9 Most unexpected records in cricket

Cricket is a very unpredictable game, no one can predict what would happen during the course of the game. Numerous records are created and broken over and over again across all three formats of the game. Stats and numbers keep pouring in and the statistician grinds his brain behind for the sake of the novices. Obviously, stats are very interesting and act as a fuel which keeps the interest of fans burning. But, sometimes stereotypes are broken and when it happens it amazes everyone. There are some records which can make any cricket lover ponder over the fact that – is it really true? Yes, there are some unusual records held by teams and players. Let’s take a look at the 9 Most unexpected records in cricket: 1. Rahul Dravid “The Wall” – Getting bowled most times in Tests Rahul Dravid. (© WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images) The ‘Wall’ Rahul Dravid will always be remembered for his solid batting technique. His defence was among the toughest to breach for the best and fastest bowlers of the game. However, just like every precious thing loses its shine after a while; Rahul also lost his charms at the twilight of his glorious 16-year international career. He holds the record of getting out bowled in Tests for the most number of times. He was clean bowled 55 times during his career. In the last 13 innings of his career, Dravid was bowled 9 times and it was the one major aspect that dragged him into the retirement decision. Also Read – 30 Mind Boggling Cricket Facts You Did Not Know 2. Australia enforce a follow-on and lose the Test: Indian Team celebrates after winning the Historic test against Australia at Kolkata, 2001(© Allsport Australia/ALLSPORT) It has happened only on three occasions that a team which has enforced a follow- on the opposition and has lost the Test. And, Australia is the only team to have been at the receiving end on all the three occasions. The first two times it happened against their arch-rivals England and the last time in 2001 versus India in the historic Kolkata Test. The visiting Australian team was a squad of legends but couldn’t stand the charge of the Indians at the Eden Gardens. The Aussies have won the most number of Test matches and also has the highest winning percentage in Test cricket. One of the most dominant teams to have ever played the game have this unplesant record by thier name. 3. Sachin Tendulkar – More 5 wicket hauls in ODIs than Shane Warne Sachin Tendulkar has more 5-fers in ODIs than Shane Warne. (Photo Source: AFP) Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne enjoyed a very sporty rivalry between them on the field. One was at the top of the game with a bat in hand while the other ruled the spin-bowling department. It’s hard to believe that Sachin has more number of five-wicket hauls than Warne in ODIs. Tendulkar has two five-wicket hauls; one against Australia and the other against Pakistan. Shane Warne, on the other hand, has only one fifer in 50 overs cricket which he took against West Indies in the year 1996. Turns out Sachin not just edged him in their contest but with the ball as well. 4. Sanath Jayasuriya – More ODI wickets than Shane Warne Sanath Jayasuriya. (© Getty Images) Shane Warne has another bitter surprise for his fans. Sri Lankan opener Sanath Jayasuriya mostly filled in for the fifth bowler and was more of a batsman who could bowl. Jayasuriya developed himself into an effective left-arm spinner and produced many match winning spells. He had the knack of picking wickets and breaking key partnerships. And was termed a man with the golden arm. But, it is out of imagination that the most successful leg spinner of this game has lesser number of ODI wickets than him. Warne has only 293 wickets to his name in the 50 overs format whereas Jayasuriya scalped 323 wickets. 5. Muttiah Muralitharan – Most not outs in international cricket – (Tests+ODIs+T20Is): Muttiah Muralitharan. (Photo Source: AFP) Muthiah Muralitharan was a giant of this game. He has an Everest of wickets to his name. This record is unexpected in every sense as you don’t expect to see Muttiah Muralitharan’s name at the top of a batting record list. But, with 118 not out innings in international cricket (Tets + ODIs + T20Is), Murali is at the top of the list of the batsmen with most not outs in international cricket. Murali was a tail ender who batted at number 10 and 11. Usually, he would be the last man standing after the innings folded which may be the only reason why he holds this record. 6. James Anderson – Conceding most runs in an over in Tests Jimmy Anderson. (© Getty Images) James ‘Jimmy’ Anderson is one of the best modern day swing bowlers. Anderson spearheads the English bowling attack and is known for his impeccable line and length. He is tough to hit under swinging conditions. Definitely, his name would not come into our mind when we think about a bowler who has conceded the most runs in an over. But, that’s the nature of the game, James Anderson happens to be the bowler who holds this unlikely record. During the Ashes, Jimmy was smashed for 28 runs by George Bailey in the last over of the Australian innings. The attack was of brute nature as Bailey whacked 4, 6, 2, 4, 6, 6. 7. Wasim Akram – Most sixes in a Test innings Wasim Akram. (Photo Source: ESPNcricinfo Ltd) Wasim Akram was a decent lower order batsman. Pakistan were playing Zimbabwe and the opposition had posted a decent total of 375 in their first innings with the help of centuries from Grant Flower and Paul Strang. In reply, Pakistan had their backs to the wall and were in a spot of bother at 183/6 that was when their captain Wasim Akram walked in. Akram played aggressively right from the first ball and was involved with Saqlain Mushtaq in a record 313-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Waz went on to hit an unbeaten 257 off 363 balls as Pakistan finished with a total of 553. His breathtaking innings had 22 fours and 12 sixes. 8. Ajit Agarkar – Fastest fifty by Indian batsman in ODIs Ajit Agarkar. (© ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images) Former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar though was not a typical tail-ender but had the tendency of throwing his wicket away. He was always seen as a bowling all-rounder by his domestic side Mumbai and in the Indian team as well. He was embarrassingly named as ‘Bombay duck’ after he was dismissed for seven ducks in a row. Agarkar was lucky that he did not play in the in the social media age. But, he stunned everyone by hitting a record breaking 21 balls half century. He hit seven 4s and 4 sixes and scored his runs with a strike rate of 268. Unexpected isn’t it? 9. Misbah-ul-Haq – Fastest Test Century Misbah Ul Haq. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Misbah-ul-Haq has always been branded as a slow batter which earned him the nickname ‘Tuk Tuk.’ However, Mr. Tuk-Tuk holds the record for the joint fastest century in Test cricket (including the fastest fifty). He leveled the record for the fastest Test hundred set by the original Master Blaster Sir Viv Richards (56 balls) against Australia. He just went after the Aussie bowlers from the word go. His swashbuckling century was studded with 11 fours and 5 sixes. But it didn’t last the test of time as former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum in his last Test inning broke the record scoring a century in just 54 balls. Also Read – 24 Most crazy Cricket stats: Try and explain them people

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9 Most unexpected records in cricket

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