Greatest Test innings by Indian batsmen post-2007 that wasn't a century

Test centuries are often considered highly prestigious achievements, and rightly so. A century at the highest level of the game in the oldest format is considered to be the zenith of a batsman's career.

At the highest level of the game, centuries often define a batsman's career. A Test ton, especially in overseas conditions, often propels a batsman's career graph to the pinnacle of batsmanship.

This holds true especially in a batting obsessed country like India. More often than not, centuries are given much more coverage than other highly valuable innings that failed to cross the three-figure mark, even if the latter held much more value.

Indian batsmen have essayed many memorable knocks that had failed to cross the elusive three-figure mark but have been potential match-winning performances. More often than not, it's these 70s and 80s have contributed greatly to the team's cause.

Here we have a look at some of the high impact innings by Indian batsmen in Test post the year 2007 that did reach three figures:

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#1 MS Dhoni 76* vs England, 2007

MS Dhoni is often criticised for his uncanny technique and unconventional batting style that had led to his struggle against genuine pace bowling attacks outside the subcontinent while dealing with the swinging red ball. In fact, he averages a dubious 19.44 in Australia in Tests, a reflection of his struggle against genuine pace in unfriendly conditions.

However, this has not acted as an impediment to MSD while playing the role of rescuer whenever team India has been in trouble in Test Cricket. One of his most impressive innings in Tests was his 76 not out against England at the Mecca of Cricket, Lord's, in 2007.

Having been set a daunting target of 380 to be chased in the fourth innings by England, team India got off to a nightmarish start as Jaffer, Dravid, and Tendulkar fell cheaply. With team India teetering at 145-5 at a stage, it was all but over for the men in blue with no hopes of survival. However, MSD had other ideas. His uncharacteristic innings was the difference between a loss and a draw and he acted as the obstructionist who denied an English victory.

In a rain-affected Test where most of days 4 and 5 were washed away, Dhoni stood like a rock and curbed his natural flamboyant style of play to essay a workaholic 76 that included 10 boundaries. He protected one end of the wicket and in the course of his knock, received several blows on his body as he ensured that the English bowlers did not pick up the final Indian wicket. In the end, rain and a gritty Dhoni ensured that India did not lose more than 9 wickets in the final innings as bad weather conditions ensured that there could be no full day's play, helping India cling on to a draw.

India went on to win the series 1-0 eventually and Dhoni's innings played a huge role in that historic series victory. However, this knock of his sadly doesn't get the coverage it deserves.

#2 Virender Sehwag 83 vs England, 2008

Sehwag smashed England all over the place

Undoubtedly one of the most significant victories in the history of Indian Cricket, Sehwag's 83 in Chennai against England stands tall, on par with his twin triple hundreds. Known for his swashbuckling style of play, Sehwag had shredded apart many a bowling attacks in his heydays. He employed similar tactics to chase down the huge target set up by England in Chennai.

Batting first, England piled up 316 and India fell short by 75 runs. England further piled on India's misery by scoring 311 in their 2nd innings and set a target of 387 for India. Experts would have asked team India to bat session by session. But Sehwag went about his business, as usual, going berserk from ball one. He took apart the English bowlers to the cleaners and batted at a strike rate of more than 100, in contrast to his partner at the other end, Gambhir, who was striking at a rate of less than 50.

As Sehwag fell for an attacking 83 from just 68 balls, Tendulkar took on the mantle of taking team India home and forged a fruitful partnership with Yuvraj Singh who also scored a half-century. Tendulkar scored a delightful century as India romped home with 6 wickets in hand.

Despite Sachin's heroic hundred, Sehwag was rightfully adjudged as the player of the match as he was the man who set up the platform for India to chase the huge target. Sehwag knew there was only one for India to chase down this mammoth target and this innings was a perfect manifestation of his brutal attacking abilities.

#3 VVS Laxman 96 vs South Africa, 2010

Laxman's 96 facilitated India to achieve a historic victory against South Africa

VVS Laxman is often renowned for his epic 281 in Eden Gardens and his other blistering innings against Australians. However, his 96 against the Proteas on a difficult Durban track deserves as much praise as his other knocks.

Batting first, India were bowled out for 205 and in return, Indians bowled out South Africans for a mere 131, gaining a lead of 74 runs. In the third innings, India got off to the worst possible start, losing quick wickets in succession. Reduced to 93 for 5, India were staring at yet another overseas defeat. Laxman though stood rock solid at one end and tackled the Protea pacers beautifully.

On a difficult and bouncy track where the South African fast bowlers were literally breathing fire, Laxman brought in his rich experience as he went about his business of piling on the runs and finding the boundary at regular intervals. Despite the fact that wickets kept on falling at the other end, Laxman ensured that he took team India to a respectable total.

The significance of his knock appears much more magnified while considering the fact that the second highest scorer in the innings was 32. Eventually, India set up a target of 303 and bowled out South Africa for 215, thanks to terrific spells by Zaheer and Sreesanth. Laxman was India's highest scorer in both the innings and when one considers the extremely difficult nature of the bouncy Durban track, this should go down as one of the best innings played by an Indian batsman outside the subcontinent.

#4 Ajinkya Rahane 48 vs South Africa, 2018

Rahane's technically sound batting helped India salvage their pride at the Wanderers

Ajinkya Rahane is one of the most technically sound and effective batsmen produced by India in recent years. His importance as a vital cog in the Indian middle order can be gauged by the fact that he has scored centuries in difficult batting tracks such as Lord's, Melbourne and Wellington. His overseas batting average is a staggering 50+.

However, coming into the South African series, the vice-captain was under some sort of pressure having managed only 17 runs in 5 innings against Sri Lanka. He was drooped for the first 2 Tests at the expense of the in-form Rohit Sharma. Sharma's failure, however, paved the way for Rahane's inclusion in the third Test.

Coming into the third Test, Rahane had an opportunity to claim back his place which he did beautifully. On a super difficult Johannesburg track, Rahane scored only 9 runs in the first innings as both teams bundled out under 200, a reflection of the tough nature of the wicket. In the second innings though, Rahane made up for his loss by top scoring with a supreme 48 on day 4. As time progressed, the pitch only became much more difficult for batsmen which further magnifies the importance of his contribution.

Coming in to bat at a time when team India was tattering at 134-5, Rahane supremely countered the pace and bounce of the wicket and essayed a delightful innings of 48 against the likes of Rabada, Morkel, and Philander. His innings was filled with superbly timed shots and the only poor shot he offered, to a delivery straying down the leg, plotted his downfall. Having set a target of 241, India went on to win the match by 63 runs, thanks to the pacers' efforts. However, Rahane's vital contribution was largely responsible for India maintaining their spotless record at the Wanderers.