The 2020s decade started on a challenging note for cricket, with the Covid Pandemic hampering major cricketing action in 2020 and 2021. It took a few months for the game to get back on track with precautionary measures, but since then, the action has been relentless.
Once Test cricket resumed in full swing, fans were treated to a feast of wonderful performances. We have witnessed closely contested bilateral series, thrilling Ashes battles, and the added excitement of the ICC World Test Championship, which has now crowned three champions. New Zealand won the inaugural final in 2021, Australia were victorious in 2023, and in a historic moment at Lord’s in June 2025, South Africa defeated Australia to win their first-ever ICC senior men’s trophy in 27 years, ending a long and painful drought for the Proteas.
As the new WTC cycle progresses, batsmen are looking to make their mark. In this article, we’ll dive into the numbers and bring you an updated list of the top 10 batsmen who have scored the most Test runs in the 2020s decade so far.
Most Test Runs in the 2020s Decade
| Player (Team) | Inns | Runs | Boundary % | HS | Avg | SR | 100/50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root (ENG) | 145 | 6919 | 43.13% | 262 | 52.81 | 61.5 | 24/24 |
| Steve Smith (AUS) | 93 | 3756 | 46.22% | 200* | 46.37 | 51.09 | 11/17 |
| Harry Brook (ENG) | 70 | 3610 | 52.91% | 317 | 53.08 | 86.32 | 10/20 |
| Zak Crawley (ENG) | 116 | 3585 | 57.85% | 267 | 31.44 | 65.55 | 5/21 |
| Travis Head (AUS) | 87 | 3572 | 55.88% | 175 | 43.03 | 78.41 | 10/13 |
| Ollie Pope (ENG) | 107 | 3568 | 50.0% | 205 | 34.98 | 65.92 | 9/15 |
| Marnus Labuschagne (AUS) | 96 | 3545 | 46.26% | 215 | 40.74 | 51.14 | 8/18 |
| Ben Stokes (ENG) | 110 | 3486 | 54.45% | 176 | 33.2 | 59.14 | 6/17 |
| Usman Khawaja (AUS) | 82 | 3342 | 44.46% | 232 | 45.16 | 47.43 | 8/14 |
| Ben Duckett (ENG) | 84 | 3254 | 55.87% | 182 | 40.17 | 87.66 | 7/15 |
| Kane Williamson (NZ) | 58 | 3136 | 49.74% | 251 | 60.3 | 52.86 | 12/7 |
| Babar Azam (PAK) | 75 | 3064 | 51.76% | 196 | 43.15 | 55.14 | 5/21 |
| Shubman Gill (IND) | 77 | 3043 | 54.22% | 269 | 43.47 | 61.4 | 11/9 |
| Rishabh Pant (IND) | 72 | 2971 | 60.05% | 146 | 43.69 | 75.06 | 6/19 |
| Tom Latham (NZ) | 85 | 2896 | 47.03% | 252 | 35.31 | 50.06 | 6/15 |
Discover All “Since 2020” Cricket Records
Most Runs in All Formats Combined Since 2020
Most Wickets in All Formats Combined Since 2020
Most Runs for India in All Formats Combined Since 2020
Most ODI Runs for India Since 2020
Most Test Centuries Since 2020
Key Insights – Prolific Test Batters in 2020s
Ollie Pope, whose batting style is similar to Ian Bell’s, is making big strides to leave a mark in the game. The youngster has the potential to top this list by the end of this decade.
Joe Root, England’s former captain, currently leads the pack in Test runs. No other batter is close to his tally. England’s frequent Test matches, even outside the WTC cycle, are a major factor. It shows the ECB’s commitment to the format.
Zak Crawley, England’s opener, holds the highest individual score of the 2020s. He scored 267 against Pakistan in 2020. Though often criticized for inconsistency, he was a standout in the 2023 Ashes. He finished as the second-highest run-getter.
Babar Azam, the former Pakistan skipper, has become a formidable Test batsman. His numbers were a bit subdued in 2023, but he has performed well in recent years.
Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies’ captain, is among the leading run-scorers. He has had some memorable performances against England and Australia.
Usman Khawaja, Australia’s opener, has been in excellent form since his 2022 return. He’s been on a spree of big runs with an impressive average. His form was visible in the 2023 Ashes, where he was the leading run-scorer.
Ollie Pope, with a batting style like Ian Bell’s, is making big strides. The young batsman has shown immense potential. He could be a long-term fixture on this list.
