Top 10 Most Runs in an Over in Test Cricket | Jasprit Bumrah at the Top
In the world of Test cricket, every run counts. Batters are usually expected to play patiently, pick their shots carefully, and build an innings over time.
However, there have been special moments in Test history when batters have flipped the script. Instead of slow accumulation, they launch an all-out assault, scoring massive runs in a single over.
These overs don’t just change the momentum of a match; they etch the players’ names into cricketing folklore.
From legendary batters like Brian Lara to unlikely heroes like Jasprit Bumrah, the list of record-holders showcases a mix of flair, power, and timing. Below, we take a closer look at the Top 10 Most Runs in an Over in Test Cricket History.
Top 10 Most Runs in an Over in Test Cricket History
1. Jasprit Bumrah – 35 Runs vs Stuart Broad (2022)
Image – Source
- Bowler: Stuart Broad
- Match & Venue: Birmingham, 2022
- How Runs Were Scored: 4W, 4nb, 6, 4, 4, 4, 6, 1
This moment will be remembered as one of the most bizarre and iconic overs in Test cricket history. Jasprit Bumrah, known primarily for his world-class bowling, stunned the cricketing world when he took on Stuart Broad in Birmingham.
Broad, an experienced English bowler, had a day to forget as Bumrah smashed him for 35 runs in one over, breaking the all-time record for most runs scored in a Test over. The over began with a four off a no-ball followed by a series of boundaries and sixes. Broad lost his line, Bumrah capitalised, and the record was shattered.
This was not just a victory for Bumrah but for cricket as a whole, as it showcased the unpredictability of the sport. The over’s breakdown — 4W, 4nb, 6, 4, 4, 4, 6, 1 — became an iconic moment replayed on cricket highlight reels worldwide.
2. Brian Lara – 28 Runs vs Robin Peterson (2003)
Image – Source
- Bowler: Robin Peterson
- Match & Venue: Johannesburg, 2003
- How Runs Were Scored: 4, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4
If there’s one man whose name is synonymous with record-breaking feats, it’s Brian Lara. Known for his unbeaten 400-run innings, Lara also claimed his place on this list with a blistering 28-run over against South Africa’s Robin Peterson.
During the 2003 Test at Johannesburg, Lara smashed Peterson all around the park. The over included two sixes and four boundaries. Peterson tried to bowl defensively, but Lara used his masterful footwork to perfection, charging down the pitch and launching balls into the stands.
This performance cemented Lara’s place in Test cricket history, further adding to his reputation as one of the most destructive yet elegant batters in the sport.
3. George Bailey – 28 Runs vs James Anderson (2013)
Image – Source
- Bowler: James Anderson
- Match & Venue: Perth, 2013
- How Runs Were Scored: 4, 6, 2, 4, 6, 6
George Bailey may not be as iconic as Brian Lara, but his performance in the 2013 Ashes series was nothing short of legendary. Facing England’s premier bowler, James Anderson, in Perth, Bailey decided to go all-in.
He played a fearless brand of cricket, smashing Anderson for 28 runs in one over. The over included two sixes, two fours, and a double, leaving Anderson visibly frustrated. For Australian fans, this moment was a display of dominance, and it gave the team an upper hand in one of cricket’s most intense rivalries.
4. Keshav Maharaj – 28 Runs vs Joe Root (2019)
Image – Source
- Bowler: Joe Root
- Match & Venue: Port Elizabeth, 2019
- How Runs Were Scored: 4, 4, 4, 6, 6, b4
A unique entry on this list, as it features two unlikely names — Keshav Maharaj and Joe Root. While Root is known for his batting and captaincy, he often bowls part-time off-spin. In 2019, Maharaj took full advantage of Root’s inexperience as a bowler, smashing him for 28 runs in one over.
This remarkable over included back-to-back sixes and four boundaries, with one of the deliveries being a bye, adding to the tally. Maharaj, a lower-order batter, showcased unexpected aggression, proving that Test cricket can spring surprises from anyone, anywhere.
5. Shahid Afridi – 27 Runs vs Harbhajan Singh (2005)
Image – Source
- Bowler: Harbhajan Singh
- Match & Venue: Lahore, 2005
- How Runs Were Scored: 6, 6, 6, 6, 2, 1
“Boom Boom” Shahid Afridi makes his presence known on this list with his iconic 27-run onslaught against Harbhajan Singh in 2005. Known for his fearless, aggressive batting style, Afridi smashed Harbhajan for four consecutive sixes, showing no mercy.
The crowd in Lahore erupted with each six, and this performance became part of Afridi’s legend. For Harbhajan, it was a moment to forget, as he had no answer to Afridi’s sheer power and dominance.
6. Harry Brook – 27 Runs vs Zahid Mahmood (2022)
Image – Source
- Bowler: Zahid Mahmood
- Match & Venue: Rawalpindi, 2022
- How Runs Were Scored: 6, 4, 4, 4, 6, 3
The youngest entrant on this list, Harry Brook, showcased the modern Test cricket mindset — aggression from the start. Against Pakistan’s Zahid Mahmood, Brook’s approach was ruthless. He scored 27 runs in a single over, mixing boundaries with quick singles and sixes.
This innings highlighted the rise of a new breed of Test cricketers who are unafraid to attack from ball one, even in the game’s longest format.
7. Craig McMillan – 26 Runs vs Younis Khan (2000)
Image – Source
- Bowler: Younis Khan
- Match & Venue: Hamilton, 2000
- How Runs Were Scored: 4, 4, 4, 4, 6, 4
During a Test match between New Zealand and Pakistan, Craig McMillan unleashed his fury on Younis Khan, scoring 26 runs in one over. It’s unusual to see Younis Khan bowling, but on this day, McMillan made sure it was unforgettable.
With a series of boundaries and a six, McMillan made sure Pakistan paid for their decision to bring Younis into the attack.
8. Brian Lara – 26 Runs vs Danish Kaneria (2006)
Image – Source
- Bowler: Danish Kaneria
- Match & Venue: Multan, 2006
- How Runs Were Scored: 4, 0, 6, 6, 6, 4
Making his second appearance on this list, Brian Lara took on Danish Kaneria in 2006. With his stylish footwork, Lara played audacious shots, launching Kaneria for 26 runs in one over. This match further established Lara’s reputation as one of the most fearsome Test batters of all time.
9. Mitchell Johnson – 26 Runs vs Paul Harris (2008)
Image – Source
- Bowler: Paul Harris
- Match & Venue: Johannesburg, 2008
- How Runs Were Scored: 4, 4, 6, 0, 6, 6
Known for his fiery fast bowling, Mitchell Johnson showed he could swing the bat too. Against South Africa’s Paul Harris, Johnson bludgeoned 26 runs, hitting three sixes and two fours.
10. Brendon McCullum – 26 Runs vs Suranga Lakmal (2014)
Image – Source
- Bowler: Suranga Lakmal
- Match & Venue: Christchurch, 2014
- How Runs Were Scored: 4, 6, 6, 0, 4, 6
Known for his fearless approach, Brendon McCullum went berserk against Suranga Lakmal, smashing him for 26 runs in one over. McCullum’s unique approach to Test cricket redefined how the format was played, inspiring an entire generation of cricketers.
Recent News About Most Runs In a Over in Test Cricket
Jasprit Bumrah’s Witty Response on His Batting Skills
During a recent press conference, Jasprit Bumrah displayed his trademark wit when asked about his batting abilities. In response to the question, Bumrah confidently replied, “It’s an interesting question. But, you are questioning my batting ability. You should use Google and see who has got the most number of runs in a Test over.”
This clever comeback referenced his iconic performance against Stuart Broad during the Birmingham Test in 2022, where he smashed a record-breaking 35 runs in a single over, the most ever scored in a Test over. The statement highlighted Bumrah’s awareness of his own achievements while also sending a playful message to the journalist.
Bumrah, primarily known for his bowling prowess, became an unlikely batting hero on that memorable day. His response showcased his confidence and ability to handle media pressure with charm, further cementing his status as one of cricket’s most well-rounded personalities
Conclusion
These record-breaking overs are rare but unforgettable moments in Test cricket. From Jasprit Bumrah’s world-record 35 runs to Brian Lara’s iconic 28-run overs, these moments keep fans on the edge of their seats.
FAQs About Most Runs in an Over in Test Cricket
Who holds the record for the most runs scored in a Test over?
Jasprit Bumrah holds the record, scoring 35 runs off Stuart Broad in Birmingham, 2022.
Which bowlers have conceded the most runs in a Test over?
Stuart Broad (35), Robin Peterson (28), James Anderson (28), and Harbhajan Singh (27) are among the most notable.
Which players appear on this list twice?
Brian Lara appears twice, scoring 28 runs against Robin Peterson (2003) and 26 runs against Danish Kaneria (2006).
How does the modern power-hitting style affect Test cricket?
Modern power-hitting brings aggression to Tests, increasing scoring rates and making the format more exciting.
