5 instances where an Indian batsman outscored the opposition's team total in Tests

Historically, there have been a lot of Indian batsmen who produced scintillating match-winning knocks or bailed the team out from precarious situations. These knocks shall be etched in the minds of ardent cricket fans for eternity. These batsmen have bewitched enthusiastic fans with their ethereal display.

There have been instances in Test cricket when a player has scored more than the opposition's total in both innings, and Indian batsmen have been involved in some of these instances.

In this article, we delve into five such occurrences where an Indian Test batsman outscored the opposition's team total in Tests. Interestingly, this has happened against five different opponents.

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#1) Vinoo Mankad 231 vs New Zealand (209/10 & 219/10), Chennai, 1956

Vinoo Mankad

The Indian opening pair of Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy made the New Zealand bowlers toil hard in hot and humid conditions at Chennai. Mankad scored a brilliant double century while his partner Roy made a vital 173. The huge opening partnership of 413 runs ensured that India posted a mammoth first innings total of 537/3 declared.

In reply, the Kiwi batsmen could never really get going. They failed to cope with Chennai's dust bowl of a pitch and the Indian spinners created havoc. New Zealand were skittled out for just 209 in the first innings, courtesy a five-wicket haul from Subash Gupte.

Being asked to follow-on, the Kiwis once again failed to put up a competitive total, folding out for just 219. India won the match by a whopping margin of an innings and 109 runs.

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#2) Rahul Dravid 270 vs Pakistan (224/10 & 245/10), Rawalpindi, 2004

Rahul Dravid

The three-match Test series between India and Pakistan was evenly poised at one apiece and both teams had a lot at stake going into the final Test at Rawalpindi. Rahul Dravid did not make any significant contribution in the first two Tests and the final Test was his last chance at redemption. The Wall did not let the team down.

After Pakistan were bowled out for 224 in the first innings, India lost Virender Sehwag off the very first delivery of their innings. However, that was the only sight of success for Pakistan as it was a 'Dravid' show from thereon. He took charge and patiently built an innings filled with grit and determination.

He notched up his highest Test score of 270 and the innings was studded with 34 fours and 1 six. Thanks to Dravid's gargantuan knock, India posted a massive 600 all out in their first innings.

Pakistan failed to save the match as they were bundled out for just 245 in their second innings. Anil Kumble picked up four wickets in the second innings and India comfortably won the match by an innings and 131 runs.

#3) Sachin Tendulkar 248 vs Bangladesh (184/10 & 202/10), Dhaka, 2004

Sachin Tendulkar

Within a few months of Dravid's achievement, it was now Sachin Tendulkar's turn to enter the record books. India was touring Bangladesh and they dominated the opposition right from the first Test match.

Bangladesh folded for just 184 in their first innings with Irfan Pathan bagging a five-for. In reply, India posted a massive total of 526. The Little Master stitched together a last-wicket partnership of 133 runs with Zaheer Khan, severely denting the hopes of a comeback from Bangladesh.

Sachin and Zaheer recorded their highest individual scores of 248* and 75 respectively in that innings. Sachin's 35 boundaries were stuck all around the stadium and the Bangladeshi bowlers had no answer.

Bangladesh failed to put up a big score in the second innings, getting all-out for just 202. They once again succumbed to the pace and swing of Irfan Pathan who secured six wickets in the innings and was adjudged the man of the match.

#4) Virat Kohli 213 vs Sri Lanka (205/10 & 166/10), Nagpur, 2017

Virat Kohli

After the first Test ended in a draw, Team India was looking to come back to winning ways. Despite losing the toss in the second Test, India bowled out Sri Lanka for just 205 with Ravichandran Ashwin picking up 4/67.

India posted a mammoth score of 610/6 declared with centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay and a double hundred from skipper Virat Kohli. The Jamtha crowd was treated to another Kohli special as he single-handedly took the game away from the opposition by scoring 213 off just 267 deliveries.

He punched and pulled the pacers with ease while he swept and drove the spinners. He found the gaps with surgical precision and the Lankans were just not able to contain him.

Sri Lanka was again bowled out for just 166 as Ashwin picked up his second four-for. India comfortably went on to win the Test by an innings and 239 runs and went 1-0 up in the three-match series.

#5) Rohit Sharma 212 vs South Africa (162/10 & 133/10), Ranchi, 2019

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma is certainly having a dream run with the bat. After notching up five centuries in the 2019 World Cup, Rohit grabbed the opportunity to open in Tests with both hands. His 529 runs in the recently concluded three-match Test series against South Africa included 2 centuries and a double century.

After being 2-0 down in the series, the South Africans were looking to turn things around, with both the toss (They have lost 11 successive tosses in Tests in Asia) and the result. However, both did not happen.

They were treated to another Rohit Sharma masterclass as he notched up his maiden Test double century. His 212 off just 255 balls was well supported by Ajinkya Rahane's crafty 115. India declared at 497/9, and South Africa failed to get India all out in the entire series.

The Indian bowlers ran through the South African batting line up in both the innings after asking them to follow on. Both spinners and seamers came to the party and bundled out the Proteas for 162 and 133 in their two innings. India won the Test by an innings and 202 runs and blanked South Africa 3-0.