Most number of balls faced to score first run in Test cricket

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Most number of balls faced to score first run in Test cricket: Test cricket is often called the 'game of patience', where batsmen are known not only for scoring runs but also for staying on the wicket and tiring out the bowlers. Sometimes, the culmination of this patience is such that it takes several balls for the batsman to score the first run of his innings. This is a record that tells how far batsmen can go to save their wicket even under pressure. Let us know about some such interesting incidents, where batsmen played the most balls for the first run.

List of players who faced the most balls to score the first run in Test cricket

• John Murray - 79 balls
• Cheteshwar Pujara - 53 balls
• Rahul Dravid - 40 balls

1. John Murray: Waiting for 79 balls for the first run

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Most dot balls faced to score first run in Test cricket: Former England wicketkeeper-batsman John Murray holds a unique record in the history of Test cricket, where he played the most balls to score the first run of his innings. This incident is from the 1962-63 season, when he opened his account after playing 79 balls. This is an incredible achievement that shows how much importance batsmen used to give to their wickets in the cricket of that time, especially when the team is under pressure. Murray's patience immortalised him in the pages of cricket history.

Also Read: Bowlers with most five-wicket hauls in WTC history

2. Cheteshwar Pujara: Patient start of 'The Wall 2.0'

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Cheteshwar Pujara, who is known as 'The Wall' of the Indian cricket team, is known for his strong technique and calm nature. Since 2001, Pujara holds a record among top-order batsmen where he played the most balls to score the first run of his innings.

This is from a very tough match against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2018. The attack of the African bowlers - which included legends like Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel and Lungi Ngidi - was very sharp. In such an environment, Pujara played 53 balls to open his account. His patience paid off when he finally scored 50 off 179 balls and played a key role in India's historic win. This innings is a perfect example of his 'Pujarapan', where wickets are valued more than the pace of runs.

3. Rahul Dravid: Patient start of 'The Wall'

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One of the greatest batsmen of Indian cricket, Rahul Dravid has also experienced a slow start to his Test innings. In a match against Australia in Melbourne in 2007, Dravid faced 40 balls before opening his account. Batting at number three, he had to face Australian pacers like Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson and Brad Hogg. Despite this challenge, Dravid scored 114 runs off 16 balls, which shows his patience and perseverance, even though his runs were less, his stay on the wicket was important for the team.

These incidents remind us that Test cricket is not just a game of fours and sixes and scoring fast runs, but it is also a display of mental strength, patience and the art of playing according to the situation. These batsmen showed that sometimes the most important 'run' is not the one you score, but the patience you show by staying on the wicket.

Also Read: Dukes Ball Controversy: How many types of balls are used in Test cricket?

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