IND vs ENG: Five most memorable Test knocks in India in Tests from last decade
India and England have been involved in quite a few thrilling matches over the last decade which witnessed some of the greatest batting performances ever. At times, those knocks went in vain as the batsmen lacked support from their partners. However, such innings did help in spicing up the fixture and brought the best out of the players in the remainder of the series. Top five knocks played in India in India against England Tests in the last decade:
Cheteshwar Pujara – 206*, Ahmedabad in 2012:
The four-match series in the 2012-13 season commenced in Ahmedabad and Pujara made it a memorable one for himself. Batting first, India amassed 521 runs in the first innings largely due to Pujara’s unbeaten 206-run knock. During his 513-minute stay, India’s number three hit 21 fours. England crumbled twice in response and could set a target of only 77 runs which the hosts chased down without much fuss.
Sir Alastair Cook – 190, Kolkata in 2012:
On an inconsistent pitch at the Eden Gardens, the England captain Sir Alastair Cook put on a master-class by handling the Indian spinners and forced his way to 190 in a near 500-minute stay. Cook’s knock came to an end after he was involved in a runout when he tried to avoid getting hit by the ball. Cook helped his team earn a 200+ lead even after India made 316 while batting first. England went on to win the game by 7 wickets and take a series-winning lead of 2-1.
Virat Kohli – 235, Mumbai in 2016:
India came into the 4th Test with a lead of 2-0 in hand. England made 400 while batting first and India responded strongly. However, a middle-order collapse left them at 364/7 and a tricky possibility of batting on the final day. But the Indian skipper Virat Kohli played a marathon innings along with Jayant Yadav.
Their partnership of 241 took India’s lead over 200 runs and resulted in an innings win. Virat Kohli finished with 235 from 340 balls which was spread across 515 minutes. This became India’s highest individual Test score against England only to be surpassed by Karun Nair with an unbeaten triple ton in the next Test.
Kevin Pietersen – 186, Mumbai in 2012:
Kevin Pietersen put on a batting master-class at the Wankhede Stadium as he kept sending the 3-man spin attack of India to the fence. After India made 327 in the first innings, Pietersen’s double century stand with skipper Sir Alastair Cook became an important one in helping the visitors earn a decent lead. Pietersen’s 186 came in only 233 balls with 20 fours and four maximums. He overcame his struggles against the left-arm spinners, especially Pragyan Ojha in order to play a sensational knock but eventually got out to the same bowler.
Karun Nair – 303* – Chennai in 2016:
By the time the fifth Test between the two teams began, India were already leading by 3-0 but even then England put up a good total of 477 runs on the board at the Chepauk batting first. In response, India were in a bit of trouble at 211/3 when Karun Nair came out to bat and what followed was history. Nair slammed an unbeaten 303 off just 381 balls with 32 fours and four sixes to propel the team’s score to a mammoth 759. India ended up winning the match by an innings and 75 runs.
