Most expensive overs in Test cricket

If more than eight runs are scored in an over during a Test match, then it is considered an expensive over. However, sometimes bowlers have received a beating and went on to spend double-digit runs in an over. On that note, let us take a look most expensive overs bowled in the history of Test cricket.

3. Shahid Afridi vs Harbhajan Singh (27 runs)

Veteran Pakistani batter Shahid Afridi smashed India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for 27 runs during a Test match in 2006. The right-handed smoked Harbhajan for four consecutive sixes while the fifth and sixth deliveries yielded two and one, respectively. Afridi also completed his hundred in the match with the match resulting in a draw.

2. George Bailey vs James Anderson, Keshav Maharaj vs Joe Root, and Brian Lara vs Robin Peterson (28 runs)   

Australia batter George Bailey took a liking to veteran pacer James Anderson during the third Test match in 2013. The right-handed batter smoked Anderson for 28 runs as Australia went on to win the match by 150 runs.

Keshav Maharaj achieved a similar feat against part-time spinner and former England captain Joe Root in 2020. England went on to win that match by an innings and 53 runs. West Indies legend Brian Lara was the first batter to score 28 runs in an over against South Africa spinner Robin Peterson in 2003.

1. Jasprit Bumrah vs Stuart Broad (35 runs)

Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah hammered veteran pacer Stuart Broad for 29 runs in a 35-run over (including extras), which led to his team crossing the 400-run mark during the first innings of the rescheduled Test match at Edgbaston recently. Bumrah smoked six boundaries against Broad as the English pacer looked clueless, Broad now holds the unwanted record of bowling the most expensive over in Test and T20I cricket.