5 highest Test scores by India which did not feature a single 50 

Runs in the Test format are always considered to be the pinnacle in cricket and players around the world are well aware of the fact that despite all the accolades they pile up in other formats, runs in the longest format of the game will always be the parameter to judge their worth.

Having said this, no other format tests your endurance and skills level as much as the swinging red ball and for when the runs are accumulated in testing conditions, a sense of accomplishment encompasses the player.

However, despite all the personal accomplishments, cricket has always been a team sport, but, a few innings are much more than mere numbers.

Now, let us take a look at the top five scores by the Indian team which does not feature even a single half-century.

#5 India vs England, 242, 1979/80

Back in 1979, England toured India for a one-off Test match which was played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

India captain Gundappa Viswanath won the toss and decided to bat first. The English bowlers, led by the enigmatic Ian Botham, wreaked havoc as they bundled out the hosts for a measly 242 in their first innings.

Sunil Gavaskar was the leading run-scorer for India with 49 as the rest of the batting surrendered meekly. Botham picked up six wickets.

England responded with 296 as the Indians faltered once again in their second essay when they were knocked over for 149.

The visitors romped home with 10 wickets in hand and won the series in the process.

#4 India vs Australia, 246, 2004/05

Yuvraj Singh top scored with 46

For all his accomplishments in the game, Steve Waugh never could win a Test series in India and hence coined the term 'final frontier'.

Back in 2004, Adam Gilchrist led the Aussies to a Test series in India and the first match was played out at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Michael Clarke made his Test debut and made an immediate impact with a mighty impressive 151.

Australia were dismissed for 474 in their first innings.

In reply, the Indians never got going as they were shot out for 246 in their first innings. Yuvraj Singh top scored with 46 as the Indians conceded a significant lead and never recovered in the entire match.

Chasing a target of 456, the hosts fell short by 217 runs.

#3 India vs South Africa, 247, 2017/18

Ajinkya Rahane top-scored with 48 runs

Many believed that this particular tour of South Africa was India's best chance to rewrite history and get a series win under their belt. However, few muddled team selections and a few not so very clever moments in the day saw the visitors concede the series in the second Test.

However, led by Virat Kohli, the Indian team walked out with a lot of intent and played with a lot of purpose in the third and final Test. They batted first on a treacherous pitch, scored 187, then restricted South Africa to 194.

They toiled in the second innings and accumulated 247 runs and showed a lot of heart on a pitch which was spitting fire.

Ajinkya Rahane top-scored with 48 runs and this one bridge was too long for the hosts to cross as they lost the match by 63 runs.

#2 India vs West Indies, 258, 1961/62

Polly Umrigar and Salim Durani were the joint highest run-scorers for India with 48 each

Back in 1961, India toured West Indies and in the third match against the visitors were invited to bat first on a spicy pitch.

The West Indies bowling attack vindicated the decision of their captain as they shot out the visitors for a paltry 258 runs in their first innings.

Polly Umrigar and Salim Durani were the joint highest run-scorers for India with 48 each.

The West Indies responded with 475 and this first innings deficit became the difference between the teams in the end as India were bowled out for 187 in their second innings.

The West Indies won the match by a comprehensive margin of innings and 30 runs.

#1 India vs New Zealand, 296/8, 1995/96

Nayan Mongia and Ajay Jadeja top scored with 45 each

Back in 1995, India took on New Zealand in the third Test match at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack.

India won the toss and elected to bat first and Nayan Mongia and Ajay Jadeja top scored with 45 each as the hosts declared their first innings at 296/8.

New Zealand responded with 175 as Narendra Hirwani was the wrecker-in-chief with six wickets in the first innings.

Almost two and a half days of play was lost to rain and owing to this, there was no result possible.