The 10 Weirdest Records Held by Team India in Cricket
Cricket is a game full of fascinating records, some of which are truly bizarre and unexpected. Over the years, Team India has achieved remarkable feats, but some records stand out for their sheer weirdness. From strange dismissals to unexpected victories, these records show the quirky side of Indian cricket. Here are the 10 weirdest records held by Team India:
1. Most Runs in a Test Series Without a Hundred
Rahul Dravid, known as “The Wall,” is regarded as one of India’s greatest Test batsmen. However, he holds a unique record that showcases both his consistency and an unusual statistical quirk.
The Record:
During India’s 2011 Test series against England, Dravid scored 602 runs in 8 innings but did not register a single century. This remains the highest number of runs scored by a batsman in a single Test series without reaching the three-figure mark.
Why It’s Weird:
Most batsmen who score 600+ runs in a Test series manage at least one century. Dravid’s ability to consistently score without converting into hundreds makes this a strange record.
2. Winning a Test Without Scoring 200 in Either Innings
Test matches often require teams to post big totals to secure a win. However, India defied logic in 2018 against South Africa.
The Record:
India won the 2018 Johannesburg Test despite scoring 187 & 247 in their two innings. This is one of the rare instances where a team won a Test match without crossing the 200-run mark in either innings.
Why It’s Weird:
Low scores typically lead to defeats, but India’s bowling attack bundled South Africa out for 194 & 177, securing a 63-run win on a difficult pitch.
3. Only Team to Dismiss a Side Without Bowling a Single Ball in an Innings
This is perhaps one of the most bizarre records in cricket history.
The Record:
During a 1996 Test match against the West Indies, India bowled out their opposition for 0/0 declared in the second innings. Due to an unsafe pitch at Sabina Park, West Indies decided to forfeit their second innings without facing a ball, making India the only team in history to “dismiss” an opposition without bowling.
Why It’s Weird:
A team getting dismissed without actually batting or facing a delivery? This record is as strange as it gets!
4. Most Ducks in an ODI Innings
Getting out for a duck is embarrassing, but what happens when multiple players go back without scoring?
The Record:
India holds the record for the most ducks in a single ODI innings—6 ducks—against South Africa in 2022.
Why It’s Weird:
With such a strong batting lineup, it’s rare for half the team to go back without troubling the scorers. This match turned into a nightmare for Indian batsmen.
5. Only Team to Win an ODI After Being 5 Down for Less Than 20 Runs
Recovering from a top-order collapse is always challenging, but India pulled off a miraculous comeback.
The Record:
In 2017 against Sri Lanka, India was reeling at 29/5 while chasing 231. However, an incredible partnership between MS Dhoni and Bhuvneshwar Kumar helped India win the game comfortably.
Why It’s Weird:
At 29/5, most teams accept defeat. But India turned things around, making this an exceptional record.
6. Fastest Team to Lose a Test Match
India has achieved some of the fastest victories, but they also hold an embarrassing record.
The Record:
India lost a Test match in just 5 hours and 53 minutes against England in 1952, making it one of the shortest completed Tests ever.
Why It’s Weird:
A Test match is supposed to last up to 5 days, yet India was bowled out twice within a single day’s play, setting this unfortunate record.
7. Conceding the Most Extras in an ODI Innings
Bowling discipline is key, but India once had a match where extras made up a big chunk of the opposition’s score.
The Record:
In an ODI against Pakistan in 2004, India conceded 38 extras (including 21 wides and 16 no-balls).
Why It’s Weird:
Giving away nearly 40 free runs due to poor bowling discipline is unusual, especially for a top cricketing nation.
8. Most Players Getting Out Bowled in an Innings
Bowlers love hitting the stumps, but India holds a strange batting record related to this.
The Record:
During a 1952 Test against England, all 10 Indian batters were dismissed “bowled,” a unique occurrence in Test cricket.
Why It’s Weird:
While edges and catches are common dismissals, every player getting bowled in an innings shows extreme dominance by the bowlers.
9. Most 300+ Totals in ODIs Without Winning a World Cup
India is known for its explosive batting in ODIs but had a long phase of underachievement.
The Record:
India has over 130 instances of scoring 300+ runs in ODIs but has won only two World Cups (1983 & 2011).
Why It’s Weird:
Despite scoring massive totals regularly, India often fell short in crucial World Cup games.
10. Only Team to Play 1000 ODIs
India became the first team in cricket history to play 1000 ODIs in 2022.
Why It’s Weird:
No other team has reached this milestone, highlighting India’s legacy and involvement in ODI cricket over decades.
Final Thoughts
Cricket is a sport filled with records, but these quirky ones make India’s cricketing history even more fascinating. Whether it’s winning in unusual circumstances or suffering strange defeats, Team India has done it all!
Which of these records do you find the most bizarre? Let us know in the comments!