List of Players Dismissed on 99 (In Tests/ODIs/T20Is Formats)

Scoring a century in international cricket is a dream moment for any batsman. But imagine being dismissed for 99, just one run away from the magical three figures! It is a mixture of pride and heartbreak and a feeling that only a few players have experienced.

Over the years, many Indian greats have faced this frustrating moment, being just one run away from a century in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. From Sachin Tendulkar to Rishabh Pant, the “nervous 99” has been part of Indian cricket folklore.

In this blog, let’s take a detailed look at all the Indian batsmen who have been dismissed for 99.

List of Indian Batsmen Who Have Been Dismissed For 99 in International Cricket

Key Insights And Interesting Facts

1. Sachin Tendulkar

The “God of Cricket” Sachin Tendulkar has been dismissed for 99 three times, all in One Day Internationals, the most by any batsman in world cricket. These near misses occurred during a phase when he was in top form. Despite the unfortunate incidents, Tendulkar scored 100 international centuries. He also holds another unique record, in which he was dismissed a total of 27 times in the 90s, the most by any player in history.

2. Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly has been dismissed for 99 runs twice in Test cricket, making him the player with the most 99 runs in Tests. One of these incidents was as England captain, which shows that even the best leaders can experience the pressure of the “nervous nineties”. His classic style and patience could not save him from the tragic incident both times.

3. MS Dhoni

Known for remaining calm under pressure, MS Dhoni also faced the bitter moment of being dismissed for 99 runs in Test cricket against England. Dhoni became one of the three Indian wicketkeepers to be dismissed on 99, along with Rahul Dravid (ODI) and Rishabh Pant (Test).

4. Pankaj Roy

Pankaj Roy holds a special place in history. He became the first Indian batsman to be dismissed on 99 in the Delhi Test against Australia in 1959. What is even more surprising is that he is the only Indian to have scored a duck and a 99 in the same Test match, which shows how unpredictable the game can be.

5. Virender Sehwag

While most batsmen are dismissed painfully on 99, Virender Sehwag’s case was unique. In the Dambulla ODI against Sri Lanka in 2010, Sehwag was caught on 99. It was due to a no-ball bowled by Suraj Randiv when India had already won the match. Sehwag ruthlessly dismantled the Sri Lankan attack, and even though he didn’t officially score a century, fans still remember it as a “century in spirit”.

Also Read: List of Players Dismissed on 199 (In Tests/ODIs/T20Is Formats)

6. Murali Vijay – 99 in the fourth innings

Murali Vijay became the only Indian to be dismissed for 99 in the fourth innings of a Test match against Australia in (2014). Facing a challenging target, Vijay’s innings was full of courage, but it didn’t become one of his most memorable centuries.

7. Rahul Dravid And Rishabh Pant – The Irony Of a Keeper

Rahul Dravid and Rishabh Pant share a unique relationship, both were wicketkeepers and both were dismissed on 99. Dravid’s dismissalcame in an ODI, while Pant’s was in a Test match. For Pant, who often plays aggressively, it was particularly heart-breaking as he was on the verge of a career-defining century.

8. Kris Srikkanth – First Indian To Be Dismissed For 99 in ODIs

Before Tendulkar and Ganguly, Kris Srikkanth was the first to face this unfortunate moment in ODIs. He was dismissed LBW against England’s Mike Gatting in the 1984 Cuttack ODI, missing out on what would have been a memorable century for India.

Other Notable Mentions

• Motaganhalli Jayasinha and Ajit Wadekar are among the earlier Indian greats to have faced this tragedy in Test matches as well.
• Rusi Surti, Navjot Singh Sidhu and Rohit Sharma have also been part of this unfortunate club.
• Mohammad Azharuddin and KL Rahul are the only two Indian players to have been dismissed for 199 in Tests, adding another layer to India’s “nervous nineties” history.

Why The 90s Are Called The “Nervous Nineties”

Cricket psychologists often refer to the “nervous nineties”. It is a mental phase where a batsman shifts from focusing on the process to chasing the milestone. The pressure to reach a century, the fear of missing it and the high adrenaline, all affect the decision-making process. In short, it leads to bad shots or errors in decision-making.

Even the most calm players, from Tendulkar to Kohli, have admitted that the last few runs before 100 are the hardest to get.

Conclusion

Getting out on 99 is one of the most brutal moments in cricket. Naturally, it was a heartbreaking moment that left both the player and the fans speechless. From Sachin’s triple 99 to Sehwag’s unbeaten 99, these stories remind us that cricket is not just a game of records, but a game of emotions.

Each 99 tells a story of dominance, anxiety and the thin line between success and heartbreak.

FAQs: Questions & Answers

Q1. Who is the most dismissed on 99 in Indian cricket history?

The record for most dismissed on 99 by an Indian batsman is held by Sachin Tendulkar. He was dismissed on 99 three times, all in ODIs.

Q2. Who was the first Indian batsman to be dismissed on 99?

Pankaj Roy was the first Indian batsman to be dismissed on 99 in the Delhi Test against Australia in 1959.

Q3. Who is the only Indian batsman to remain unbeaten on 99?

Virender Sehwag is the only Indian batsman to remain unbeaten on 99. This incident happened during the Dambulla ODI against Sri Lanka in 2010 when bowler Suraj Randiv bowled a no-ball to take India to the winning score.

Q4. How many Indian wicketkeepers have been dismissed on 99?

Three Indian players have experienced this painful output, Rahul Dravid in ODIs, MS Dhoni in Tests and Rishabh Pant in Tests

Q5. Who has taken the highest output in the 90s (90-99) among all Indian players?

Again, Sachin Tendulkar tops this list with 27 outings in both Tests and ODIs in the 90s.

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