Players with the Most Double Centuries in Test Cricket

Making a double century in a test match is quite difficult because it requires resilience and skills to play a very long innings. This is the exact reason why we do not see players making double centuries regularly in test cricket. In fact, only a few players in the history of the game have scored it repeatedly. From Donald Bradman to Brian Lara, only legends of the game have scored the most double centuries in test cricket by showcasing remarkable resilience.

Nowadays, finding batters with the skill of playing long innings in test cricket is difficult. It is a trait that cannot be developed overnight; instead, it requires a lot of hard work and understanding of the game. If you are looking for a blog that can let you know about the players with the most double hundreds in test cricket, read this article in detail. It will give you a quick overview of all the legendary players who have scored the most double centuries in test cricket.

All-Time Test Cricket Double Century Records

When we talk about players who have scored the most double centuries in test cricket, we rarely find names from the modern cricket era. Apart from Joe Root and Virat Kohli, there aren’t many contemporary greats on this list, as it is largely dominated by legends of the past. Let’s take a look at them below.

Donald Bradman

Donald Bradman is widely considered the batting legend who has inspired generations through his exceptional skills. His record in test cricket is exemplary, as he scored the most double centuries in the history of the game. Interestingly, he did that in an era in which bowlers dominated test cricket. That makes his achievements even bigger, as scoring big double hundreds in that era was truly an extraordinary feat.

Metric	Test
Matches	52
Innings	80
Runs	6,996
Batting Average	99.94
200s (Double Centuries)	12
100s	29
300s	2
50s	13
Ducks	7
Highest Score	334
Not Outs	10

Kumar Sangakkara

The Sri Lankan batting legend is regarded highly in test cricket because he dominated it much like Bradman did. His record of scoring double centuries in Test cricket is second only to Bradman, making him a true legend of the modern era. Besides that, Sangakkara’s runs in test cricket also define his sheer class. By scoring 12400 runs in 134, he is non-arguably one of the best test batters the world has ever seen.

Metric	Test
Matches	134
Innings	232
Runs	12,400
Batting Average	57.40
200s (Double Centuries)	11
100s	38
300s	1
50s	52
Ducks	11
Highest Score	319
Not Outs	14

Brian Lara

Hailing from Trinidad, Brian Lara is a name that will always be remembered in test cricket. His record of scoring 400* runs against England is still unbeatable to this date. Besides achieving this feat, he is also the only WI batter who has scored the most double centuries in test cricket. He is undoubtedly the best batter West Indies has ever produced, as no player from the Caribbean ever came close to him. Lara is therefore respected not just in the West Indies, but across the world, where people have a high regard for test cricket.

Metric	Test
Matches	131
Innings	232
Runs	11,953
Batting Average	52.88
200s (Double Centuries)	9
100s	34
300s	2
50s	48
Ducks	13
Highest Score	400*
Not Outs	25

Walter Reginald Hammond

Wally Hammond was an English batter who dominated test cricket during the same era as Don Bradman. His rivalry with Bradman was iconic, as both players loved to score big runs in test matches. Hammond’s record of seven double centuries remains the most by any English batter. Because of this, he is still respected in the UK as one of their all-time greats.

Metric	Test
Matches	85
Innings	140
Runs	7,249
Batting Average	58.45
200s (Double Centuries)	7
100s	22
300s	0
50s	24
Highest Score	336*

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli may not be India’s most successful test batter overall, but his record of scoring double centuries stands above all others. Like Wally Hammond, Kohli has also scored seven double centuries in test cricket. Because of this, he holds a special place in Indian cricket, as no other batter comes close to him in this tally. In addition to his seven double centuries, Kohli has also scored 30 centuries, which is another remarkable achievement.

Metric	Test
Matches	123
Innings	210
Runs	9,230
Batting Average	46.85
200s (Double Centuries)	7
100s	30
300s	0
50s	31
Ducks	15
Highest Score	254*
Not Outs	13

Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene is another big name in Sri Lankan cricket. Just like Kumar Sangakkara, he also made his name in test cricket by scoring big runs. In 149 international matches, he scored 11814 runs at an average of 49.84. By scoring seven double centuries, he is also tied with Hammond and Kohli on the double-centuries list. This shows the fact that Jayawardene was an exceptional test batter who made several records by scoring consistently in test cricket.

Metric	Test
Matches	149
Innings	252
Runs	11,814
Batting Average	49.84
200s (Double Centuries)	7
100s	34
300s	1
50s	50
Ducks	15
Highest Score	374
Not Outs	15

Marvan Atapattu

Not many people know about Marvan Atapattu, as his test career was not as long as the other two Sri Lankan legends mentioned above. However, his record of scoring double centuries is quite exceptional. In just 90 test appearances, he scored 5,502 runs, including six double centuries. This shows that Atapattu was a player who loved to play big innings. His overall test records are impressive, which is why he was regarded as a true test specialist during his playing days.

Metric	Test
Matches	90
Innings	156
Runs	5,502
Batting Average	39.02
200s (Double Centuries)	6
100s	16
300s	0
50s	17
Ducks	21
Highest Score	249
Not Outs	15

Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag was a special batter known for his aggressive batting skills. Because of this, he was successful across formats, including both tests and ODIs. His test cricket records are remarkable, having scored 8,586 runs in just 104 matches. He also notched up six double centuries during his playing career, making him the second Indian batter with the most double centuries in test cricket.

Metric	Test
Matches	104
Innings	161
Runs	8,586
Batting Average	49.34
200s (Double Centuries)	6
100s	23
300s	2
50s	32
Ducks	13
Highest Score	319
Not Outs	9

Final Words

Players who have excelled in test cricket have shown remarkable command with the bat. Their patience in playing long innings set them apart from other batters. That is why they not only scored runs but also won many matches for their respective teams. From Don Bradman to Brian Lara, the players who scored the most double centuries in test cricket were specialists at occupying the crease. They thrived on playing long innings, which was a fundamental aspect of their batting. This is why they became highly successful in Test cricket and created numerous records that still stand to this day.