Who has the longest wait between two Test fifties for India? And it’s not Karun Nair

Amid Indian batters struggling on a rain-affected opening day of the fifth and final Test of the ongoing Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, one batter stood tall. Karun Nair. The 33-year-old batter from Rajasthan, hit 50 on Thursday (Jul 31). But what makes this one special? It had been 3,149 days since he last crossed the 50-run mark in Test cricket. But do you know who holds the record for the longest gap between two fifties in Test cricket for India? That record goes to Parthiv Patel, who waited 4,426 days between his fourth and fifth Test half-centuries.

Interestingly, Patel never managed to reach the three-figure mark in his entire Test career. He made his debut under then coach John Wright and captain Sourav Ganguly against England at Nottingham in 2002. Parthiv’s fourth Test fifty came against Australia in Chennai, where he scored 57 in a drawn match. His next Test fifty arrived more than 12 years later, against England at Mohali in 2017. Chasing a target of 103, Parthiv opened the innings, top-scored and stayed unbeaten to guide India to victory.

Meanwhile, Nair’s Test journey began much later, in 2016, when he debuted against England at Mohali. Just a few matches later, he etched his name in cricket history by scoring 303 not out against the same opponent in Chennai, becoming only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to hit a triple century in Tests.

Since that triple ton, though, big scores have been hard to come by. On Thursday (Jul 31) at The Oval, walking in with India needing stability, he batted with patience and control, staying unbeaten on 52 at the end of days' play. His innings helped India pass the 200-run mark and included a 50-run stand with Washington Sundar. India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate praised him after the play, saying, “His tempo and rhythm were very good. He can absorb pressure, and today he read the conditions perfectly.”