Top 5 highest individual scores by Indian batsmen in Test cricket

Only thrice 300 has been breached by Indian batsmen in the history of Test cricket.

From Vinoo Mankad to Vijay Merchant, Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid to Virender Sehwag and then VVS Laxman to Virat Kohli, India have produced several batsmen over the years. Most of these players have done a magnificent job at international level and put themselves in cricket record books. Apart from these big names, there have been a few other batsmen who have made their name with marathon innings in tests.

When you think of the highest individual score ever in Tests, name of a West Indies legend, Brian Lara pops up in the mind with his quadruple century against England. There have been times when several cricketers have come close to the mark, but couldn’t achieve it. While talking about Indian batsmen, only two of them have notched up triple centuries in the longest format of the game. Let’s have a look at the five highest individual scores by the Indian batsmen in Test cricket.

5. VVS Laxman – 281 vs Australia, Kolkata 2001:

This remains an iconic test knock and a masterclass of a batting performance with a lot of patience in the longest format of the game. VVS Laxman’s 281 was a trend-setter for India and immortalized a generation of players. Laxman’s 281 helped India come back from behind and end Australia’s 16-match win streak in tests. Laxman scored 281 runs in 452 balls with 44 fours and added a marathon partnership of 376 runs for the 5th wicket along with Rahul Dravid while following on Australia’s lead at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

VVS Laxman’s 281 was then the highest individual score by an Indian batsman until Virender Sehwag broke it.

4. Virender Sehwag – 293 vs Sri Lanka, Mumbai (CCI) 2009:

Having already made two triple centuries in test cricket, fans were expecting Virender Sehwag to go for one more when he almost came closer to his record third against Sri Lanka at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai in 2009. Virender Sehwag fell short by just 7 runs when he tried to go over the top of Muttiah Muralitharan but was caught and bowled. Sehwag scored 293 runs in 254 balls with 40 fours and 7 huge sixes. India posted 726 runs and defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 24 runs.

3. Karun Nair – 303* vs England, Chennai 2016:

Karun Nair played only six test matches in his career, but he will be always remembered for his triple century in tests, which he hit against England in 2016. He joined Virender Sehwag in the elusive list of Indian batsmen with a triple century in tests. In the fifth test between India and England in Chennai, Karun Nair was dropped at slip early in his innings, and that one dropped catch proved costly for the Englishmen. Nair went on to score an unbeaten 303 in 381 balls with help of 32 fours and four sixes.

On course, he also became first ever Indian batsman to convert maiden test hundred into a triple, and overall third batsman to do so after Gary Sobers (365) and Bob Simpson (311).

2. Virender Sehwag – 309 vs Pakistan, Multan 2004:

This innings will remain a special one for Indian cricket and its fans as Virender Sehwag became first ever triple-centurion for the country. In the first test of India’s tour of Pakistan in 2004 played in Multan, Virender Sehwag went on to hit 309 runs in 375 balls with 39 fours and 6 sixes in his innings. This innings also earned Sehwag a special tag ‘Multan ka Sultan’ (Prince of Multan). The match is also infamously known for the then captain Rahul Dravid’s declaration when Sachin Tendulkar was batting at 194*.

India piled 675 runs in the first innings and then bowled out Pakistan twice for 407 and 216 to win the match by an innings and 52 runs.

1. Virender Sehwag – 319 vs South Africa, Chennai 2008:

Who could break Virender Sehwag’s records? It’s the man himself. Four years following his triple ton against Pakistan, Virender Sehwag racked up another, but this time against South Africa and at home conditions. Virender Sehwag became third batsman to join the elite company of Sir Don Bradman and Brian Lara with two triple tons in Test cricket. Later on, Chris Gayle also joined the elusive list, but Sehwag had a special year in 2008 with the bat.

He went on to register the highest individual score for his country in Test cricket. Sehwag completed his triple century in just 278 balls, which is the fastest by any batsman in the history of the longest format of the game. At the end of his innings, he scored 319 runs in 304 balls with 42 fours and five sixes.

(All stats updated till 31st December, 2023)

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