Gavaskar, Shastri, Sidhu, Dravid, Pujara (Source: @ICC, @RaviShastriOfc, @abhaysingh_13/X.com)
There have been many superstars from Indian cricket who have turned the heat on the opposition after staying on the crease for a long time. Test cricket is a format where not only skill plays a role, but also temperament and resilience are tested under tough conditions.
Recently, India's Test superstar, Cheteshwar Pujara, bid adieu to red-ball cricket and international cricket. But his performances in the Test for India remain unscarred. Therefore, in this article, we will look at the players who have faced the most balls in a Test innings for India.
5. Sunil Gavaskar - 172 Runs Off 472 Balls vs England, Bengaluru, 1981
At number five on this list is the legendary Sunil Gavaskar, who faced a total of 472 balls against England back in 1981 in Bengaluru. It was the second Test of the India-England series. England batted first and put up 400 runs on the board. In reply, India gave a strong reply with 428, thanks to skipper Gavaskar, who scored 172 runs off 472 deliveries, smashing 19 boundaries.
England were eventually bowled out after scoring 174 for three, as the match ended in a hard-fought draw. Gavaskar was adjudged player of the match for his vital contribution, as his marathon knock is remembered as a masterclass.
4. Ravi Shastri - 206 Runs Off 477 Balls vs Australia, Sydney, 1992
At number four on this list is the former Indian head coach and all-rounder, Ravi Shastri. The year was 1992, and India were playing Australia in Sydney in the third Test of the series. Australia batted first and scored 313 runs in the first innings, while India's sharp reply came on the back of opener Ravi Shastri's brilliant 206-run knock off 477 balls, with 17 boundaries and two sixes to his name.
India also got a heavy lead as they compiled 483 runs on the board, thanks to Tendulkar's 148 not out. Australia scored 173/8 in the third innings, and this match again ended in a draw, where Shastri was given the player of the match award, as he also picked up four wickets in the third innings that Australia batted in.
3. Navjot Singh Sidhu - 201 Runs Off 491 Balls vs West Indies, Port Of Spain, 1997
Moving to the number three player on the list is the big-hitting Navjot Singh Sidhu. India were playing against the West Indies in the 1997 series. In the second Test, West Indies batted first and put up 296 in the first innings, whereas in reply, India gained a massive lead, scoring 436. Sidhu was the top scorer with 201 runs off 491 balls, with 19 boundaries and a six.
His innings proved why resilience on the pitch can be crucial alongside scoring boundaries. This knock tired the West Indies out, as India gained a massive upper hand in the game. The Caribbean side in the third innings could only reach 299 for the loss of six wickets. Again, this match ended in a draw but is remembered for Siddhu's memorable knock.
2. Rahul Dravid - 270 Runs Off 495 Balls vs Pakistan, Rawalpindi, 2004
Moving to the number two player is the wall, Rahul Dravid. Dravid was one of the most dependable players in the Indian side back in that era. He would take on the opposition right from the first ball and keep batting, even after scoring hundreds. Without tiring out, he would make the opposition sweat, as he would not play too many false strokes. It was the third Test between India and Pakistan at Rawalpindi in 2004, where Pakistan scored 224 in their first innings, while India fought back hard, compiling 600 runs.
Rahul Dravid displayed his top-class form, scoring 270 after facing 495 with 34 boundaries and a strike rate of 54.54, as India scored 600 against Pakistan. In the third innings, Pakistan were bowled out for just 245, as India gained a valuable victory by an innings and 131 runs to seal the deal in this encounter. Dravid's marathon knock earned him the player of the match award, as all the avid cricket fans still remember his iconic 270.
1. Cheteshwar Pujara - 202 Runs Off 525 Balls vs Australia, Ranchi, 2017*
Finally, the number one player on the list is India's wall 2.0, Cheteshwar Pujara. In the third Test between India and Australia back in 2017 in Ranchi, Australia scored 451, while in reply, India declared their innings after losing nine wickets, scoring a proper 603. Pujara scored a fighting 202 off 525 deliveries, with 21 boundaries. However, India's 603 wouldn't secure a result, as the match ended in a draw after Australia fought hard with 204 for six after playing out 100 overs.
This match has been one of the toughest games ever contested, as even Australia displayed proper resilience, but Pujara came out on top in this encounter with a knock that surpassed every Indian on the list. Now, since he has retired from international cricket, it will be interesting to see if any upcoming batter in this era is able to break this massive record of facing 525 deliveries in a Test innings for India.
.jpg?type=mq "Pujara vs Kohli vs Rohit")
.jpg?type=mq "Arnav Chopra")
