Ranking top 5 fourth innings knocks by Indian cricketers in Test cricket history

Test cricket has come a long way, but one thing still stands among all. It’s the challenge of batting in the fourth innings of the match, which is considered as one of the most difficult things to do in cricket. This is the reason why any fine knock played by a batsman in the fourth innings is rated very highly. The technique of any player in general is judged by his performance in the longest format of the game.

Recently, Kyle Mayers of West Indies was in the limelight for scoring a double century on debut in the fourth innings. His knock helped the caribbean team to chase a huge target of 395 runs. In the same light, let’s a look at some of those innings by Indian cricketers in particular.

Ranking top 5 fourth innings knocks by Indian cricketers in Test cricket history

5. Virat Kohli – 141 vs Australia, 2014

Virat Kohli set the stage on fire when he smashed centuries in both innings in his very first Test as captain. India were without the services of their regular captain MS Dhoni in the first match of their tour to Australia in 2014-15. In this match played in Adelaide, Australia posted a huge total of 517/7 in the first innings. For them, captain Michael Clarke, Steve Smith and David Warner scored hundreds.

India were bowled out for 444 runs in the first innings with captain Virat Kohli hitting a brilliant ton. Virat scored 115 runs off 184 balls in this innings. Australia declared their second innings at a score of 290/5 and set a target of 364 runs.

In response, India lost wickets Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara very early. But then, skipper Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay put together one of the most memorable partnerships of Indian Test cricket history. They added 185 for the third wicket, and with a score of 242/2 at one stage, India were on a roll to script a historic win. However, they lost their last 8 wickets in an interval of just 73 runs. Virat played a superb innings of 141 runs off 175 balls albeit in a losing cause. Murali Vijay missed his hundred falling for 99 runs off 234 balls. India were all-out for 315 runs and lost the match by 48 runs.   

4. Sunil Gavaskar – 221 vs England, 1979

Sunil Gavaskar is the only Indian player to hit a double century in fourth innings of a Test match. This knock came against England in the year 1979, when India were chasing a gigantic target of 438 runs. 

India started well with Sunil Gavaskar and Chetan Chauhan adding 213 runs for the first wicket. When Sunil Gavaskar got out as India’s fourth wicket after scoring 221 runs, India were still in hunt for a successful chase. However, quick wickets later on diminished India’s hopes for a victory.

India eventually finished at 429/8 in 150.5 overs, and fell short by just 10 runs to what could have been the biggest chase in Test history. Sunil Gavaskar stayed on crease for 490 minutes in his 443-ball marathon innings. He was awarded player of the match for his incredible effort.

3. Rishabh Pant –  89* vs Australia, 2021

Rishabh Pant played the most defining knock of his career, when he led India to a historic win ending Australia’s 32-years run at Gabba, Brisbane. This win came on the back of endless challenges for India on and off the field with the team missing key players and facing racial slurs from spectators. Adding to that, India were all out for their lowest total of 36 runs in the first Test and went on to win the series with a major contribution from Rishabh Pant.    

In the fourth Test of the series, while chasing a target of 328 runs, India got a good start with Shubman Gill scoring 91 and Cheteswar Pujara playing a knock of 211-ball 56 runs. Rishabh Pant pushed India for an incredible win hitting 89 runs off 138 balls. India chased down the target in the final moments of the day, and registered a victory by 3 wickets.

India won their second consecutive series in Australia by a margin of 2-1. Rishabh Pant was awarded player of the match for his match-winning knock in the fourth Test.

2. Sachin Tendulkar – 103* vs England, 2008

This victory for India against England in the Chennai Test had much more meaning than just a win. The reason was horrific Mumbai blasts happened just a few months ago which stunned the whole country. Sachin Tendulkar scored a wonderful century in the fourth innings of the match, and helped India chase down a target of 387 runs. 

England captain Andrew Strauss hit tons in both the innings and ensured the team were ahead in the game. In the fourth innings for India, Virender Sehwag gave the team an explosive start hitting 83 runs off just 68 balls including 11 fours and 4 sixes. Later on, Sachin Tendulkar with his 196-ball 103 run unbeaten knock and Yuvraj singh with 85-run innings took India to a 6-wicket win.

Virender Sehwag was awarded player of the match for putting India on a path to victory. Sachin Tendulkar described his knock as the most meaningful century of his career. He also dedicated this win to the victims of Mumbai 26/11 attacks.

1. Gundappa Viswanath – 112* vs West Indies, 1976

India had chased a massive target of 406 runs against West Indies in the Port of Spain Test in the year 1976. This is still the biggest target chased down by India in the fourth innings. 

Gundappa Viswanath hit a brilliant century for India in the chase scoring 112 runs with the help of 15 fours. Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar too played an important role in the victory with his superb ton of 102 runs. 

Viv Richards and Alvin Kalicharan had hit hundreds for West Indies in the match. In response, India looked in a fine position to win for most part of their innings. India successfully chased down the total at the loss of 4 wickets in 147 overs. India were able to win this match in a great fashion despite the dominance of the West Indian team at that time.