By Kaif - Jul 07, 2025 05:10 PM
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Highest score by a captain in a Test match: The South African team, which won the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 title for the first time, is now close to winning the two-Test series against Zimbabwe. After registering a spectacular win in the first innings, it has strengthened its hold in the second Test match as well. During this, South African captain Wiaan Mulder surprised everyone by taking a shocking decision in the dressing room. Due to his decision, Brian Lara's 21-year-old record could not be broken. Mulder was very close to scoring 400 runs in the second Test match, but then he surprised everyone by declaring the innings.
So let us know the list of players who have scored the most runs in a Test match as a captain
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Graham Gooch of England played an unforgettable innings of 333 against India at Lord's in 1990. The innings was a testament to his strong technique, determination and ability to dismantle the Indian bowling attack. Gooch faced 628 balls and hit 43 boundaries, helping England post a mammoth total in the match. It was one of his finest innings as captain that put England in a strong position in the match.
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Former Australia captain Mark Taylor played a memorable innings by scoring an unbeaten 334 against Pakistan in Peshawar in 1998. This innings came when Australia had to face challenging conditions in Pakistan. Taylor displayed great patience and technique while facing 720 balls. The score was equal to Bradman's record of 334 at the time, and Taylor deliberately declared the innings so as not to surpass that record, which was a great example of sportsmanship.
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In the second Test match against Zimbabwe, South Africa declared their first innings at 626 for 5. Captain Wiaan Mulder returned unbeaten after scoring 367 runs. The way Wiaan Mulder was playing, it seemed that he would break Brian Lara's record of 400 runs unbeaten in Test cricket, but during lunch itself Mulder took a surprising decision. He declared South Africa's first innings. Wiaan Mulder played an unbeaten innings of 367 runs with the help of 49 fours and 4 sixes in 334 balls. This will put Mulder at third place in the list of highest scorers by captains.
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Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene also played an incredible innings as a captain in Test cricket. Against South Africa in 2006, he played a marathon innings of 374 runs. This innings, different from Lara's stormy batting, was an excellent example of patience, technical mastery and unmatched concentration.
With this innings, Jayawardene showed how calmly and with control a captain can bat even under pressure. He faced 752 balls and took his team to a strong position. This innings was a testimony to his captaincy skills and his role as a troubleshooter, which gave Sri Lanka a crucial lead in the match.
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Top of the list is West Indies great Brian Lara, who created history by scoring an incredible unbeaten 400 against England in Antigua in 2004. This was not just a world record but the highest individual score by any batsman in Test cricket, and it came while captaining.
Lara’s innings came in 582 balls, studded with 43 fours and 4 sixes. It was a testament to his exceptional concentration, brilliant strokeplay and unparalleled ability to perform under pressure. West Indies cricket was going through a tough phase at the time, and Lara, as captain, was under immense pressure to handle his team. This innings cements his image as the “Man of Steel” who single-handedly influenced a match and set a historic milestone.
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