The highest score in Test cricket by a team is 952/6 declared, made by Sri Lanka against India in Colombo in August 1997. Nearly three decades later, nobody has gone past it. The closest any side has come in recent years is England’s 823/7 declared against Pakistan in Multan in October 2024, now the fourth-highest total in Test history. India’s best is 759/7 declared against England in Chennai in 2016.
Top 20 highest team totals in Test cricket
| # | Team | Score | Opposition | Venue | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sri Lanka | 952/6d | India | Colombo (RPS) | Aug 1997 | Draw |
| 2 | England | 903/7d | Australia | The Oval | Aug 1938 | Won |
| 3 | England | 849 | West Indies | Kingston | Apr 1930 | Draw |
| 4 | England | 823/7d | Pakistan | Multan | Oct 2024 | Won |
| 5 | West Indies | 790/3d | Pakistan | Kingston | Feb 1958 | Won |
| 6 | Pakistan | 765/6d | Sri Lanka | Karachi | Feb 2009 | Draw |
| 7 | Sri Lanka | 760/7d | India | Ahmedabad | Nov 2009 | Draw |
| 8 | India | 759/7d | England | Chennai | Dec 2016 | Won |
| 9 | Australia | 758/8d | West Indies | Kingston | Jun 1955 | Won |
| 10 | Sri Lanka | 756/5d | South Africa | Colombo (SSC) | Jul 2006 | Won |
| 11 | West Indies | 751/5d | England | St John’s | Apr 2004 | Draw |
| 12 | West Indies | 749/9d | England | Bridgetown | Feb 2009 | Draw |
| 13 | West Indies | 747 | South Africa | St John’s | Apr 2005 | Draw |
| 14 | Australia | 735/6d | Zimbabwe | Perth (WACA) | Oct 2003 | Won |
| 15 | Sri Lanka | 730/6d | Bangladesh | Mirpur | Jan 2014 | Won |
| 16 | Australia | 729/6d | England | Lord’s | Jun 1930 | Won |
| 17 | India | 726/9d | Sri Lanka | Mumbai (Brabourne) | Dec 2009 | Won |
| 18 | New Zealand | 715/6d | Bangladesh | Hamilton | Feb 2019 | Won |
| 19 | Sri Lanka | 713/3d | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | May 2004 | Won |
| 20 | Sri Lanka | 713/9d | Bangladesh | Chattogram | Jan 2018 | Draw |
Source: ESPNcricinfo, highest innings totals in Test matches (as of October 2026). Result is for the batting side. d = declared.
The stories behind the biggest totals
Sri Lanka 952/6d v India, Colombo, 1997
India declared on 537/8 in the first innings, and Sri Lanka then batted for 271 overs. Sanath Jayasuriya made 340 and Roshan Mahanama 225, adding 576 for the second wicket. The match was drawn on a lifeless pitch, but 952 remains the highest team total in Tests.
England 903/7d v Australia, The Oval, 1938
Len Hutton scored 364, with Maurice Leyland (187) and Joe Hardstaff (169 not out) also cashing in. England won by an innings and 579 runs, still the biggest margin of victory in Test history.
England 823/7d v Pakistan, Multan, 2024
Pakistan made 556 in the first innings and still lost. Harry Brook (317) and Joe Root (262) powered England to 823/7 in just 150 overs, at 5.48 an over, and England won by an innings and 47 runs. It is the highest Test total of the 21st century.
India 759/7d v England, Chennai, 2016
Karun Nair made an unbeaten 303, only the second Test triple century by an Indian after Virender Sehwag, and KL Rahul fell for 199. India won by an innings and 75 runs to complete a 4-0 series win.
Two more record totals
- Sri Lanka 756/5d v South Africa, Colombo (SSC), 2006: Mahela Jayawardene (374) and Kumar Sangakkara (287) put on 624 for the third wicket, the highest partnership in Test cricket.
- West Indies 751/5d v England, St John’s, 2004: Brian Lara made 400 not out, still the highest individual score in Tests.
India’s highest Test totals
| Score | Opposition | Venue | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 759/7d | England | Chennai | 2016 | Won |
| 726/9d | Sri Lanka | Mumbai (Brabourne) | 2009 | Won |
| 707 | Sri Lanka | Colombo (SSC) | 2010 | Draw |
| 705/7d | Australia | Sydney | 2004 | Draw |
| 687/6d | Bangladesh | Hyderabad | 2017 | Won |
FAQs
What is the highest score in Test cricket by a team?
952/6 declared by Sri Lanka against India in Colombo in 1997.
What is India’s highest Test score?
759/7 declared against England in Chennai in December 2016.
What is the highest Test total in recent years?
England’s 823/7 declared against Pakistan in Multan in October 2024, the fourth-highest of all time.
Has any team scored 1,000 runs in a Test innings?
No. The record is still Sri Lanka’s 952/6.
