Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag holds the record for the most runs scored in a session in India. 

During the third Test of Sri Lanka’s tour of India in 2009, the swashbuckling opening batter slammed 133 runs in the third session on Day 2 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

Interestingly, Sehwag surpassed his own record where he scored 108 runs against South Africa in the second session on Day 3 at the M. A. Chidambaram in Chennai in 2008.

Meanwhile, England’s flamboyant left-handed batter Ben Duckett features second on the list for the most runs scored in a session in India. Duckett became the first visiting batter to score 100-plus runs in a session in India. The southpaw scored 114 runs against  hosts India during the third session on Day 2 in Rajkot in 2024.

The likes of MS Dhoni and Karun Nair also feature on the impressive list. Get the top five list of most runs scored in a session in India.

Most runs scored in a session in India

Player	Team	Runs	Against	Venue	Year
Virender Sehwag	India	133	Sri Lanka	Brabourne	2009
Ben Duckett	England	114	India	Rajkot	2024
MS Dhoni	India	109	Australia	Chennai	2013
Karun Nair	India	108	South Africa	Chennai	2016
Virender Sehwag	India	108	South Africa	Chennai	2008

Virender Sehwag | 133 vs Sri Lanka | Brabourne, 2009

Regarded as one of the most destructive openers, Virender Sehwag has the record for the most runs scored in a session in India. While Sehwag was batting at 151 against Sri Lanka at tea on Day 2 in Brabourne in 2009, the right-handed batter then hammered 133 runs in the third session as he reached unbeaten 284 at stumps. However, Sehwag was later dismissed on 293 by Muthiah Muralidaran on Day 3. Despite Sehwag’s dismissal, India posted a mammoth 726/9d in reply to Sri Lanka’s 393. The hosts bowled out Sri Lanka for 309 in their second innings to win the Test by an innings and 24 runs. 

Ben Duckett | 114 vs India | Rajkot, 2024

England’s Ben Duckett is second on the list for the most runs scored in a session in India. After the Rohit Sharma-led India posted 445 in their first innings of the Rajkot Test on Day 2 in February 2024, Ben Duckett took the attack to the opposition as he became the first visiting batter to score 100-plus runs in a session in India. Duckett (19) and Zak Crawley (6) added 31 runs for the opening wicket at tea on the second day. While Crawley later departed for 15, Duckett continued his attacking approach as he notched up his hundred off just 88 balls. The southpaw remained unbeaten on 133 as he went on to score 114 runs in the final session to help England finish the day on 207/2.

MS Dhoni | 109 vs Australia | Chennai, 2013

Former India captain MS Dhoni features third on the list for the most runs scored in a session in India. During the first Test of Australia’s tour of India in 2013, MS Dhoni slammed 109 runs in the third session on Day 3 at the M. A. Chidambaram in Chennai. While Dhoni was batting at 97 at tea on Day 3, the hard-hitting batter then amassed 109 runs in the final session to record his maiden double century in his international career. He remained unbeaten on 206 at stumps. Dhoni was later dismissed on 224 on Day 4 as India posted 572 in reply to Australia’s 380. The visitors were bundled out for 241 in their second innings. India later chased down the target in 11.3 overs to win the Chennai Test by eight wickets.

Photo credit: Alamy

Gulbarga Mystics (GMY) will square off against Mysore Warriors (MW) in Qualifier 2 of Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2022 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday, August 25. The match will start at 7:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).

Under the leadership of Karun Nair, Mysore Warriors beat Hubli Tigers by five wickets in the Eliminator to secure their place in Qualifier 2. Earlier, the Warriors finished third in the Maharaja Trophy T20 standings with 10 points, registering five wins and as many losses.

On the other hand, Bengaluru Blasters defeated Gulbarga Mystics by 44 runs in Qualifier 1 clash to book their place in the final. With six victories and four losses, the Manish Pandey-led side had earlier finished second in the standings with 12 points on the board.

The winner of the Gulbarga Mystics vs Mysore Warriors Qualifier 2 encounter will meet Bengaluru Blasters in the final of the inaugural Maharaja Trophy T20 at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.

GMY vs MW Dream11 prediction for Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20

Gulbarga Mystics have a superior head-to-head record against Mysore Warriors in Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, having secured victories on both occasions in the league phase of the ongoing tournament.

Both Gulbarga and Mysore have won three of their last five matches in the T20 tournament.

Going by their recent head-to-head record, GMY will start as favourites against MW on Thursday.

GMY vs MW Dream11 team tips for Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20

Top Tip: Best batter 

Mysore Warriors�?Pavan Deshpande will be the batter to watch out for in the second qualifier. The 32-year-old is the second highest run-scorer in the ongoing T20 tournament, amassing 396 runs in 11 matches at an average of 44, including four fifties to his name. Deshpande has already accumulated 591 fantasy points and is a worthy fantasy pick at 9.5 credits.

Top Tip: Best bowler

In the bowling department, one must pick Vidyadhar Patil of Mysore Warriors in their fantasy cricket team for this knockout fixture. The right-arm medium pacer is currently the joint highest wicket-taker in the inaugural Maharaja Trophy T20, having picked 16 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 22.25. Patil will look to add to his fantasy tally of 553 points and is available for 9 credits.

Top Tip: Best all-rounder and wicket-keeper

As far as all-rounders are concerned, Mysore Warriors' Shreyas Gopal is the top recommendation for Qualifier 2. The Bangalore-born all-rounder is currently the joint leading wicket-taker in the tournament, having claimed 16 wickets in 11 matches at an economy of 8.02. Apart from his leg-spin, Gopal has also scored 221 runs at a strike rate of 135.58. The 28-year-old all-rounder has already accrued 817 fantasy points - the most by any player involved in this match and is a quality investment at 10 credits.

For the wicket-keeper spot, Mysore Warriors�?Nihal Ullal will be the preferred choice over Krishnan Shrijith of Gulbarga Mystics. While being a safe wicket-keeper behind the stumps, Ullal has scored 271 runs in 11 matches at an average of 30.11 and a strike rate of 120.44. At 9 credits, Nihal Ullal could be a smart addition to any fantasy team, having amassed 549 fantasy points already.

GMY vs MW playing XI (probable)

Gulbarga Mystics playing XI (probable): Jeswanth Acharya, Rohan Patil, Krishnan Shrijith (wicket-keeper), Manish Pandey (captain), Manoj Bhandage, Ritesh Bhatkal, Ajay Gouda, Pranav Bhatia, Kushal Wadhwani, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Dhanush Gowda

Mysore Warriors playing XI (probable): Nihal Ullal (wicket-keeper), Karun Nair (captain), Pavan Deshpande, Shreyas Gopal, Shubhang Hegde, S Shivaraj, Naga Bharath, Bharath Dhuri, Vidyadhar Patil, Aditya Goyal, Prateek Jain

Interested in cricket betting? Click here to check out the list of top sites.

Featured photo: Mysore Warriors

India’s highest score in Test cricket came against England at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai in 2016. 

India rode on Karun Nair’s highest score in Test (303) and KL Rahul’s magnificent hundred (199) to post 759/7d in the first innings of the fifth Test. Nair became just the second Indian to smash a triple century in Test cricket after Virender Sehwag, who has hit two triple tons in cricket’s longest format.

Meanwhile, Parthiv Patel (71), Ravichandran Ashwin (67) and Ravindra Jadeja (51) also contributed to India’s mammoth total on the board against a tired-looking English bowling attack.

Earlier, opting to bat first, England registered 477 in their first innings before they were bowled out for 207 in their second innings. India won the fifth Test by an innings and 75 runs after enforcing a follow-on, thereby clinching the five-match Test series 4-0.

The second on the list of India’s highest score in Test is 726/9d which they posted against Sri Lanka in the first innings of the third Test at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai in 2009.

Virender Sehwag’s 293 and MS Dhoni’s unbeaten 100 powered the hosts to the gigantic total. The hosts won by an innings and 24 runs.

Team India have registered two more 700-plus scores in the longest format of the game. They had posted 707 against hosts Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2010 and also recorded 705/7d against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2004.

 India’s highest score in Test

Year	Score	Opposition	Ground
2016	759/7d	England	Chennai
2009	726/9d	Sri Lanka	Mumbai (BS)
2010	707	Sri Lanka	Colombo (SSC)
2009	705/9d	Australia	Sydney
2017	687/6d	Bangladesh	Hyderabad
1986	676/7	Sri Lanka	Kanpur
2004	675/5d	Pakistan	Multan
2007	664	England	The Oval
2001	657/7d	Australia	Kolkata
2018	649/9d	West Indies	Rajkot

Featured photo: ARUN SANKAR / AFP

The Yo-Yo test has become a talking point in recent years ever since it set the benchmark for selection in the Indian cricket team.

This test is considered to be one of the main reasons for the massive improvement in fitness levels among players today.

Interestingly, several cricketers including Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Mohammed Shami, Sanju Samson and recently Varun Chakravarthy have failed to clear the Yo-Yo test.

Explained: What is the Yo-Yo test?

The Yo-Yo test is a variation of the Beep test, a running aerobic fitness test that involves running between two sets of cones that are 20 metres apart (incidentally the length of a cricket pitch). 

Once the beep is sounded, a player has to reach the cone on the other side at the next beep. The player then has to return to the initial cone before the third beep sounds. Once the return trip is done, it marks the completion of a shuttle. 

The Yo-Yo test in ultra slow-mo #INDvNZ - batch 2 : @ashwinravi99 @imVkohli @SDhawan25 @ajinkyarahane88 @MdShami11 pic.twitter.com/2UkBBtZcbn

�?BCCI (@BCCI) September 18, 2016

There’s a seven second recovery period between each shuttle. As the level of each shuttle goes up, the duration benchmark for the completion of the shuttle decreases. The number of shuttles per level increases too although not mathematically. This leads to an increase in the running speed.

It starts with level 5, which consists of one shuttle, level 11 has two shuttles and so on and gets gruelling as it progresses. Level 23 is the highest.

Once a player misses two beeps, their test ends. The process is software-based and the results are recorded.

The benchmark level for the Indian cricket team is 16:1, which covers 1120 metres.

The level for New Zealand cricketers is set at 20:1.

Who invented the Yo-Yo test?

Danish soccer physiologist Dr Jens Bangsbo had introduced the Intermittent Recovery Test (Yo-Yo test) in the 1990s. The test was initially done on footballers to improve their overall fitness and aerobic capacity. The routine, however, did not follow the template of running long distances. Over a period of time, other sports started embracing the Yo-Yo test.

When was the Yo-Yo test introduced to Indian cricket team?

Former Indian cricket team’s strength and conditioning coach Shankar Basu had introduced the Yo-Yo test to the national side ahead of India’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2017.

How have Indian cricket players fared in the Yo-Yo test?

While India’s benchmark Yo-Yo score is set at 16.1, there are cricketers who have gone beyond it.

India captain Virat Kohli recorded a score of 19 in the Yo-Yo test but he has three strong competitors in domestic cricket who have recorded higher scores.

According to a report in PTI, Indian players Manish Pandey, Karun Nair and Mayank Dagar bettered Kohli’s Yo-Yo test record. While Pandey touched the 19.2 mark, Himachal Pradesh cricketer and a former member of the India Under-19 squad Mayank Dagar recorded 19.3 in his test.

Additionally, Karnataka cricketer Karun Nair has also broken Virat Kohli’s record and was called the fittest cricketer in the Indian set up by Shankar Basu. However, his test results were not revealed.

However, failing the test does not necessarily provide the full picture of the player’s fitness.

“It doesn’t take in account the cricketing ability,�?sports and exercise nutrition specialist Rishi Manuja told the Hindustan Times. “Also, one needs to be at a certain level of fitness to take part in the test. It can’t be the ultimate test of one’s sports ability.�? 

 

Featured photo: NOAH SEELAM / AFP

The Indian cricket team will take on England in a much-awaited four-match Test series starting February 5 on Friday in Chennai.

India’s rivalry with its former colonial rulers is their oldest in world cricket dating back to 1932. The two nations have already played 122 Tests against each other, producing several extraordinary batting performances in those matches.  

• Four instances when India outclassed England in Tests

As Virat Kohli’s Team India prepares to lock horns with Joe Root's England in a mouth-watering Test series, here's a look at the top five individual knocks in the history of the two cricketing giants:

Ian Bell's 235 at The Oval, London, 2011

Electing to bat first in the fourth Test against India at The Oval in 2011, Andrew Strauss-led England rode on Ian Bell’s scintillating 235 runs to post a mammoth 591/6 (declared) in their first innings. Bell had smashed 23 fours and two sixes as he registered his highest score in Test cricket. The hosts then bundled out India’s famed batting line-up for 300 and asked them to follow-on. MS Dhoni’s Team India produced an even dismal performance in their second innings as they were bowled out for 283. India lost the match by an innings and eight runs and also succumbed to a humiliating 4-0 whitewash in the four-match Test series.

 

Geoffrey Boycott's 246 not out at Headingley, Leeds, 1967

During India's tour of England in 1967, former England opener Geoffrey Boycott recorded his highest Test score of 246 not out to help the hosts declare their first innings for 550/4. In reply, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi-led India were bundled out for just 164 in their first innings and were asked to follow-on. However, skipper Pataudi led from the front as he scored 148 runs in the second innings to help the visitors post 510 in their second innings, thus setting a 125-run target that England chased down with six wickets in hand. Under the captaincy of Brian Close, the hosts whitewashed India 3-0.

Alastair Cook's 294 at Edgbaston, Birmingham, 2011

After winning the toss and elected to field first in the third Test at Edgbaston in 2011, Alaistair Cook-led England bowled out India for a paltry 224 in their first innings. In reply, England skipper Cook produced a masterclass as he smashed a 294-run knock to help the hosts post a gigantic first innings score of 710/7 (declared). England then bundled out the visitors for 244 in their second innings, thus registering a massive win by an innings and 242 runs. Team India was thrashed 4-0 by the hosts in the Test series.

 

Karun Nair's 303 not out at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, 2016

India’s Karun Nair smashed an unbeaten 303 runs against England in the fifth and final Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai in 2016. The 29-year-old had hit 32 fours and four sixes in his incredible innings. The Jodhpur-born cricketer also became only the second Indian batsman to score a triple hundred after Virender Sehwag. Nair’s innings helped the hosts post their highest total in Test cricket -- 759/7 wickets (declared) in reply to England's 477. India then bundled out England for 207, thus winning the match by 75 runs and clinching the five-match Test series 4-0. Interestingly, Nair only represented India in three more Test matches after that, with his last appearance coming in 2017 against Australia. 

Graham Gooch's 333 at Lord's, London, 1990

During India's tour of England in 1990, former England captain Graham Gooch registered his career-best Test score of 333 against India in the first Test at Lord’s. Gooch's 485-ball knock helped the hosts post a mammoth total of 653/4 (declared). In reply, India rode on centuries from Ravi Shastri (100) and captain Mohammad Azharuddin (121) to post 454 in their first innings. Gooch smashed another ton (123) in the second innings to help England declare at 272/4, setting the visitors a target of 472. However, Azhar’s Team India failed to replicate their first innings performance and were bundled out for 224, losing the Test by 247 runs. Gooch accumulated a record 456 runs in that Lord's Test, 333 in the first innings, and 123 in the second.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Arun Sankar

Punjab had a rather difficult start to their new Indian T20 League campaign, losing their opening game against Delhi; a game that went into the Super Over after both teams posted 157 runs on the board. The KL Rahul-led team, however, bounced back to winning ways in absolute style, this time getting the better of Bangalore by a whopping 97 runs (their second-highest win in tournament's history) and in their third match, despite an incredible 183-run partnership from Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, they lost out to Rajasthan.

They lost their second game on the trot, with Rohit Sharma's Mumbai coming out victorious by 48-runs. Punjab, went on a long winless run this season before pipping Bangalore in an incredible run chase. Recently, they defeated Kolkata to move up to fourth place in the tally.

On their day, Punjab are rightly capable of wreaking havoc, as they did against Bangalore and Rajasthan, where KL Rahul went on to smash record after record. As things stand, KL Rahul remains the batsman who is the highest run-scorer for Punjab in Indian T20 League 2020.

That said, here’s a list of players with most runs scored for the team in Indian T20 League 2020:

Player	Runs	Average	Strike Rate
KL Rahul	670	55.83	129.34
Mayank Agarwal	424	38.54	156.45
Nicholas Pooran	353	35.30	169.71
Chris Gayle	288	41.14	137.14
Mandeep Singh	130	21.66	119.26

Feature image courtesy: Twitter.com / Punjab

After successfully making a full recovery from the global virus, India batsman Karun Nair is ready to head to the UAE with his Indian Premier League squad Punjab.

Nair, unfortunately, became the first Indian cricketer of note to contract the deadly virus which has affected over two million people in India and forced the Indian T20 League to be held outside India for the third time in the series' history.

His most recent negative test was reportedly on August 8 and he had isolated himself over two weeks ago. However, he will still have to undergo three more tests to fulfil the protocol set by the team for the group headed to the UAE.

Those who successfully clear this process will be taking off for the UAE on August 20. Should Nair make the cut, he will set off with a smaller group from Bengaluru on a charter flight which will then pick up more players and staff from Delhi.

Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia highlighted what was at stake if there was a lapse in safety measures by saying, "We are very concerned about the safety of the players and all others involved. Even if there is one case, the Indian T20 League could be doomed."

Aside from the squad's own measures, the Indian T20 League themselves have mandated strict processes which include multiple tests and a week's quarantine after touching down in the UAE before training is allowed to commence.

On top of that, as part of the UAE government's norms, anyone entering the country will need to show a negative test result obtained within the previous 96 hours.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Indranil Mukherjee

With their crushing 3-0 whitewash of South Africa in the Freedom Trophy, India recorded their 11^th consecutive series win at home, setting a new world record. The previous best was 10, twice achieved by Australia. India last lost a Test series at home in 2012-13, when the visiting England team inflicted a 1-2 defeat.

India started their home dominance in the series that followed right after, steamrolling Australia 4-0. In fact, since February 2013, India have won 25 of their 31 Tests at home, drawing five, and losing just one, the infamous Pune Test against Australia in 2017.

Here we take a look at some of the other dominant wins by India over the course of the past six years:

India 4-0 Australia | 2013

This series win was special because this came right after the embarrassing 1-2 defeat to England. Australia had come down to India for the Border-Gavaskar trophy, and left with their tails between their legs.

In the first Test at Chennai, Australia batted first and scored a respectable 380. India responded with 572, with then skipper, MS Dhoni scoring a maiden double-century. Australia batted decently in their second innings, scoring 241 but India chased down the required 50 runs in just 11.3 overs.

The second Test saw the visitors get a massive drubbing. Australia batted first again, and strangely declared on 237-9. Pujara and Vijay scored 204 and 167 respectively to take India to 503. That total proved more than enough as Ashwin picked up a five-wicket haul to bundle out the Aussies for just 131, as they lost by an innings and 135 runs in just four days.

The third Test saw a better contest with Australia putting 408, batting first at Mohali. However, they were not prepared for the assault from a certain debutant who went by the name of Shikhar Dhawan. The Delhi lad smashed his way to 187 off 174 balls and Vijay helped himself to 153 to take India to 499. Australia put up 223 in their second essay, but it was not enough as India romped to a six-wicket win.

With the series already lost, the Aussies did not have the incentive to play for much and it showed. They batted first for the fourth time in the series, and were bowled out for 262, with Ashwin helping himself to a five-wicket haul yet again. India did not do much better, taking only a 10-run lead. In the second innings, Jadeja ran through the Aussies with a five-wicket haul to dismiss them for 164, and India knocked off the 155 runs in 31 overs.

Read: A detailed look at Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking Test series

India 3-0 New Zealand, 2016

New Zealand had a decent Test team though they may not have been best equipped to succeed in sub-continent conditions. And they found that out the hard way in their tour to India in 2016.

The first Test at Kanpur, India scored 318 batting first, and then Ashwin and Jadeja helped themselves to four and five-wicket hauls to get New Zealand out for 262. A collective batting effort from the Indians saw them rack up 377/5 before they opted to declare. This time, Ashwin did all the damage by himself, picking up 6-132 and bowling the Kiwis out for 236 to hand India a 197-run win.

The scene shifted to the Eden Gardens in Kolkata just four days later but the change of venue did nothing for New Zealand’s fortunes. India batted first again, and put up 316. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the one to wreak havoc this time round as he picked five wickets to give India a 112-run lead. The hosts put up only 263 but the bowlers shared the wickets to beat the Kiwis by 178 runs and give India the series win.

India saved the most humiliating defeat for the last Test at Indore. Batting first, captain, Virat Kohli and vice-captain, Ajinkya Rahane helped themselves to 211 and 188, respectively as India declared on 557/5. New Zealand could only muster up 299 in response with Ashwin snaring six wickets. India though, did not enforce the follow-on, and raced to 216/3, setting the Kiwis an improbable 475 to win. Needless to say, the Kiwis folded for 153, with Ashwin going one further, picking up seven of the wickets to fall.

Read: BCCI kicks up online frenzy with quirky pic of Virat Kohli

India 4-0 England, 2016-17

England’s last tour to India had been a grand success but a lot had changed since then. Many of their senior players had retired, and they had major opening woes. Add to that, India’s momentum in the past year, and you had a recipe for disaster for the visitors. And it mostly played according to script.

The first Test at Rajkot was played on a batting beauty. England started with a bang, scoring 537 batting first. India conceded an unexpected 49-run lead as they folded for 488. England made 260/3, setting India a target of 310, but did not have enough time to go for the win, as India ended with 172/6, resulting in a draw.

With a much-needed wake-up call in the first Test, India came with renewed vigour at Visakhapatnam for the second Test. They put 455 batting first, with Kohli and Pujara scoring hundreds. Ashwin stepped up for the umpteenth time as he picked five wickets to give India a 200-run lead. The hosts then doubled it in their second essay, giving England 405 to chase. England though, could not last on fourth and fifth day Indian pitches, folding for just 158 to give India a 1-0 lead.

The teams met again at Mohali for the third Test and England seemed deflated with the loss in the previous Test. The visitors put up 283 batting first. India responded with 417 as four batsmen scored half-centuries. England could not do much in the second innings as they were bowled out for 236, and India easily knocked off the 103-run target in 20 overs.

In the decisive fourth Test at Mumbai, India put up their best batting performance of the series so far. England scored a respectable 400 batting first but India were in no mood to relent. Virat Kohli scored a second double-hundred in as many months, and Murali Vijay and Jayant Yadav scored centuries to take India to 631. England seemed rattled by that effort as Ashwin ran through them and they folded for 195, handing India an innings and 36-run victory, and with that, the series.

With the series already lost, England went all out in the fifth Test, scoring a massive 477 batting first at Chennai. But India had more than enough arsenal to counter them, as KL Rahul scored 199 and Karun Nair very famously became only the second Indian batsman to score a triple century before India declared at 759/7. England, reeling from the sting, could only manage 207 as Jadeja picked up a seven-wicket haul to surrender meekly by an innings and 75 runs.

Featured image courtesy: AFP/ Punit Paranjpe