During every generation in Indian cricket, there have been many superstars who not only scored runs, but also broke the opposition team with their long and combative innings. Playing balls in Test cricket is not only defense, but it is also a real test of patience, technology and mental strength. Recently Cheteshwar Pujara said goodbye to international cricket. Pujara will always be remembered for his “wall -like batting”. On this occasion, today we know about those Indian batsmen who have faced the most balls in a Test innings and Pujara’s name is also included in this list.
3. Navjot Singh Sidhu – 201 runs off 491 balls (West Indies, 1997)
Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu was famous for his aggressive style from the beginning, but the innings he played in 1997 showed that Sidhu also has a patient game. Sidhu scored 201 runs in the match played against West Indies in Port of Spain, facing 491 balls, which still comes in the top-3 in the case of balls in a Test innings. This innings worked to tired the West Indies and India scored 436 runs and strengthened the match. Even though this match was a draw, this innings of Sidhu is still counted in his most memorable innings.
2. Rahul Dravid – 270 runs off 495 balls (Pakistan, 2004)
Rahul Dravid is also known as cricket fans ‘The Wall’. Dravid played several memorable innings while playing at number three in his generation but in 2004, in the Rawalpindi Test against Pakistan, he held a end for 495 balls and played a marathon innings of 270 runs which also included 34 fours. His innings laid the foundation of a huge score of 600 runs against Pakistan. In the end, due to his historic innings, India got a big win by innings and 131 runs. He also got a man of the match for this patient batting and his innings is still recorded in Indian Test history and he is also second in terms of playing the most balls in an innings of Tests.
1. Cheteshwar Pujara – 202 runs off 525 balls (Australia, 2017)
After Rahul Dravid’s retirement, the Indian team got a new ‘wall’ as Cheteshwar Pujara in Test cricket, but on August 24, 2025, Pujara also retired from international cricket, due to which now Team India is looking for the new number three but it will not be easy to fill the place that Pujara has vacated. Pujara played several historical innings in his Test career but his 202 -run innings played against Australia in the Ranchi Test was special in many ways. He faced 525 balls during his innings, which is a record in Indian Test history, it is the highest balls played by any Indian batsman in a Test innings and Pujara is also on top of the list due to this. Pujara harassed the Australian bowlers by staying on the pitch for hours in that match. India declared an innings for 603 runs and the match was drawn.
