The feared "nervous nineties" are cricket's greatest psychological enigma. As batsmen approach the 90s, the memory of a century in sight produces ghastly pressure. Some players live for it, but others will inevitably crumble under the weight of it. This thorough analysis profiles the Most Nervous Nineties in Test Cricket - Full Player List, and tells us which greats choked the hardest when success was within reach. The nervous nineties are that ruthless hallway between 90 and 99 where fantasies can be destroyed. Mental fortitude distinguishes excellence from mediocrity here. While batsmen do get through their nineties, there are also players tormented by chronic disappointment. These scores are tales of human weakness, pressure, and narrow perceptions which make up cricket careers. Most Nervous Nineties in Test Cricket - Full Player List Player Span Matches Innings Runs Highest Score Centuries Nervous Nineties SR Waugh (AUS) 1985-2004 168 260 10927 200 32 10 R Dravid (ICC/IND) 1996-2012 164 286 13288 270 36 10 SR Tendulkar (IND) 1989-2013 200 329 15921 248* 51 10 MJ Slater (AUS) 1993-2001 74 131 5312 219 14 9 AI Kallicharran (WI) 1972-1981 66 109 4399 187 12 8 AB de Villiers (SA) 2004-2018 114 191 8765 278* 22 8 Inzamam-ul-Haq (ICC/PAK) 1992-2007 120 200 8830 329 25 8 RR Pant (IND) 2018-2025 44 77 3200 159* 8 7 ML Hayden (AUS) 1994-2009 103 184 8625 380 30 7 AN Cook (ENG) 2006-2018 161 291 12472 294 33 7 Most Nervous Nineties in Test Cricket - Full Player List Detailed Analysis Stephen Waugh Image Source : AFP The Australian captain’s mental toughness was legendary, yet even “Tugga” faced demons in the nineties. His ten dismissals between 90-99 reveal the universal nature of this pressure. Despite these setbacks, Waugh’s conversion rate remained impressive with 32 Test centuries. Also Read | Who Has Hit the Most Sixes in Test Cricket? Rahul Dravid Image Source : Getty Images "The Wall" also fought with the same ten anxious nineties. Dravid's technical skill sometimes proved to be his undoing in the nineties, when excessive thinking took over natural cricketing sense. His technical correctness could not save him from this odd pressure on even level-headed players. Sachin Tendulkar Image Source : BCCI The Master Blaster's anxious nineties irked cricket enthusiasts across the globe. Tendulkar, with 51 Test centuries, found it impossible to break free from this mind game. He was losing against quality bowling pairs themselves feeling threatened when individual milestones became super high in their priority list. Michael Slater Image Source : Getty Images Slater's aggressive approach frequently came back to haunt him in the nineties, inherent attacking tendencies being weakness in achieving centuries. Nine dismissals between 90-99 were a big reason for his failures. His approach needed major adjustments for nervous ninety scenarios. Alvin Kallicharran Image Source : PA Photos The eight troubled nineties of West Indian legend coincided with cricket's golden age. Sharing the spotlight with super-batmen such as Viv Richards, Kallicharran also had the added burden of heavy-scoring. His understated elegance sometimes fell short in pressure cricket. AB de Villiers Image Source : PA Photos The South African rebel's eight anxious nineties dismay many observers. Prized for innovative shot-finding and mental strength, de Villiers at times succumbed to the pressure. His own versatility at times came back to haunt him, inducing paralysis in his decision-making with too many scoring channels available. Inzamam-ul-Haq Image Source : AFP The eight impatient nineties of the Pakistani captain were a manifestation of his team's overall unreliability. Inzamam's laid-back nature, while good at constructing innings, at times failed to bring the fervour in getting to centurion status. His laid-back nature hid immense pressure within at critical junctures. Rishabh Pant Image Source : BCCI In spite of his relatively brief career to date, Pant has already added seven nervous nineties. His aggressive style of play, though exhilarating, is prone to be sendbacked at important times. The young wicket-keeper's choice of shots is in doubt while trying for centuries. Matthew Hayden Image Source : Reuters The seven nervous nineties of the Australian opener appear demure considering his aggressive image. Hayden's attacking mode of play at times proved counterproductive in the nineties, with patience being necessary. His attacking nature required skillful management during tight situations. Alastair Cook Image Source : Getty Imges England's most productive left-handed opening batsman was given seven anxious ninety moments throughout his career. Cook's conservative strategy, although ultimately productive, sometimes generated overthinking moments. The responsibility of being England's batting opener made those moments much more charged in high-stakes series. Also Read | Shortest Cricketers of All Time : Ft. Prithvi Shaw & Temba Bavuma Conclusion The Most Nervous Nineties in Test Cricket - Full Player List brings out the very human aspect of cricket. Not even Tendulkar, Dravid, and Waugh, as great as they were, were immune to this mental trap. These figures remind us that cricket is still a game of the mind where pressure can get the better of any player, no matter how good. Nervous nineties are the thin line between success and disaster at the top of cricket.