Test cricket is known for being slow and steady. Batsmen carefully build their scores, and bowlers try to patiently get them out. It’s a game of strategy that can last for five whole days. So, when a batsman suddenly goes wild and smashes a bowler for a huge number of runs in just one over, it’s incredibly exciting!
An over in cricket has only six legal deliveries. Scoring a lot of runs in such a short time is very rare in Tests. It completely changes the feeling of the game and leaves fans in shock. This record isn’t just about power; it’s about a moment of total domination.
The record for the most runs in a single over in Test cricket history is a surprising one. It belongs to a player you might not expect! Let’s find out who holds this amazing record and look at the other players who came close.
Most Runs Scored in a Single Test Over
Here is a quick look at the batsmen who have hit the most runs in a single over in the history of Test matches.
| Rank | Runs Scored | Batsman | Bowler | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35 | Jasprit Bumrah | Stuart Broad | 2022 |
| 2 | 28 | Brian Lara | Robin Peterson | 2003 |
| 3 | 28 | George Bailey | James Anderson | 2013 |
| 4 | 28 | Keshav Maharaj | Joe Root | 2020 |
| 5 | 27 | Shahid Afridi | Harbhajan Singh | 2006 |
Top 10 Largest Cricket Stadiums In The World By Boundary And Capacity
1. Jasprit Bumrah – 35 Runs
The man who holds the world record for the most runs in a Test over is not a famous batsman. It’s the Indian fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah! In 2022, while captaining India against England, he created history.
| Batsman | Bowler | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | Stuart Broad | 35 |
Background and Key Moments:
- Achievement: Bumrah scored 35 runs off an over from the legendary English bowler Stuart Broad. Bumrah himself scored 29 of those runs.
- The Over Breakdown: The over was pure chaos! It went like this: 4, 5 wides, 6 (off a no-ball), 4, 4, 4, 6, 1. Broad completely lost his rhythm, and Bumrah took full advantage.
- Statistical Analysis: This was a shocking moment because Bumrah is a tail-ender, meaning he usually bats last and isn’t known for scoring runs. This explosive over proved that anything can happen in cricket!
2. Brian Lara – 28 Runs
Before Bumrah’s crazy over, this record belonged to one of the greatest batsmen ever, Brian Lara. The West Indian genius was famous for his stylish and aggressive batting, and he showed it all in 2003.
| Batsman | Bowler | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Lara | Robin Peterson | 28 |
Background and Key Moments:
- Achievement: Lara hit South African spinner Robin Peterson for 28 runs in a single over, a record that stood for almost two decades.
- The Over Breakdown: He smashed the ball all over the park. The over went: 4, 6, 6, 4, 4, 4. It was a masterclass in attacking a spin bowler.
- Statistical Analysis: This moment captured what made Lara so special. He had the unique ability to completely dominate a bowler and change the game in just a few minutes.
3. George Bailey – 28 Runs
During the 2013 Ashes series, a big rivalry between Australia and England, George Bailey did something amazing. He tied Brian Lara’s record against one of England’s best bowlers, James Anderson.
| Batsman | Bowler | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| George Bailey | James Anderson | 28 |
Background and Key Moments:
- Achievement: In just his third Test match, Bailey hit Anderson for 28 runs to help Australia push for a big win.
- The Over Breakdown: Bailey was on fire! The over read: 4, 6, 2, 4, 6, 6. He was hitting the ball so cleanly against a world-class fast bowler.
- Statistical Analysis: This over was a key moment in the Ashes series. It showed Australia’s total dominance and confidence against their biggest rivals.
4. Keshav Maharaj – 28 Runs
In another surprising twist, South African spinner Keshav Maharaj joined the 28-run club in 2020. Even more surprising, he did it against England’s captain and part-time spinner, Joe Root.
| Batsman | Bowler | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Keshav Maharaj | Joe Root | 28 |
Background and Key Moments:
- Achievement: Maharaj, another player known more for his bowling, hit 24 runs himself, and with 4 byes, the over cost England 28 runs.
- The Over Breakdown: It was a wild over! Maharaj smashed three fours and two sixes in a row: 4, 4, 4, 6, 6. The last ball went for 4 byes.
- Statistical Analysis: This showed that even when a team is struggling, one player can create a moment of excitement and fight back, even if it’s just for one over.
5. Shahid Afridi – 27 Runs
Shahid Afridi, known as “Boom Boom” for his explosive hitting, had to be on this list! In a fiery match between rivals Pakistan and India in 2006, Afridi went after Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh.
| Batsman | Bowler | Runs |
|---|---|---|
| Shahid Afridi | Harbhajan Singh | 27 |
Background and Key Moments:
- Achievement: Afridi hit Harbhajan for four huge sixes in a row, scoring 27 runs in the over.
- The Over Breakdown: It was pure power hitting. The over went: 6, 6, 6, 6, 2, 1. The crowd went absolutely crazy!
- Statistical Analysis: This was classic Afridi. He was one of the most exciting and unpredictable batsmen ever, capable of hitting any bowler out of the park at any time.
Conclusion
In a game as long as Test cricket, moments of sudden, explosive action are rare treasures. Jasprit Bumrah’s record-breaking 35-run over is the most shocking of them all, proving that anyone can be a hero with the bat.
From a legendary batsman like Brian Lara to surprise heroes like Bumrah, these players have given us some of the most exciting moments in cricket history.
Who holds the world record for the most runs in one over in Test cricket?
The world record for most runs in a Test over is held by India’s Jasprit Bumrah, who scored 35 runs (29 with the bat and 6 as extras) off an over from England’s Stuart Broad in 2022.
How many runs did Brian Lara score in his record over?
Brian Lara held the previous record by scoring 28 runs off an over from South Africa’s Robin Peterson back in 2003.
