Fastest Team 100 in Test Cricket

Overview

On September 30, 2024, during the second Test match against Bangladesh at Green Park Stadium, Kanpur, India set the record for the fastest team 100 runs in Test Cricket history. The Indian team, led by batsmen Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, achieved this feat in just 10.1 overs. This surpassed their previous record of 12.2 overs set against the West Indies in 2023. The aggressive batting approach in the latter innings helped India to dominate the game and solidify their status in cricket history for aggressive starts in Test matches.

Recent Developments

India’s blistering performance on Day 4 of the second Test match against Bangladesh witnessed several records being shattered:

• Fastest Team 50: India achieved 50 runs in just 3 overs, a record previously held by England, which took 4.2 overs in a match against West Indies at Trent Bridge in 2023.
• Fastest Team 100: India continued their aggressive batting to record the fastest team century in Test cricket, reaching 100 runs in just 10.1 overs.
• Key Contributors: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma were pivotal, with Jaiswal scoring 68 runs off 41 balls and Rohit adding a quick 23 off 19 balls.
• Continued Momentum: Shubman Gill, who came in after Rohit’s dismissal, kept the tempo with a rapid 11 runs off 11 balls, ensuring the team maintained a run rate of over 10 per over.

Timeline

• 2023: India's previous fastest team 100 record was set in July 2023 against the West Indies, where they scored 100 runs in 12.2 overs at Port of Spain. This feat was built on similar aggressive top-order batting, with both Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal playing key roles.
• September 30, 2024: India vs. Bangladesh, 2nd Test, Kanpur
  • Morning Session: Persistent rain and poor ground conditions had delayed the match's progress, pushing both teams to innovate strategies for a result-oriented game.
  • Initial Overs: Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal opened for India with an explosive batting style akin to T20 cricket. Rohit scored 23 off 19 balls, with his innings including a mix of singles and boundaries.
  • 3rd Over: India reached the fastest team 50 in Test history, taking just 18 balls to do so, a new world record.
  • 10.1 Overs: The opening partnership saw Jaiswal taking an aggressive stance, hitting boundaries and rotating the strike efficiently. India reached 100 runs in just 10.1 overs, breathing fire on the field and obliterating previous records. Jaiswal scored the majority of runs with his quickfire 68 off 41 balls.
  • Post 100 Runs: After reaching the 100-mark, Shubman Gill continued the momentum even after the fall of Sharma's wicket, ensuring the team's dominance continued into the latter part of the session.
  • Match Context: The quick runs were imperative as the match had bad-light conditions anticipated for the final day. The strategy was devised to put pressure on the Bangladesh team for a swift target chase or to force a follow-on.
  • Declarations and Follow-ups: The rapid scoring strategy enabled India to declare quickly, setting ambitious targets for their opponents with enough overs remaining to push for a result.

Summary

India’s performance in the Test series against Bangladesh at Kanpur has etched a new chapter in Test cricket records. Achieving the fastest team 100 in just 10.1 overs, India showcased an aggressive approach rarely seen in the conventional format of the game. Key players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma paved the way with their explosive start, setting new benchmarks and demonstrating adaptability and innovation in Test cricket. This match will be remembered for its groundbreaking pace and audacious gameplay strategy.

References

1. India Breaks Record for Fastest Team 50 and 100 in Tests
2. India's Record Against Bangladesh
3. Fastest Team 100 List
4. India vs West Indies Faster Team Century
5. India’s Aggressive Batting Strategies
6. Kanpur Records Smashed
7. Cricket Historical Records
8. Fastest Team Century Records
9. Match Highlights
10. India’s Win Strategies