India’s ultimate survivors: Most balls faced in a Test innings ft. Cheteshwar Pujara | Cricket News
Indian cricket has produced many players who have worn down the opposition with patience, grit, and determination. Test cricket is not just a game of skill; it also demands resilience and mental toughness under challenging conditions. Recently, Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s modern-day Test stalwart, announced his retirement from international cricket. His legacy in the red-ball format, however, remains untarnished. Over the years, Pujara has shown what it takes to stay at the crease for long periods, and he joins a prestigious list of Indian players who have faced the most deliveries in a single Test innings.
Five longest Indian Test innings by balls faced:
5. Sunil Gavaskar – 172 Runs off 472 Balls vs England, Bengaluru, 1981 Legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar takes the fifth spot with his marathon 172 against England in Bengaluru. Batting in the second Test of the series, Gavaskar faced 472 deliveries and struck 19 boundaries to help India post 428 in response to England’s 400. The match ended in a hard-fought draw, and Gavaskar was named player of the match for his vital contribution.4. Ravi Shastri – 206 Runs off 477 Balls vs Australia, Sydney, 1992 Former all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri is next, with a memorable 206 against Australia in Sydney. India responded strongly to Australia’s 313, compiling 483, with Shastri’s innings featuring 17 boundaries and two sixes. He also took four wickets later in the match, earning the player of the match award in a game that ended in a draw.3. Navjot Singh Sidhu – 201 Runs off 491 Balls vs West Indies, Port of Spain, 1997 Sidhu claimed the third spot with his 201 against the West Indies. India built a massive lead of 436 after the West Indies scored 296, thanks to Sidhu’s patient innings with 19 boundaries and a six. Though the match ended in a draw, his knock exhausted the opposition and highlighted the importance of resilience alongside attacking strokes.
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2. Rahul Dravid – 270 Runs off 495 Balls vs Pakistan, Rawalpindi, 2004 The dependable wall, Rahul Dravid, comes in second with an iconic 270 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi. India amassed 600 runs after Pakistan scored 224, with Dravid facing 495 deliveries and hitting 34 boundaries at a strike rate of 54.54. India secured a massive innings and 131-run victory, with Dravid earning the player of the match award for his remarkable effort.1. Cheteshwar Pujara – 202 Runs off 525 Balls vs Australia, Ranchi, 2017 At the top of the list is Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s modern-day wall. In the third Test against Australia in Ranchi, Pujara faced 525 deliveries to score 202 runs while India declared at 603 for nine in reply to Australia’s 451. The match ended in a draw after Australia battled hard, but Pujara’s innings was a display of sheer concentration and stamina. With Pujara now retired, it remains to be seen if any upcoming Indian batter can challenge his record of facing 525 balls in a single Test innings.
