Introduction: The Everest of Batting Brilliance
Test cricket rewards endurance, skill, and mental grit like no other format. Scoring heavily across both innings of a Test is a rare feat—only 12 players in 147 years have crossed 350 runs in a match. This article dives into cricket’s most legendary batting performances, spotlighting recent history-maker Shubman Gill, who redefined excellence in July 2025.
Chapter 1: The Record Book – Top 5 Run-Machines
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Graham Gooch (England) – 456 runs
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Match: vs India, Lord’s, 1990
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Scores: 333 & 123
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Why It’s Iconic: Gooch’s 333 remains the highest Test score at Lord’s. He carried England alone, facing Kapil Dev’s menacing swing. Source: Test Cricket Records
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Shubman Gill (India) – 426 runs
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Match: vs England, Edgbaston, 2025
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Scores: 189 & 237*
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The New King: Broke Kohli’s record in a match-winning masterclass. His second-innings 237* sealed India’s series win. Source: Economic Times
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Virat Kohli (India) – 392 runs
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Match: vs Sri Lanka, Delhi, 2024
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Scores: 213 & 179
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The Benchmark: Kohli battled toxic smog to smash 392, a record Gill later toppled.
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Brian Lara (West Indies) – 375 & 400*
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Fun Fact: Lara holds the individual Test record (400*) but ranks 4th for match aggregates (351 vs England, 1994).
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Mark Taylor (Australia) – 368 runs
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Match: vs Pakistan, Peshawar, 1998
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Scores: 334* & 34*
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Chapter 2: Shubman Gill’s Edgbaston Epic – Anatomy of Greatness
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The Context: India trailed 0-1 in England. Gill, under fire for poor form, opened both innings.
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189 (1st Innings): Rescued India from 98/5 with audacious drives against Anderson’s reverse swing.
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*237* (2nd Innings):* Battled cramps to hit 28 boundaries. His celebration—pointing to his temple—went viral.
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Impact: India won by 75 runs; Gill’s 426 surpassed Bradman’s best (374). Photo Gallery: Gill’s Historic Knock
Chapter 3: Why Is This Record So Rare?
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Physical Toll: Batting 500+ balls across 5 days demands superhuman fitness (Gill burned 4,500 calories!).
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Mental Fortitude: Facing varied pitch conditions, fatigue, and pressure.
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Team Dependence: Batters need opportunities in both innings (unlike Lara’s 400* in a single dig).
Chapter 4: Near-Misses & Heartbreaks
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Kumar Sangakkara: 319 & 105 vs Bangladesh (2014) – 424 runs (voided; Bangladesh wasn’t a Test nation in 2000).
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Don Bradman: 304 & 244 vs England (1934) – 548 runs (myth; it was two separate Tests).
Chapter 5: The Future – Can Anyone Beat Gooch?
Gill (age 25) has time. But modern cricket’s packed schedules reduce chances. Key contenders:
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Yashasvi Jaiswal (India): Aggressive opener with 3 double-tons.
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Harry Brook (England): 2023’s fastest to 1,000 Test runs.
Conclusion: Where Batting Glory Meets Immortality
Gill’s 426 at Edgbaston didn’t just break a record—it announced a new era. As T20s dominate, these marathon knocks remind us why Test cricket is the ultimate trial. Gooch’s 456 still stands, but with batters like Gill pushing boundaries, cricket’s oldest format has never felt fresher.