Scoring a century in Test cricket is a remarkable achievement for any batter. However, the heartbreak of getting dismissed just one run short of a hundred can leave a lasting impact. Over the years, many Indian batters have experienced this bittersweet moment. Here's a look at the Indian players who were dismissed for 99 in Test cricket, a score that symbolizes both brilliance and the agony of missing out on a century by the narrowest of margins.
Rishabh Pant narrowly missed scoring his seventh Test century for India when he was dismissed for 99 during the first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. His 99-run innings came at a crucial moment for India in 2024, but he fell just short of reaching a well-deserved hundred. Pant, known for his aggressive batting, is the latest player to be out on 99 in Test cricket.
India’s legendary captain MS Dhoni also experienced the pain of getting out on 99. Playing against England in Nagpur in 2012, Dhoni fell just short of a century, much to the dismay of his supporters.
Ajit Wadekar, known for his solid batting technique, was another batter to fall just short of the century mark. In the 1967 Melbourne Test against Australia, Wadekar reached 99 before being dismissed, missing out on a memorable ton Down Under.
Murali Vijay, one of India’s dependable openers, narrowly missed a century against Australia in Adelaide in 2014, being dismissed for 99 after battling hard against a challenging bowling attack.
Navjot Singh Sidhu was known for his fearless batting, but even the ‘Sixer Sidhu’ couldn't escape the fate of being dismissed for 99. Playing against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru in 1994, Sidhu fell just one short of a ton.
Known for his explosive batting, Virender Sehwag narrowly missed a century against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2010. His dismissal for 99 left fans wondering what could have been had he reached that hundred.
Sourav Ganguly, one of India’s most successful captains, faced this unfortunate scenario twice in his career. The first time was in 1997 against Sri Lanka in Nagpur, where he was dismissed for 99. Next time against England in Nottingham in 2002.