Top 5 highest individual scores by Indian batsmen at No. 8 in test cricket

13 Indian batsmen have hit centuries while batting at No. 8 in test cricket.

Batting in test cricket is considered one of the toughest tasks in cricket. Unlike limited-overs cricket, test cricket allows the bowlers to set more aggressive fields and the red ball swings, seams, and spins much more than the white ball.

The challenge intensifies further when batting in the lower order, as the role of the batters shifts from simply surviving and accumulating runs to adding as many runs as quickly as possible. The lower-order batters often have to bat with the tailenders.

Despite these challenges, a few Indian lower-order batsmen have played some remarkable innings. In this article, we will take a look at the top five highest individual scores by Indian batsmen while batting at No. 8 in test cricket.

Top five highest individual scores by Indian batsmen at No. 8 in test cricket:

5. Kapil Dev – 116 runs vs England, 1982

India’s greatest all-rounder, Kapil Dev hit a brilliant century in the first innings of the Kanpur test of England’s tour of India in 1982. Replying to England’s 378-run total, Kapil’s gritty century pushed India to 377/7.

Dev’s knock of 116 runs came off only 98 balls and included 16 fours and two sixes. He was India’s highest run-scorer in the game. The test ended in a draw.

4. Wriddhiman Saha – 117 runs vs Australia, 2017

Former India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha played a crucial knock in the third test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2017 in Ranchi. With the series tied at 1-1 after the first two tests, India found themselves in a precarious position at 328/6, responding to Australia’s total of 451.

Saha’s knock of 117 runs, which included eight fours and a six, helped India reach 603 runs in their first innings. He stitched a 199-run partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara for the seventh wicket. The match ended in a draw.

3. Ravichandran Ashwin – 124 runs vs West Indies, 2013

Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin registered an impressive ton in the first innings of the India vs West Indies test in Kolkata in 2013. Ashwin’s 124-run knock pushed India to 453 in their first innings.

Ashwin’s innings included 11 boundaries. He added 280 runs with Rohit Sharma for the seventh wicket. His innings helped India win the test match by an innings and 51 runs.

2. MS Dhoni – 132* runs vs South Africa, 2010

Former India captain MS Dhoni starred for the hosts in the second test of South Africa’s tour of India 2010 with 132 runs at Eden Gardens. Batting on day 2, Dhoni’s innings helped India post a huge score of 643 runs in their first innings.

His knock of 132 runs off 187 balls included 12 fours and three sixes. India ultimately won the game by an innings and 57 runs.

1. MS Dhoni – 144 runs vs West Indies, 2011

MS Dhoni holds the record for the highest test score by an Indian batsman while batting at No. 8 with his 144-run knock in 2011 against West Indies in Kolkata.

Batting first, Dhoni’s century propelled India to a daunting total of 631 runs. His blistering knock, which came off 175 balls, consisted of 10 fours and five sixes. India eventually won the test by an innings and 15 runs.

(All stats are updated till 28th December 2024)

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