Top 5 highest successful run-chases by visiting countries against India in test cricket

Only twice 200+ has been successfully chased by visiting countries against India in test cricket.

Chasing a total in the fourth innings is a humongous task for any side on dry and dusty Indian tracks. Spinners dominate test cricket in India where conditions remain in favour of the slow bowlers who get a bit of movement and turn on the wicket. The pitches do not hold for long in a five-day game and that causes a big impact on the batters’ mind in the third and fourth innings of a test match.

Only two teams have managed to chase down a target above 200 successfully against India in India in test cricket over the years. India have lost only three test series in the last 25 years at home. South Africa (2000), Australia (2004), are England (2012) are the only three sides who have been successful against invincible India on their home turf.

There are only a few instances where teams have overpowered hosts and went on to get a historical win by chasing targets successfully in fourth innings of a test match against India in India. Let’s have a look at the top 5 highest successful run-chases by visiting countries against India in test cricket.

5. South Africa – 164/6 (Target- 163) Mumbai, 2000:

In the first test of South Africa’s tour of India in 2000, South Africa successfully chased down 163 against India in Mumbai. South Africa went on to score 164 with loss of six wickets in the fourth innings of the match. Opener Herschelle Gibbs (46) and all-rounder Jacques Kallis (36) played resilient knocks in the fourth innings to guide their team to a famous victory. For India, Anil Kumble picked up four wickets in the fourth innings, but it wasn’t enough to secure a win. Later on in the series, South Africa beat India by an innings and 79 runs in the second test to register a clean-sweep 2-0.

4. West Indies – 192/4 (Target- 192) CCI (Mumbai), 1966:

During West Indies’ tour of India in 1966, West Indies chased down a target of 192 successfully in the fourth innings against India in India. The match was played at the Cricket Club of India, a.k.a, Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Clive Lloyd (78) and the then captain of the side legendary all-rounder Sir Garry Sobers (53) played brilliant knocks to win the game for their side. India picked up four early wickets in the fourth innings, but the fifth wicket partnership between Lloyd and Sobers won the game for West Indies.

3. Australia – 195/4 (Target- 194) Bengaluru, 1998:

During Australia’s tour of India in 1998, Australia avoided a whitewash as they successfully chased down a target of 195 against India in the third test played in Bengaluru. Before entering the match, the hosts were leading the series 2-0, but Australia’s solid effort on the fourth day of the third test helped them avoid a whitewash. The then captain Mark Taylor smashed a brilliant century (102) in the fourth innings to guide Aussies to a magnificent win by eight wickets over India.

2. England – 208/4 (Target- 207) Delhi, 1972:

England’s highest successful run-chase against India in India in test cricket came in Delhi test in 1972. Chasing a target of 207 in the fourth innings, England lost two wickets early during the chase, but their middle-order, led by captain Tony Lewis (70), kept going and won the match by six wickets. Opener Barry Wood (45) and Tony Greig (40) also contributed to England’s win in the first test of the five-match series. This ended up as England’s only win of the series as hosts won the series 2-1.

1. West Indies – 276/5 (Target- 276) Delhi, 1987:

In the first test of the four-match series between India and West Indies in 1987, Delhi crowd witnessed the swagger of Sir Viv Richards when he smashed 109 off 111 balls to help West Indies chase down a humongous target of 276. West Indies chased down 276 with loss of five wickets in the fourth innings. This is the highest successful run-chase ever by a visiting country against India in test cricket.

(All stats updated till 4th February, 2024)

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