Longest innings by a visiting batter in India
Playing long innings requires a lot of resilience from a batter. It goes to show solid skills and the ability to play dot balls for a longer period of a player. In the Test format, these qualities are required, unlike the limited-overs format where the game moves quickly. Over the years, a few classy players have come to India and showcased their patience at the crease and they feature in this article.
Let’s take a look at the longest innings by a visiting batter in India (By Balls) (Top 3):
3. Andrew Hall (454)
The Proteas toured India for a two-match Test series in December 2004. The tourists batted first in the opening game in Kanpur and Andrew Hall occupied the crease for 588 minutes. The right-handed batter opened the innings and scored 163 off 454 with the help of 17 fours. Courtesy of his knock, South Africa posted a mammoth 510/9d on the board in their first innings. The match ended up in a draw, with Hall winning the Player of the Match award.
2. Hashim Amla (473)
Another former South African batter Hashim Amla occupies the second spot in this chart. The legendary player displayed a perfect blockathon in Nagpur in 2010. The Proteas toured the Indian shores for a two-match Test and three-match ODI series in the 2009/10 season. The tourists batted first in the opener and reached a massive total of 558/6d. Amla, batting at no. 3, struck 253 off 473, which included 22 fours. Graeme Smith and his side won the contest by an innings and six runs with Amla grabbing the Player of the Match award.
1. Younis Khan (504)
Former Pakistani batter Younis Khan is right at the top of the list. The right-handed batter played a gritty knock in Bangalore in 2005. The Pakistani side toured India for a six-match ODI and three-match Test series. In the third and final Test, the visitors batted first and posted 570 on the board in their first innings. Batting at no. 3, Younis hammered 267 off 504 with 32 fours and one maximum. Pakistan won the game by 168 runs to also level the series 1-1. For his outstanding knock, Younis was adjudged as the Player of the Match.
