Key Takeaways:
Tushar Deshpande made history in Indian cricket by scoring the highest runs as a no.11 batter in first-class cricket.
His partnership with Tanush Kotian set a significant record in the Ranji Trophy history.
Deshpande's knock also marked the fourth-highest score by a no.11 batter in first-class cricket.
During the second quarter-final at the Ranji Trophy 2023/24, Mumbai cricketer Tushar Deshpande created history in Indian cricket by recording the highest runs by a no.11 batter in Indian first-class cricket history.
In the thrilling first-innings battle between Mumbai and Baroda in the Ranji Trophy 2023/24 quarter-final, while the hosts Mumbai scored 384 runs, Baroda replied with 348 runs.
In their second innings, Mumbai were battling on 337/9 when Tushar Deshpande joined Tanush Kotian and set up an unforgettable partnership. They had a 232-run partnership for the tenth wicket, while Kotian scored 120 not out, and Deshpande scored 123 runs before his dismissal.
Highest score by an Indian no.11 batter in first-class cricket: Tushar Deshpande broke Shute Banerjee’s record
With his 123 runs knock, where the left-handed no.11 batter hit ten fours and eight sixes, Tushar Deshpande broke the 78-year-old record for the highest runs by an Indian no.11 batter in first-class cricket history.
Shute Banerjee was the previous record holder with 121 runs for the Indians against Surrey at The Oval in 1946.
Meanwhile, Deshpande’s 123 runs knock also became the fourth-highest score by a no.11 batter in the history of first-class cricket.
First-class cricket record: Highest individual scores by no.11 batters
Player (Team) | Runs scored | Opposition | Venue | Year |
Peter Smith (Essex) | 163 | Derbyshire | Chesterfield | 1947 |
Ali Raza (Lahore Region Whites) | 126* | Hyderabad Region | Lahore | 2004 |
Razor Smith (Marylebone Cricket Club) | 126 | Barbados | Bridgetown | 1913 |
Tushar Deshpande (Mumbai) | 123 | Baroda | Mumbai | 2024 |
Shute Banerjee (Indians) | 121 | Surrey | The Oval | 1946 |
(Updated as of 27 February 2024)
Tushar Deshpande and Tanush Kotian also recorded the second-highest Ranji Trophy partnership for the 10th wicket
On the other hand, the 232-run tenth-wicket partnership between Tushar Deshpande and Tanush Kotian was the second-highest 10th-wicket partnership in the Ranji Trophy history. The record is a 233-run partnership between Delhi players Ajay Sharma and Maninder Singh against Bombay in the second Semi-Final at the Ranji Trophy 1991/92.
Also, the 232-run partnership became the sixth-highest 10th-wicket partnership in first-class cricket history.
With the help of that giant last-wicket partnership, Mumbai scored 569 runs in their second innings and set up the giant fourth-innings target of 606 runs for Baroda. The match ended with Baroda’s second innings total of 121/3 as Mumbai advanced to the Semi-final due to their 36-run first-innings lead.
FAQ
What is the highest score by an Indian no.11 batter in first-class cricket?
Tushar Deshpande broke the record with his remarkable 123-run knock, surpassing Shute Banerjee's 78-year-old record of 121 runs.
