The Indian cricket team has a great history in Test cricket, filled with amazing players like Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli. These talented batsmen have done incredible things in the game. But even the best have faced the sad moment of getting out when they are just one run away from scoring 100, especially at 99 runs. This disappointment is often referred to as “99 out in cricket.”
In total, 11 Indian batsmen have had this sad experience, with one player getting out at 99 runs twice. Let’s look at some of these moments that made fans and players feel disappointed.
Instances of Indian Batsmen Getting Out on 99
Pankaj Roy vs. Australia, 1959 (Delhi)
Pankaj Roy was the first Indian batsman to get out on 99 runs. In a match against Australia in Delhi, he played well but fell just short. India scored 404 runs in their second innings, but Australia won by an innings and 127 runs, making this a tough start for Roy.
Motganhalli Jaisimha vs. Pakistan, 1960 (Kanpur)
In a thrilling game in Kanpur, Jaisimha was close to a century but got out at 99 runs. Pakistan scored 335 runs first, but India fought back, thanks to Jaisimha’s effort. The match ended in a draw, but Jaisimha’s near-century was remembered.
Ajit Wadekar vs. Australia, 1967 (Melbourne)
Ajit Wadekar was the third Indian to get out at 99. He scored 99 runs off 146 balls in Melbourne. Despite his hard work, India lost by an innings and four runs, showing how hard it is to turn good starts into big scores.
Rusi Surti vs. New Zealand, 1968 (Auckland)
Rusi Surti scored 99 runs in a match where India won. In Auckland, his innings helped India set a big target of 374 runs for New Zealand. The Indian bowlers did well, and New Zealand was out for just 101 runs, giving India a win by 272 runs. Surti’s score was missed, but it helped the team succeed.
Navjot Singh Sidhu vs. Sri Lanka, 1994 (Bengaluru)
In a strong game against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru, Sidhu scored 99 runs, helping India declare their innings at 541/6. His innings, along with a century from Mohammad Azharuddin, helped India win by an innings and 95 runs.
Sourav Ganguly vs. Sri Lanka, 1997 (Nagpur)
When Sri Lanka visited in 1997, Sourav Ganguly also got out at 99 runs during the Nagpur Test. He scored 99 runs off 188 balls, hitting 13 boundaries. The match ended in a draw, disappointing fans who wanted to see him reach 100.
Sourav Ganguly vs. England, 2002 (Nottingham)
Ganguly made history by being the only Indian batsman to get out on 99 runs twice. In the Nottingham Test against England, he scored 99 runs in India’s second innings. The match ended in a draw, adding another sad chapter to Ganguly’s career.
Virender Sehwag vs. Sri Lanka, 2010 (Colombo)
In 2010, during a high-scoring Test in Colombo, Virender Sehwag scored 99 runs off just 101 balls. His exciting batting helped India reach 707 runs. However, the match ended in a draw, leaving Sehwag just shy of a century.
MS Dhoni vs. England, 2012 (Nagpur)
In the Nagpur Test against England, MS Dhoni became the first Indian wicketkeeper to get out on 99 runs. His innings of 99 came in a tough match that ended in a draw, showing his importance to the team, even if he fell short of 100.
Murali Vijay vs. Australia, 2014 (Adelaide)
During the Adelaide Test against Australia, Murali Vijay scored 99 runs, putting India in a good position. However, India lost the match by 48 runs, showing how every run counts in cricket.
Rishabh Pant vs. New Zealand, 2024 (Bengaluru)
In a recent Test against New Zealand, Rishabh Pant became the second Indian wicketkeeper to be out on 99 runs. He hit nine fours and five sixes, but India couldn’t win, showing the excitement and disappointment of getting so close.
Conclusion
The stories of Indian batsmen getting out on 99 serve as reminders of how close they come to glory but also face disappointment in cricket. Each of these players has made a big impact on Indian cricket. Even though 99 out in cricket may seem sad, their hard work and talent continue to inspire young cricketers. The journey from 99 to 100 is not just about runs; it’s about the dedication and spirit they bring to the game.
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