An extraordinary day of Test cricket unfolded in Kanpur as India catapulted the match into historic realms, shattering multiple records and setting benchmarks that will be talked about for years to come. Following two days washed out due to incessant rain, the Indian squad showcased their sheer intent and capabilities, making sure every moment counted.
India achieved several unprecedented milestones during their explosive innings. They scripted a new chapter by becoming the first team ever to score 50 runs in just 2.6 overs within the first three overs of their innings. This groundbreaking achievement surpassed the previous record set by England, who reached the same milestone in 4.2 overs on two occasions during their recent Test series against the West Indies. The Indian side didn’t stop there; they also shattered records for the fastest to reach 100, 150, 200, and 250 runs in a team innings, clocking times of 10.1, 18.2, 24.2, and 30.1 overs, respectively.
The highlights don’t end with just the run milestones. In the calendar year 2024, India has already topped the charts for the most sixes hit in Test cricket, amassing an astounding 96 sixes. This surpasses the previous record held by England, who smashed 89 sixes in 2022. Interestingly, India themselves had set a remarkable benchmark of 87 sixes in 2021, putting them at the third slot historically. With the second innings of this ongoing Test and potentially seven more innings left in the year, the sky’s the limit for the Indian side.
India’s audacious approach was highlighted by an unprecedented scoring rate of 8.22 in their innings, marking the highest ever achieved by any team in an innings where they amassed 200 or more runs. This scintillating rate eclipsed Australia’s 7.53 (where they declared at 241/2 in 32 overs) set against Pakistan in Sydney back in 2017. Furthermore, comparing first innings records, the previously unmatched rate was South Africa’s 6.80 (340/3 declared in 50 overs) in a game against Zimbabwe in Cape Town in 2005.
One can’t overlook the fiery opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Their scintillating stand of 55 runs in just 23 balls, achieving a partnership scoring rate of 14.
.34, now stands as the highest rate ever recorded in a 50-plus partnership in Test cricket. They supplanted the record held by Ben Stokes and Ben Duckett, who had set a rate of 11.86 earlier this year against the West Indies in Edgbaston.
Equally notable was the record-breaking individual performances within the same innings. This marked only the second instance where two batsmen achieved a 50 in 35 balls or fewer. Jaiswal brought up his half-century in just 31 balls, whilst KL Rahul followed closely, achieving the same milestone in 33 balls. Such a feat was last witnessed in Port of Spain against the West Indies, where Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan were the respective marvels. Jaiswal’s brisk innings now stands as the second fastest half-century by an Indian on home turf, following Rishabh Pant’s 26-ball effort against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru in 2022.
In addition to the batting heroics, the day’s play witnessed a staggering 437 runs being scored by both teams combined, ranking as the second most on Indian soil in a single day’s play. This falls behind the 470 runs scored during the second day’s play between India and Sri Lanka at the Brabourne Stadium in 2009. Further, the 437 runs also represent the highest runs scored in a day’s play in a Test match in Asia on the fourth scheduled day or beyond. The 18 wickets that fell during the day added another layer to the drama, making it the most in a Test day where over 400 runs were accumulated.
Adding to India’s day of extraordinary achievements, Ravindra Jadeja became the seventh Indian bowler to reach the milestone of 300 Test wickets. Achieving this feat at the age of 35 years and 299 days, Jadeja, however, turned out to be the oldest among the seven to reach this significant landmark. He required 17428 balls to get to the milestone, making him the second quickest to achieve it, only trailing behind R Ashwin’s 15636 deliveries.
With this milestone, Jadeja also becomes the second fastest to the dual feat of 3000+ runs and 300+ wickets in Tests, achieving it in 74 matches, a record only bested by Ian Botham who achieved it in 72 Tests. Jadeja stands as the 11th player overall and the third Indian, following Kapil Dev and R Ashwin, to reach this illustrious double. Of these eleven players, his differential of 12.39 between batting and bowling averages is second only to Imran Khan’s 14.88.
Lastly, Mominul Haque of Bangladesh, who had previously struggled on Indian soil with a batting average of 12.00 in eight innings, made a remarkable turnaround with an unbeaten 107 in the first innings. This stands as the lowest average for any batsman at the time of their maiden century in India, surpassing Ricky Ponting’s average of 12.29 before his first century in 2008 during his third tour to India.
In conclusion, Kanpur bore witness to a day of Test cricket glory, filled with astonishing records and superb individual performances, underlining the unpredictability and thrill that the longest format of the game perpetually delivers.