Top 10 overseas Test knocks by Indian captains in the history of the game

#2 Sachin Tendulkar – 169 vs South Africa (Cape Town - 1997)

The 1996/97 South African tour was Sachin Tendulkar’s first overseas tour as captain. And it was off to a disastrous start as India scored only 100 and 66 in the two innings of the first Test.

The second Test also wasn’t a great start for the visitors as they conceded 529 runs in the innings. The South African pace attack which tormented the Indian batting line-up was once again on top as the visitors were reduced to 33/4 (which soon became 58/5). Skipper Tendulkar who walked in at No. 5 needed to do something special to bail his team out of trouble. And he did exactly that. He forged a brilliant 222-run 6th wicket partnership with Mohammed Azharuddin (115).

Tendulkar played a perfect captain’s knock as he scored a stroke-filled 169 to help India avoid the follow-on in the first innings. He 254-ball knock comprised of 26 boundaries and he contributed about 47% to the team’s total. His 169 certainly is one of the best knocks by an Indian skipper.