Stat Attack: Most Runs Off An Over In Test Cricket

Hardik Pandya, India’s newest Test player, has entered the record books after smashing a staggering 26 runs off one over on the second day of the ongoing third Test against Sri Lanka at Pallekele. The 23-year old launched the stunning assault against left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara, hitting the 30-year old for two fours and three sixes off the first five balls before failing to score off the last ball.

Pandya was batting on 57 when the Sri Lankan spinner came to bowl and raced to 83  after the first five balls. But with the team nine down, Pandya did not go for the big shot on the final delivery and instead wanted to take a single off the final delivery but missed it and along with it, also missed the chance of equalling or breaking the record of most runs in an over in Test cricket which is 28. The 26-run over, nevertheless, helped him to become the Indian player with most runs in an over in the longest format of the game.

The record is jointly held by batting legend Brian Lara and George Bailey. Lara scored 28 runs in an over against South Africa in 2003 when he slammed Robin Peterson for 4 fours and a couple of sixes. The feat was replicated in 2013 Ashes when Bailey cracked 28 runs off James Anderson’s over. Pandya is joint-fourth on the list with former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum and Lara.

Here is the list of most runs off one over in Test cricket:

(*L is for leg bye: Bert Sutcliffe and RW Blair scored 25 runs in an 8-ball over)

(*Stats updated till 13 August 2017)