Scoring a triple century in Test cricket is a rare and significant accomplishment. Here’s a look at the players who have made this impressive mark, with some having done it more than once.
Sir Donald Bradman, often regarded as the best batter of his era, is one of four players to have scored multiple triple centuries in Test cricket. He was the first player ever to hit two triple centuries, holding this record alone for nearly 70 years until Brian Lara matched it in 2004.
Bradman’s first triple century came during the third Test of the 1930 series at Leeds, where he made 334 runs off 448 balls, including 46 boundaries. His second triple century came at the same ground four years later, scoring 304 off 473 balls in the fourth Test of the series, contributing to Australia’s total of 584.
Brian Lara
Brian Lara, one of the greatest West Indian batters, is also among the four players with two triple centuries in Test cricket. His first came in 1994 against England, where he scored 375 runs off 538 balls. A decade later, Lara set a record with 400* against England in 2004, the highest individual score in Test history, ensuring his place alongside Don Bradman as the second player to score multiple triple centuries.
Chris Gayle
Chris Gayle, known as the Universe Boss, has also achieved two triple centuries in Test cricket. His first came in 2005 against South Africa, where he smashed 317 runs off 483 balls. His second triple century came in 2010 against Sri Lanka, with a career-best of 333 runs.
Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag holds the record for the most triple centuries by an Indian. His first was against Pakistan in 2004 when he scored 309 runs in Multan. Four years later, in 2008, Sehwag made history with the fastest triple century in Test cricket, scoring 319 against South Africa.
Matthew Hayden
In 2003, Australian opener Matthew Hayden made headlines by smashing 380 runs against Zimbabwe at the WACA, Perth. His innings helped Australia reach a massive 735/6 before declaring.
Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene scored his country’s highest individual Test score in 2006, with 374 runs against South Africa in Colombo. His partnership of 624 runs with Kumar Sangakkara remains one of the greatest in cricket history.
Garry Sobers
At just 21 years old, Garry Sobers made his mark in 1958 by scoring 365* against Pakistan, setting the then world record for the highest individual Test score.
Len Hutton
England’s Len Hutton achieved his highest score of 364 runs in the 1938 series against Australia. His 847-ball effort was remarkable and stood as one of the longest innings at the time.
Indian Players with Triple Centuries
Player
Score
Against
Year
Virender Sehwag
309
Pakistan
2004
Virender Sehwag
319
South Africa
2008
Karun Nair
303*
England
2016
Virender Sehwag
Virender Sehwag was the first Indian to score a triple century, earning him the nickname “Sultan of Multan” for his 309 against Pakistan. His second came in 2008 against South Africa, where he achieved the fastest triple century in Test history, scoring 300 in just 278 balls.
Karun Nair
Karun Nair became only the second Indian to score a triple century, with an unbeaten 303 against England in 2016, helping India secure a dominant win in Chennai.