India’s five highest successful chases in Test cricket
One of the most difficult tasks in cricket is to hunt down a big total on the fifth day in the final innings of a Test match. It is the reason why the chases are celebrated for and are remembered for many years. In the fourth Test against Australia at the Gabba, India chased down 328 to complete a 2-1 series victory. The Gabba chase is one of India’s highest successful run chases in Test cricket. Here are the top five instances.
264/3 vs Sri Lanka, Kandy, 2001
In the Kandy Test of 2001, India led Sri Lanka by 42 runs after completion of their first innings. Muttiah Muralitharan’s enterprising 67 helped Sri Lanka set a target of 264 for India in the fourth innings. Captain Sourav Ganguly’s unbeaten 98 and Rahul Dravid’s 75 saw India winning the Test match with seven wickets remaining. Muralitharan could take only two wickets despite bowling 25 overs in the fourth innings.
#ThrowbackThursday Muttiah Muralitharan scored his only career half-century when Sri Lanka played India in Kandy in 2001! pic.twitter.com/n8vEyZM1Xf
— ICC (@ICC) August 10, 2017
276/5 vs West Indies, Delhi, 2011
In the first Test of the 2011 tour in Delhi, West Indies grabbed the advantage as they ensured a 95-run lead over India in the first inning. Test debutant Ravichandran Ashwin spun his web around the Caribbean batsman and his spell of 6/47 set a target of 276 runs for India. Half-centuries from Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman helped India secure victory by five wickets.
329/7 vs Australia, Brisbane, 2021
Australia had not lost at the Gabba, Brisbane for 33 years and the Indian team managed to breach their fortress. A valiant effort from Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur allowed India to come close to Australia’s first innings total. In the third innings, Aussies were dismissed for 294 as Mohammed Siraj claimed his maiden Test 5-fer and Thakur picked up a four-wicket haul. In the chase of 328, Shubman Gill scored 95 and Cheteshwar Pujara contributed with 56. Rishabh Pant was the hero of the chase with his unbeaten 89. India managed to win the game in the last hour of the fifth day.
A moment to savour for India! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/vSogSJdqIw
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 19, 2021
387/4 vs England, Chennai, 2008
Andrew Strauss’ 123 at the top allowed England to take a 77-run lead over India in this Test match in Chennai in 2008. England declared in the second innings to set India a target of 387 runs. Virender Sehwag and his marauding batting saw India off to a flyer. His 83 from 68 balls was well complemented by his opening partner Gautam Gambhir struck 66. After a brief collapse, Sachin Tendulkar 103 not out and Yuvraj Singh 85 not out completed a memorable chase for India. Tendulkar later dedicated this innings to the victims of 2008 terror attack in Mumbai.
A Match Winning & Emotional Hundred#OnThisDay in 2008, Tendulkar (103*) scored his 41st Test Hundred & along with the help of Yuvraj (85*), Sehwag (83) & Gmabhir (66) secured a win for India while chasing 387 v England in Chennai.
Tendulkar dedicated the wn to 26/11 victims. pic.twitter.com/X5ZznZKDY0
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) December 15, 2018
406/4 vs West Indies, Port of Spain, 1976
In 1976, the Indian team created history by winning a Test match after chasing a target of more than 400 runs. This match was against West Indies at the Port of Spain, Trinidad. India conceded a lead of 131 runs in the first innings. The declaration from Clive Lloyd set India a target of 403 runs. This West Indian team had three spinners in their ranks. The Indian batsman took the full toll as Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Viswanath celebrated centuries. Mohinder Amarnath’s 85 and unbeaten 49 from Brijesh Patel ensured India’s highest successful chase in Test cricket.
