Stats: Hardik Pandya becomes the first Indian to score 100 runs in a session before Lunch

Hardik Pandya put on a stunning show on the opening session on the 2nd day of the Pallekele Test against Sri Lanka as the Indian all-rounder amassed his maiden Test century. Pandya, who walked out to bat at No.8 in the final moments on the first day, remained unbeaten on a solitary run. He carried on his innings on the 2nd day with wickets falling at other end and went after the Sri Lankan bowlers.

Pandya played some massive shots during the innings, especially in an over bowled by Malinda Pushpakumara in which he scored 26 runs, an Indian record. He was unbeaten on 108 at end of the Lunch session which was extended by 30 minutes as India were 9 down at the scheduled time of lunch break. The 24-year-old scored 107 runs in this session to become the first Indian player to score 100 runs in a session in Test cricket before Lunch on any day.

In 2006, Virender Sehwag scored 99 runs in the morning session on the first day of Gros Islet Test, which are the previous most runs scored by any Indian in a session before Lunch in Tests. Had Sehwag scored 100 in that game, he could have been one of the six players till date to score a century before Lunch on an opening day.

Pandya’s tally of 107 runs in the session is the 12th most by any player in a session before Lunch in Tests. A total of 23 instances are recorded till date where a player aggregated 100 runs in a session before Lunch on any day in Test cricket.

Pandya’s was the 4th of the 23 instances where batsmen scored 100 runs before Lunch in an extended session. Brian Lara scored 100+ runs twice and both the times in a session extended by 30 minutes like in Pandya’s case. Mark Taylor scored 103 runs before Lunch versus Pakistan in 1998/99 in a session which was extended by 41 minutes.

Most runs scored by a player in a session before Lunch in Test cricket:

(Stats as on August 13, 2017)