Most runs scored by a captain in Test cricket

Like any other sport, the captain is the most important player on the cricket field. Right from the team selection to making instantaneous decisions, the captain has the final call.

A captain has to lead his team from the front, setting the standards for other players may it be in bowling, batting or fielding. He is the one who has to boost up the team's morale. Over the history of the game, many skippers came and went, but, only a few could leave their impact. Only few could make a difference, both with the bat as well as captaincy. Here is a look at top 10 captains with most runs in Test cricket.

*Stats updated September 6, 2018.

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#10 Virat Kohli- 4000 runs*

The current Indian skipper Virat Kohli is the only non-retired^ player in this list. Virat has led India in 39 Tests so far. He was made the permanent Test captain of India in January-2015. In the 65 innings till now, he has scored an exact 4000 runs with an average of 67, highest for any captain with minimum 35 Tests. He has hit 16 Tests centuries as a captain and is third on the list. He also has the most Test double-centuries as a captain. With the possibility of at least 5 years left in his career, Virat might get up to the top of this list.

#9 Greg Chappell- 4209 runs

Former Australian skipper, Greg Chappell played 48 Tests as an Australian captain. He scored 4209 runs with 13 centuries. His highest score was 235 during his tenure as the Australian captain. Chappell was made the Australian captain for the second time in 1979 and he led his team until his retirement in 1984.

#8 Misbah-ul-Haq- 4214 runs

Pakistan's most capped Test skipper, Misbah-ul-Haq appears at number 8 in this list. In 56 Tests as the Pakistani skipper, he scored 4214 runs in 99 innings. He led Pakistan to some of its best Test victories ever. He also hit 8 centuries with the highest score of 135. Interestingly, he remains as one of the oldest Test skipper ever.

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^ Alastair Cook will retire after the ongoing series against India.

#7 Brian Lara- 4685 runs

One of the finest players in Test cricket, Brian Charles Lara led the Windies in 47 Tests. Trinidadian scored 4685 runs with 14 centuries. His highest score of 400* will remain intact as the Highest Individual Score for decades to come. He also had a phenomenal average of 58 as the Windies skipper.

#6 Alastair Cook- 4844 runs

Alastair Cook, former English skipper

Alastair Cook captained the English cricket team for 59 Tests. He scored 4844 runs in 111 innings with 12 centuries. He also hit 24 fifties in his tenure. On the verge of his retirement, this greatest Test openers of all-time, Alastair Cook has made his position as the Best British Test batsman very clear.

#5 Stephen Fleming- 5156 runs

In 14 years of his Test career, Stephen Fleming led the Blackcaps in 80 Test matches. He is also the third most capped Test skipper ever. He scored 5156 runs with 8 centuries. His highest score as a captain was 274*.

#4 Clive Lloyd- 5233 runs

Clive Lloyd is one of the greatest leaders in the history of cricket. He is also the most capped Windies captain ever. He led Windies in 74 matches and scored 5233 runs in 111 innings. With an average of 51.30, he batted aggressively throughout his career. His best Test score as a captain in 242*.

#3 Ricky Ponting- 6543 runs

Ricky Ponting is the most successful captain ever in the history of the game. He also has the second most victories in Test cricket. He always led Australia aggressively and from the front, winning 48 Tests out of 77. He scored 6543 runs in 140 innings with 19 centuries. His highest score as an Australian skipper was 209 runs.

#2 Allan Border- 6623 runs

Allan Border is the second most capped Test skipper. He may not have been the most successful Australian captain, but he was the sole reason for Australia's dominance in the late 20th century. He laid the foundations for a team, which turned out to be the most lethal sports team ever. He scored 6623 runs in 154 innings with 15 centuries and 35 half-centuries.

#1 Graeme Smith- 8659 runs

When Graeme Smith took the South African captainship, Proteas were going through a very bad phase because of the match-fixing saga. The 22-year-old took the responsibility and turned around South Africa's cricketing fate. He made his side one of the best Test sides ever. He led South Africa to an unbeaten away spree of consecutive 9 years.

He is also the most capped Test skipper ever, leading the Proteas for 109 matches. He is also the only Test captain with more than 50 victories. He is also one of the best Test openers ever. He scored 6659 runs in 193 innings with an average of 48. He also has 25 centuries under his chin as the South African skipper, most by any in world cricket.