a strike rate that punched back.
- Dilip Vengsarkar (IND) – The man with the wristy elegance. 1589 runs and some crucial knocks in the 80s.
📊 Quick Comparison – Top 3 Run Scorers
Player | Matches | Runs | Avg | 100s | Highest |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joe Root | 30 | 2846 | 58.08 | 10 | 218 |
Sachin Tendulkar | 32 | 2535 | 51.73 | 7 | 193 |
Sunil Gavaskar | 38 | 2483 | 38.20 | 4 | 221 |
Root’s domination, Sachin’s emotion, Gavaskar’s foundation – the holy trinity of the IND-ENG Test battles. 💯
🔥 Why This Rivalry Hits Different
- It’s not just about runs – it’s about proving your class in alien conditions.
- It’s India’s spinners vs England’s swing kings.
- It’s Lord’s and Eden Gardens. It’s tea breaks and drama.
The stats are epic, but the stories behind them? Even better.
From the gritty days of Test whites and red balls to the DRS era, the battle between India and England has been the ultimate test of character and class. And when it comes to “most runs in India vs England Test”, we now know who wears the crown!
🎯 Final Word
So next time someone debates the fiercest cricketing duels, pull out this list and watch jaws drop. Because runs may be just numbers, but in IND vs ENG Tests – they’re legends written in leather and willow.
*till May 2025
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❓ FAQs – Most Runs in India vs England Test
Who has scored the most runs in India vs England Test matches?
👉 Joe Root holds the record for the most runs in India vs England Test matches with 2846 runs in 30 matches at an average of 58.08.
Which Indian player has the most runs against England in Test cricket?
👉 Sachin Tendulkar is the top Indian scorer in India vs England Test matches, with 2535 runs in 32 Tests, including 7 centuries.
How many runs has Virat Kohli scored against England in Tests?
👉 Virat Kohli has scored 1991 runs in 28 Test matches vs England, with 5 centuries, including a career-best 235 in Mumbai (2016).
Who is the highest-scoring English batsman in India vs England Test history?
👉 Joe Root is the highest-scoring English batter with 2846 runs, followed by Alastair Cook with 2431 runs in India vs England Test encounters.
What is the highest individual score in India vs England Test matches?
👉 Graham Gooch holds the highest individual score in India vs England Test history with 333 runs at Lord’s in 1990.
How many Indian batsmen have scored 200+ runs in an innings against England in Tests?
👉 Five Indian batsmen have scored double centuries vs England: *Virat Kohli (235), Rahul Dravid (217), Sunil Gavaskar (221), Gundappa Viswanath (222), and Cheteshwar Pujara (206)**.
Is Joe Root the best Test batsman against India?
👉 Statistically, yes. Joe Root is the top run-scorer in India vs England Tests, with consistent performances both at home and in India, making him the most successful Test batter against India to date.
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