Test cricket history witnessed an extraordinary display in Kanpur as India’s intent shattered multiple records during a day that will be remembered for years to come. After two days of rain hampered play, India came out firing on all cylinders, leaving an indelible mark on the records chart. Let’s delve into the highlights that made this an unforgettable day of Test cricket.
India etched their name into the record books by becoming the first team to score 50 runs in an innings inside the first three overs, achieving the feat in just 2.6 overs. This milestone eclipsed the previous record set by England, who had reached 50 runs in 4.2 overs on two occasions during their recent Test series against the West Indies. India didn’t stop there; they shattered records for the fastest to 100 runs (10.1 overs), 150 runs (18.2 overs), 200 runs (24.2 overs), and 250 runs (30.1 overs) by any team in Test cricket.
Furthermore, India set a new record for the most sixes hit by a team in a calendar year in Test cricket. With 96 sixes in 2024, they surpassed England’s 89 sixes in 2022 and their own 87 sixes in 2021. Given that India potentially has another innings in the current Kanpur Test and several more matches to play in the year, this tally could increase further, setting an even more daunting target for future teams.
One of the most breathtaking aspects of India’s innings was their scoring rate. At a blistering rate of 8.22 runs per over, this became the highest scoring rate for any team in an innings where they amassed 200 or more runs. The previous best was Australia’s 7.53 runs per over, achieved against Pakistan in Sydney in 2017, while the best in a team’s first innings was recorded by South Africa at a rate of 6.80 runs per over against Zimbabwe in Cape Town in 2005.
The opening stand between Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal stood out remarkably, scoring 55 runs off just 23 balls at a stunning partnership rate of 14.34. This became the highest ever for a 50+ stand in Test matches where such data is available.
. They topped the chart, surpassing the 11.86 partnership rate between Ben Stokes and Ben Duckett against the West Indies in Edgbaston just a few months ago.
India added another feather to their cap with two batsmen reaching 50 runs in 35 balls or fewer in the same innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal reached his half-century in 31 balls, while KL Rahul achieved it in 33 balls. This is only the second instance of such a feat, both belonging to India. Previously, Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan had accomplished this against the West Indies in Port of Spain last year. Jaiswal’s 31-ball 50 also made him the second quickest Indian to reach a half-century on home soil, behind Rishabh Pant’s 26-ball effort against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru in 2022.
On this remarkable day, a total of 437 runs were scored by both teams combined, making it the second-highest run tally in a day’s play on Indian soil. This is only behind the 470 runs scored on the second day between India and Sri Lanka at the Brabourne Stadium in 2009. Additionally, this figure represents the highest number of runs scored in a single day’s play in Asia on the scheduled fourth day or beyond of a Test match. Not just runs, but the day also saw 18 wickets fall, the most in a day’s play where 400 or more runs were accumulated.
Ravindra Jadeja grabbed headlines by becoming the seventh Indian bowler to reach 300 Test wickets. At 35 years and 299 days, Jadeja is the oldest among the seven to achieve this milestone. It took him 17,428 deliveries, making him the second quickest to reach the mark for India, just behind R Ashwin who did it in 15,636 balls.
Further, Jadeja has taken 74 Tests to achieve the double of 3000+ runs and 300+ wickets, making him the second-fastest to this milestone, behind Ian Botham, who needed 72 Tests. He became the 11th player globally and the third Indian, after Kapil Dev and R Ashwin, to accomplish this. Of these 11 players, Jadeja’s batting-bowling average differential of 12.39 is second only to Imran Khan’s 14.88.
Adding to the thrills of the day, Mominul Haque of Bangladesh scored an unbeaten 107, significantly raising his average in India to 12.00 from a mere 96 runs in eight innings. This was the lowest average for any batsman at the time of their first century on Indian soil, with Ricky Ponting’s 12.29 average previously holding this unwelcome record.
This extraordinary blend of personal milestones and team achievements made it a day of cricket like no other, highlighting India’s aggressive and record-setting intent that dominated the narrative at Kanpur.