The Nervous 90s: 6 Indian Batters’ Run Out Stories in Test Cricket

In the captivating world of Test cricket, the journey from 90 to 100 runs is filled with anticipation and anxiety for batsmen. The recent instance of Shubman Gill falling prey to the nerves in the nineties during the ongoing third Test between India and England is a poignant reminder of the challenges posed by the final frontier before reaching the coveted century mark.

Gill’s dismissal in the 90s makes him the sixth Indian batsman and the 47th overall to be run out in the nervous nineties in a Test innings. Let’s delve into the heart-wrenching stories of the five other Indian cricketers who endured a similar fate.

Shubman Gill against England in Rajkot, 2024

The most recent addition to this unfortunate list is Shubman Gill, who, after a duck in the first innings, displayed resilience in the second innings in Rajkot. Despite playing some exquisite shots, a communication mix-up with Kuldeep Yadav led to Gill’s run-out on 91, crushing his dreams of back-to-back Test centuries.

MS Dhoni against England in Nagpur, 2012

MS Dhoni (Photo Source: Twitter)

The former Indian skipper MS Dhoni faced the nervous nineties five times in Test cricket, including his knock of 99 against England in Nagpur in 2012. Dhoni’s valiant effort to anchor the innings ended in a heartbreaking run-out in the penultimate over of the day, falling just one run short of the century mark.

Ajay Jadeja against West Indies in Antigua, 1997

Ajay Jadeja (Photo Source: Twitter)

In 1997, Ajay Jadeja, known for his prowess in ODIs, showcased his Test skills with a brilliant innings of 96 against the West Indies in Antigua. However, a spectacular fielding effort by Stuart Williams ended Jadeja’s innings just four runs shy of what could have been his maiden Test hundred.

Dilip Vengsarkar against Sri Lanka in Chennai, 1982

Dilip Vengsarkar (Photo Source: Twitter)

Dilip Vengsarkar, another legend in Indian cricket, faced a run-out tragedy in the 90s during a one-off Test against Sri Lanka in Chennai in 1982. Partnering with Sunil Gavaskar, Vengsarkar looked set for a century until a miscommunication with Gavaskar led to his dismissal at 90.

Motganhalli Jaisimha against Pakistan in Kanpur, 1960

Motganhalli Jaisimha (Photo Source: Twitter)

In the 1960 Test against Pakistan in Kanpur, Motganhalli Jaisimha battled for over 500 minutes, only to be run out on 99. His resilient innings contributed significantly to India surpassing Pakistan’s total, but Jaisimha fell agonizingly short of his maiden Test century.

Vinoo Mankad against West Indies in Port of Spain, 1953

Vinoo Mankad (Photo Source: Twitter)

Vinoo Mankad, one of India’s greatest all-rounders, faced the run-out heartbreak in the 90s during the third Test of India’s 1953 tour of the West Indies. Despite his valiant effort of scoring 96, India declared their innings following Mankad’s dismissal, and the match ultimately ended in a draw.

The nervous 90s continue to be a challenging phase for batsmen, and Indian cricketers have had their share of heartbreaks in this zone. The tales of these six cricketers serve as a testament to the unpredictable nature of Test cricket, where even the most accomplished players can fall victim to the nervous nineties.

Want to stay ahead in the world of cricket? Explore our comprehensive Blog Post, insightful analysis, and the latest updates on all your favorite fixtures and more at JeetBuzz News. Don’t miss out and dive into the action now!