Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Srinath’s Unofficial 156 Kph Delivery Remains Cricket Mystery
Javagal Srinath was one of India’s fastest bowlers before speed became a regular part of cricket broadcasts.
During India’s 1996-97 tour of South Africa, a report said he bowled one delivery at 156 kph.
That speed would have been faster than the recorded top speeds of Allan Donald and Lance Klusener at the time.
However, the delivery was never officially recorded, and the match and date were not confirmed.
This means the story could be true, but cricket records cannot prove it.
Srinath was still officially measured at 148 kph in 1998 and 149 kph at the 1999 World Cup.
He continued to be a major fast bowler after shoulder surgery.
He took 315 ODI wickets, the most by an Indian fast bowler.
His career helped establish India as a team with a genuine pace spearhead.
Javagal Srinath was reportedly timed at 156 kph during India’s 1996-97 South Africa tour.
The delivery was cited by an Indian news service but was never officially logged with a confirmed match or date.
Srinath’s publicly recorded speeds included 148 kph against Australia in 1998 and 149 kph at the 1999 World Cup.
He took 87 County Championship wickets for Gloucestershire in 1995 and 18 wickets in India’s 1996 home series against South Africa.
Srinath remains India’s leading fast-bowling ODI wicket-taker, with 315 wickets.
- Who
- Javagal Srinath, India’s former fast bowler, along with comparisons to Allan Donald and Lance Klusener.
- What
- A disputed report claims Srinath bowled a 156 kph delivery that was never officially recorded.
- When
- The alleged delivery came between December 1996 and February 1997; Srinath turned 57 on the Monday referenced in the article.
- Where
- During India’s tour of South Africa.
- Why
- The claim remains disputed because the reported speed was not preserved in an official record and the match details were never confirmed.
The 156 Kph Claim Is Credible
The 156 Kph Claim Is Unverified
Whether Srinath exceeded 150 kph
The 156 Kph Claim Is Credible
A major Indian news service reportedly measured one Srinath delivery at 156 kph, and a later Cricinfo column said his speeds during the 1996-97 period exceeded 150 kph.
The 156 Kph Claim Is Unverified
The alleged delivery was never officially recorded, while the exact match and date remain unknown.
Comparison with Donald and Klusener
The 156 Kph Claim Is Credible
If the reported reading is accepted, Srinath’s delivery surpassed Klusener’s recorded 154 kph and was faster than both South African bowlers’ peak speeds discussed in the article.
The 156 Kph Claim Is Unverified
The comparison depends on an unconfirmed report, whereas the 154 kph figure for Klusener and other publicly recorded speeds have clearer documentation.
Srinath’s status as an express bowler
The 156 Kph Claim Is Credible
His later readings of 148 and 149 kph, along with his performances against South Africa and Australia, support the view that he was genuinely among the fastest bowlers of his era.
The 156 Kph Claim Is Unverified
The available official numbers do not establish that Srinath reached 156 kph, so the figure may be a product of unreliable 1990s speed-gun reporting.
- Reported top speed
- 156 kph, according to an Indian news report cited in a later Cricinfo column.
- Official status
- The delivery was never officially logged, and its exact date and match were not confirmed.
- 1998 speed
- Srinath reached 148 kph against Australia after rotator-cuff surgery.
- 1999 World Cup speed
- He reached 149 kph and was the tournament’s second-fastest bowler behind Shoaib Akhtar.
- Gloucestershire season
- Srinath took 87 County Championship wickets in 1995, including first-class figures of 9 for 76.
- ODI wickets
- He holds India’s record for most ODI wickets by a fast bowler, with 315.
- World Cup wickets
- He took 44 wickets across four World Cups, including 16 at the 2003 World Cup.