Indian batters with the best batting average in Tests: There are many Indian batters who boast of a solid Test average. The quest to bat long in Tests is something that has carried on for generations. Indian batsmen are the ones who occupy most of the top batting spots across formats.
We look at the top 10 Indian batters with the best batting average in Tests:
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[Qualification criteria – 5000 runs]
#10 Dilip Vengsarkar – 42.13
He was one of the most stylish batsmen to have ever represented the country. Dilip Vengsarkar was known as the lord of Lords who scored three centuries at the iconic venue. He scored 6,868 runs in 116 Tests at an average of 42.13. Vengsarkar compiled 17 centuries and 35 half-centuries.
#9 Sourav Ganguly – 42.17
There were very few cricketers who were as graceful as Sourav Ganguly was on the offside. He holds the distinction of scoring a century on his Test debut at Lords. Ganguly scored 7,212 runs in 113 Tests at an average of 42.17.
#8 Cheteshwar Pujara – 44.39
He is called Rahul Dravid’s successor. Cheteshwar Pujara is the last of his kind batsmen in the game. He believes in making the bowlers toil hard. Pujara has scored 7,014 runs in 98 Tests so far at an average of 44.39. He is only the second active Indian player on this list.
#7 Mohammad Azharuddin – 45.03
He holds the record for scoring three centuries in his first three Tests. Mohammad Azharuddin enthralled audiences with his supple wrists. He is one of the most underrated Indian batters in Tests. Azhar has scored 6,215 runs in 99 Tests at an average of 45.03.
#6 VVS Laxman – 45.97
At number 6 on this list is a fellow Hyderabadi. VVS Laxman was popularly called ‘very very special’ Laxman. His 281 in Eden Gardens, Kolkata against Australia is rated among the finest in cricketing folklore. He was someone who could be banked upon to score runs in tough situations. Laxman averaged 45.97 across 134 Tests he played in.
#5 Virat Kohli – 48.90
He is the only active Indian batter on this list. Virat Kohli’s Test average has dipped several points in recent years. He averaged in excess of 54 at one stage. Kohli is yet to score a century in this format since November 2019. He yet occupies the fifth spot on this list averaging 48.90 in 104 Tests.
#4 Virender Sehwag – 49.43
He is arguably among the finest Test openers in world cricket. Virender Sehwag changed the narrative of Test cricket. He is the only Indian batsman to score two triple centuries in Test cricket. Sehwag averaged 49.43 in 103 Tests scoring 8503 runs.
#3 Sunil Gavaskar – 51.12
He is one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Sunil Manohar Gavaskar played in an era that was arguably the most difficult one for batters. He was among the few batters who could handle the fiery West Indian fast bowlers. Gavaskar’s average of 51.12 hence stands tall. He was also the first batsman in Test cricket to cross the 10,000 runs mark.
#2 Rahul Dravid – 52.63
He was India’s technically most solid batsman. Rahul Dravid was called Mr. Dependable. He has made stellar contributions to some iconic Indian wins. Dravid was someone who was at ease scoring runs in overseas conditions too. He finished with a career average of 52.63 in 163 Tests scoring 13,265 runs.
#1 Sachin Tendulkar – 53.78
The little master is the highest run-getter in Tests. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar scored 15,921 runs in 200 Tests. He also holds the record for playing the most number of Test matches and for scoring the most number of Test centuries. Tendulkar finished his Test career at an average of 53.78! He tops the list for Indian batters with the best Test averages among those who have scored more than 5,000 runs.
