India has traditionally been a team that has underperformed with the bat in the lower order. However, this trend is slowly changing in recent months. Nevertheless, in the past too, we have had some notable contributions by the tail-enders, especially in Tests. In the current era, it is a requirement that the tail-enders also need to have decent batting skills. On that note, here, we take a look at two popular Indians who have scored a fifty in Tests while batting at No.11.
1) Zaheer Khan – 75
Balls: 115 || Opposition: Bangladesh || Venue: Dhaka || Year: 2004
Zaheer Khan played 92 Tests for India and his best score with the bat was 75. This came while he batted at No.11. While Zaheer was known for his survival skills with the bat, he was not popular for his handy contributions.
Sachin Tendulkar, the highest run-scorer in Tests, ended his career with the best individual knock of 248*. This would have not been possible if not for the 133-run partnership for the last wicket with Zaheer Khan. The left-arm pacer scored 10 boundaries and 2 sixes to get to this brilliant knock. Had he stayed longer, maybe, Sachin could have got a triple century.
2) Mohammed Shami – 51*
Balls: 81 || Opposition: England || Venue: Nottingham || Year: 2014
Mohammed Shami is one of the popular Indians who have scored a fifty in Tests while batting at No.11. It was the first Test of the India Tour of England in 2014. India did well to score 457 in the first innings and one of the important contributions was by Shami at No.11.
Even Bhuvneshwar Kumar hit a fifty in that game and if he had not fallen, Shami could have gotten more. Shami’s knock included six boundaries and a six. Recently, with Jasprit Bumrah, too, Shami had stitched a vital partnership against England at the Lord’s. This was another occasion when the West Bengal scored a half-century in his Test career.
