Double Centuries in Test Cricket represent one of the finest achievements a batter can accomplish in the marathon world of red-ball cricket. In a format that tests mental resilience and physical endurance like no other, reaching 200 is a testament to a player’s grit, concentration, and technical mastery. Unlike the faster-paced limited-overs formats, Test cricket provides the time and challenge for batters to build monumental innings, turning hundreds into historic double hundreds and earning a place among the legends of the game.
Over the years, only a few exceptional cricketers have made a habit of converting hundreds into double hundreds. These players didn’t just score big, they scored monumental. Their Double Centuries in Test Cricket are now part of cricketing folklore. In this article, we celebrate the top 10 batters who have registered the most Double Centuries in Test Cricket history.
10. Javed Miandad (Pakistan) – 6 Double Centuries
A stalwart of Pakistan cricket, Javed Miandad ends this illustrious list with 6 Double Centuries in Test Cricket. Known for his mental toughness and match awareness, Miandad played many rescue acts for Pakistan during his 17-year career. His unbeaten 280 against India remains one of his finest knocks.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | 0 | 200s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javed Miandad | 1976–1993 | 124 | 189 | 21 | 8832 | 280* | 52.57 | 23 | 43 | 6 | 6 |
9. Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 6 Double Centuries
New Zealand’s most prolific run-getter, Kane Williamson, has notched 6 Double Centuries in Test Cricket. Known for his calm temperament and textbook technique, Williamson has led New Zealand through a golden era. His 251 against West Indies and double tons against Pakistan and Bangladesh showcase his ability to grind and anchor innings.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | 0 | 200s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KS Williamson | 2010–2024 | 105 | 186 | 17 | 9276 | 251 | 54.88 | 33 | 37 | 11 | 6 |
8. Virender Sehwag (India) – 6 Double Centuries
Few batters played Test cricket like Virender Sehwag. His attacking approach didn’t change regardless of the format or situation. Sehwag’s 6 Double Centuries in Test Cricket include two triple hundreds—319 vs South Africa and 309 vs Pakistan. Sehwag’s strike rate in Tests is the highest among double-century scorers, and his ability to decimate bowling attacks made him a game-changer.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | 0 | 200s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V Sehwag | 2001–2013 | 104 | 180 | 6 | 8586 | 319 | 49.34 | 23 | 32 | 16 | 6 |
7. Marvan Atapattu (Sri Lanka) – 6 Double Centuries
Often underrated, Marvan Atapattu was Sri Lanka’s dependable opening batsman. He registered 6 Double Centuries in Test Cricket, proving his ability to play long innings. What’s fascinating is that five of his six double hundreds came away from home, making him one of the best travellers for Sri Lanka.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | 0 | 200s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Atapattu | 1990–2007 | 90 | 156 | 15 | 5502 | 249 | 39.02 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 6 |
6. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 7 Double Centuries
Mahela Jayawardene, the architect of Sri Lanka’s middle order for years, matched Kohli and Hammond with 7 Double Centuries in Test Cricket. His best, a mammoth 374 against South Africa in 2006, remains the highest score by a Sri Lankan. Jayawardene’s calm presence and masterful strokeplay in Galle and Colombo turned him into a run-machine in subcontinental conditions.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | 0 | 200s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DPMD Jayawardene | 1997–2014 | 149 | 252 | 15 | 11814 | 374 | 49.84 | 34 | 50 | 15 | 7 |
5. Virat Kohli (India) – 7 Double Centuries
Modern-day great Virat Kohli is the leading Indian on this list, with 7 Double Centuries in Test Cricket. All of them came between 2016 and 2019, a phase where Kohli mastered the art of long innings. His 254* against South Africa in Pune (2019) stands out as one of the most dominant knocks by an Indian Test captain. Kohli’s appetite for runs and aggressive style of leadership fueled India’s rise to the top of the Test rankings.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | 0 | 200s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V Kohli | 2011–2025 | 123 | 210 | 13 | 9230 | 254* | 46.85 | 30 | 31 | 15 | 7 |
4. Wally Hammond (England) – 7 Double Centuries
Wally Hammond, England’s batting colossus between the 1920s and 1940s, scored 7 Double Centuries in Test Cricket. He was a complete batsman, equally adept at scoring fluently and defending doggedly. His highest score of 336* came against New Zealand in Auckland (1933), setting a benchmark for English batters for decades.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | 0 | 200s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR Hammond | 1927–1947 | 85 | 140 | 16 | 7249 | 336* | 58.45 | 22 | 24 | 4 | 7 |
3. Brian Lara (West Indies) – 9 Double Centuries
The flamboyant genius Brian Lara was famous for scoring big, really big. With 9 Double Centuries in Test Cricket, including the historic 400 not out, Lara mesmerised fans with his flowing strokeplay and unmatched flair. Whether it was the iconic 375 against England in 1994 or the world-record 400* in 2004, Lara’s ability to dominate bowling attacks was second to none. He remains the only player to reclaim the world record for the highest individual Test score.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | 0 | 200s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BC Lara | 1990–2006 | 131 | 232 | 6 | 11953 | 400* | 52.88 | 34 | 48 | 17 | 9 |
2. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 11 Double Centuries
The elegant Kumar Sangakkara was Sri Lanka’s batting mainstay for over a decade and a half. His tally of 11 Double Centuries in Test Cricket reflects both class and longevity. With a highest score of 319 and over 12,000 Test runs, Sangakkara often rescued Sri Lanka or dominated opponents at home and away. What sets Sangakkara apart is his consistency.
| Player | Span | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | 0 | 200s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KC Sangakkara | 2000–2015 | 134 | 233 | 17 | 12400 | 319 | 57.40 | 38 | 52 | 11 | 11 |
1. Don Bradman (Australia) – 12 Double Centuries
The undisputed king of Test cricket, Sir Donald Bradman, holds the record for the most Double Centuries in Test Cricket, with a staggering 12 in just 52 Tests. Playing between 1928 and 1948, Bradman’s legendary average of 99.94 remains unmatched. His ability to convert starts into gigantic scores made him a nightmare for bowlers across generations. Bradman’s most famous innings include his 334 at Leeds in 1930 and multiple double tons against  England and South Africa.
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