Most 50+ scores in Test history: Sachin Tendulkar leads a legendary list

In the long and proud tradition of Test cricket, batting consistency is the biggest differentiator to separate good from great. Uniquely, scoring fifty runs or more in an inning is not just a personal achievement; rather, it usually proves to be an important contribution that influences your team's success. The record for most 50+ scores in Test match cricket is full of household names that reigned over various eras of modern cricket.

There is one name sitting atop the leaderboard. Sachin Tendulkar is the Indian batting legend who amassed an unbelievable 119 scores of 50 or more in Test cricket. Tendulkar scored 51 centuries and 68 fifties in 200 tests, averaging 53.78. His technical proficiency, mental fortitude, and ability to play well on all continents have made his career statistics virtually unassailable for a decade. 

Chasing him down is Joe Root, the modern-era batsman from England. In Joe Root's latest Test match—England vs. India during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025—Root scored an elegant 84. In doing so, Root surpassed Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting (both on 103 fifty-plus scores) for second on the all-time list with 105. The innings was a good reminder of Root's class, timing, and judgment under pressure to steady the ship in the innings.

Most 50+ Scores in Test History 🏏🔥 pic.twitter.com/tGTIzUXbiN

— CricketGully (@thecricketgully) August 3, 2025

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Joe Root Reaches Another Milestone in Style

Joe Root, England’s senior batter, reached another major milestone with a sumptuous 84 in the fifth Test against India at The Oval. Root showed that familiar Root style encompassing calmness, a fluency in strokeplay, and an aggression that was well controlled. After an uncertain start, the former England captain held the innings together as England established a competitive total, edging ahead of Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest player in Test history for 50+ scores.

Debuting in 2012, Root has developed into one of the best Test batters of this generation. He has 38 hundreds and 67 fifties in 158 tests, also combining some techniques of the old with modern-day adaptability. More importantly, he is calm at the crease and is adept at playing long innings under pressure, which is why he is the fulcrum of England’s top order. At 34 and in sublime form, he is not yet far away from decimating Sachin Tendulkar’s haloed record.