The cricketing world paused in reflection as Virat Kohli, one of India’s modern greats, announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025. Kohli’s decision, coming just days after Rohit Sharma’s similar announcement, signals the end of an era for Indian Test cricket. Over a 14-year career, Kohli amassed 9,230 runs in 123 Tests at an average of 46.85, registering 30 centuries and 31 fifties, and leaving behind a legacy as India’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins from 68 matches.
As Kohli steps away from the whites, his name sits alongside legends in the elite club of players with the most double centuries in Test cricket. Here’s a look at the top five players who have not only redefined batting endurance but also etched their names in history with their monumental double tons.
Top 5 players to score most double hundreds in Tests
Sir Donald Bradman (Australia)
No discussion on batting records is complete without Sir Donald Bradman. The Australian icon holds the world record for the most double centuries in Tests, scoring 12 double hundreds in just 52 matches between 1928 and 1948.
Bradman’s figures are staggering: 6,996 runs at an average of 99.94, with 29 centuries and 13 fifties. His highest score, 334, was part of a remarkable run in the 1930 Ashes, where he accumulated 974 runs in a single series-a record that still stands. Bradman’s ability to convert starts into mammoth scores set a standard few have approached.
Span: 1928-1948Matches: 52Double Centuries: 12Highest Score: 334Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Kumar Sangakkara, Sri Lanka’s batting genius, follows closely with 11 double centuries in 134 Tests between 2000 and 2015. Renowned for his elegance and consistency, Sangakkara amassed 12,400 runs at an average of 57.40, including 38 centuries.
Sangakkara’s double hundreds came against a variety of opponents and in all conditions, underlining his adaptability. His highest score, 319 against Bangladesh, remains one of the most fluent triple centuries in modern cricket.
Span: 2000-2015Matches: 134Double Centuries: 11Highest Score: 319
Also READ: Top 5 most successful captains in Test cricket ft. Virat Kohli
Brian Lara (West Indies)
Brian Lara, the West Indies virtuoso, is celebrated for his flair and appetite for big scores. Lara notched up nine double centuries in 131 Tests, including the highest individual score in Test history-an unbeaten 400 against England.
With 11,953 runs at 52.88 and 34 centuries, Lara’s career was defined by his ability to dominate attacks and play marathon innings. His double centuries often came in high-pressure situations, showcasing both skill and temperament.
Span: 1990-2006Matches: 131Double Centuries: 9Highest Score: 400*Wally Hammond (England)
Wally Hammond, England’s batting stalwart from the interwar and postwar eras, scored seven double centuries in 85 Tests between 1927 and 1947. Hammond’s 7,249 runs came at an average of 58.45, with 22 centuries and a highest score of 336*.
Hammond’s classical technique and power made him one of England’s greatest batters. His double centuries were often match-defining, and his record stood tall for decades.
Span: 1927-1947Matches: 85Double Centuries: 7Highest Score: 336*Virat Kohli (India)
Kohli, the only active player in this elite group until his recent retirement, also scored seven double centuries in 123 Tests between 2011 and 2025. Kohli’s 9,230 runs at 46.85, with 30 centuries, reflect his consistency and hunger for big scores.
Kohli’s double centuries were often the backbone of Indian victories, and his ability to accelerate after reaching three figures became a hallmark of his batting. His highest score, 254* against South Africa, showcased his dominance at home.
Span: 2011-2025Matches: 123Double Centuries: 7Highest Score: 254*
Also READ: Sachin Tendulkar vs Virat Kohli: A statistical comparison of two all-time batting greats after 123 Test matches
