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Sai Sudharsan's 14 off 139: India's Second-Slowest Test Knock Revealed

Sai Sudharsan just entered the record books for all the wrong reasons. His painstaking innings of 14 runs off 139 balls now stands as India's second-slowest Test knock ever. The young batter managed just one boundary during his marathon stay at the crease. This puts him behind only Yashpal Sharma's 13 off 157 balls against Australia back in 1981.

Key Points: Sai Sudharsan Records India Second Slowest Test Innings

  • Sudharsan faced 139 balls for just 14 runs in fourth innings chase
  • His strike rate of 10.07 ranks as India's second-slowest Test knock
  • Senuran Muthusamy dismissed Sudharsan after surviving first session
  • Aiden Markram took his eighth catch of the match setting South African record
2 min read

Sai Sudharsan records India's second-slowest Test knock

Indian batter Sai Sudharsan's 14 runs off 139 balls marks India's second-slowest Test knock with minimum 100 balls, trailing only Yashpal Sharma's 1981 record.

"Sudharsan's innings produced only a boundary, with a strike rate of 10.07 - Match Report"

Guwahati, November 26

Indian batter Sai Sudharsan's marathon innings of 14 off 139 balls against South Africa in the ongoing second Test at Guwahati marks the second-slowest Test knock for India, featuring a minimum of 100 balls, only behind Yashpal Sharma's 13 off 157 against Australia in 1981.

Sudharsan's innings in the fourth innings of the second Test produced only a boundary, with a strike rate of 10.07. After surviving the first innings on the final Day of the Test match, Senuran Muthusamy removed Sudharsan.

Muthusamy struck in the first of the second session. He bowled full outside off stump, the ball went straight, and Sudharsan got a thick outside edge, and Aiden Markram at first slip took his eighth catch of the match. Markram has grabbed eight catches in the game so far, the most by a South African fielder in a Test match.

Sudharsan didn't feature in the first Test in Kolkata. In the second Test across both innings, Sudharsan made 29 runs at an average of 14.50 and a strike rate of 16.20.

Coming to the match, Simon Harmer shines as South Africa restricts India to 90/5 at tea while chasing a massive target of 549, on Day 5 in the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.

The finger spinner stunned Indian batters with his deceptive spin variations as the hosts teetered on the brink of a batting collapse, losing five wickets in their pursuit of 549.

India still needs 459 runs to square off the match. India made 63 runs in the first session and lost three wickets. Harmer grabbed all three wickets in the session.

India started Day 5 on a precarious 27-2, with Kuldeep Yadav (4 off 23) and Sai Sudharsan (2 off 25) holding fort. Sudharsan got a reprieve in the third over when Marco Jansen's no-ball sent the ball careening off the outside edge of his bat, giving India a much-needed lifeline.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Actually, in the context of the match, he was trying to save the Test. 549 target is impossible, so he was playing for time. Sometimes survival is more important than strike rate. 🤷‍♀️
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Arjun K
Yashpal Sharma's record from 1981 still stands! Shows how difficult Test cricket really is. Sudharsan is young and will learn from this experience. Every player has tough days. 🇮🇳
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Sarah B
The real story here is Aiden Markram taking 8 catches! That's incredible fielding. Our batsmen need to learn from South Africa's discipline in the field.
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Vikram M
Let's not be too harsh on the youngster. He was playing only his second Test and facing immense pressure. The team management should back him for a few more matches before making judgments.
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Michael C
Simon Harmer's bowling was exceptional today. Sometimes you have to give credit where it's due - the opposition simply outplayed India in this Test match.

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