5 fastest Triple Centuries in Test Cricket

Karun Nair etched his name into the history books with a fine triple ton

When Karun Nair scored his maiden century, Michael Atherton on air commented about how it is the culmination of years of practice and hard work as you dream about scoring a Test ton. Little did Nair know, or anyone else for that matter, how his century would be dwarfed by his eventual score as he broke record after record in a Test match that also witnessed India scoring its highest ever Test total.

Nair waltzed into the record books becoming only the second Indian triple centurion after Virender Sehwag, who scored two of these monster tons. Nair also registered the third highest maiden hundred, his 303 standing behind Garry Sobers’ 365* and RB Simpson’s 311. Nair also became the sixth youngest Test triple centurion and he managed all of this in only his third Test, after finding a spot on the team only because multiple players were ruled out due to injuries.

However, amidst all this, it is important to not lose focus on something else that was sensational about Nair’s triple century. Of the thirty triple centuries in Test history, we have information on 27 knocks about the number of balls taken to reach the landmark. Nair’s is, phenomenally for such a young cricketer, the fourth fastest triple century. Here we take a look at the top 5 fastest triple centuries in terms of balls.

#1 Virender Sehwag – 278 balls, 2008, Chennai

Virender Sehwag redefined batting in his own style

This innings will also be remembered for being the only 300-plus score in Test history that ended on a strike-rate higher than 100. Sehwag’s 319 of 304 balls, studded with 42 fours and 5 sixes in Chennai against South Africa boasted of a strike-rate of 104.93. Even more fascinating is the fact that he scored his triple ton under pressure after South Africa had posted a mammoth 540.

Sehwag’s triple ton came against a bowling attack that had Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Morne Morkel and Jacques Kallis. The second highest score behind Sehwag’s triple ton in the innings was Rahul Dravid’s 111 and the third highest was only 39, showing the importance of Sehwag’s massive innings. India managed to escape with a draw despite conceding in excess of 500 in the South African first innings.