Top 5 biggest innings wins by India

Team India is currently at the top of the ICC Men’s Test Team Rankings with 125 points, 14 points ahead of second-placed South Africa. The young Indian team, led by Virat Kohli, has looked invincible over the last few years. India has won eight consecutive Test series in a row and look all set to win their ninth Test series against Sri Lanka.

England and Australia are the only teams to have won nine consecutive Test series in a row.

The Indian Cricket team holds numerous records in International Test Cricket. Let us have a look at the biggest innings win for India in Test Cricket history.

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#5 India win by an innings and 171 runs, 2017 v Sri Lanka

India vs Srilanka

India defeated Sri Lanka on the 3rd day of the 3rd Test by an innings and 171 runs at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka this year.

India dominated the Test series and eventually whitewashed Sri Lanka in their own backyard. Prior to the third Test match, the hosts, who had already lost the first two matches, were under tremendous pressure.

India batted first and put a monumental score of 487 runs anchored by Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya, both of them scored a century.

Sri Lankan team were shot out for a mere 135 runs in their first innings. The hosts were asked to follow-on by India. In the second innings, Sri Lankan failed to improve their batting and was bowled out for 181.

#4 India win by an innings and 198 runs, 2010 vs NZ

India vs New Zealand

India won the deciding Test match against New Zealand by an innings and 198 runs at Nagpur in 2010. Prior to the series, it was believed that the Kiwis would suffer a whitewash in the 3-match Test series in India.

But the Black Caps' performance in the series exceeded expectations. The first two Tests of the series resulted in a draw due to the brilliant batting performance of Kane Williamson (131 in first Test) and Brendon McCullum (225 in the second Test).

Batting first, New Zealand (NZ) were restricted to a score of 193 runs by a brilliant performance from Ishant Sharma.

Taking advantage of NZ’s low score, India put a gigantic score of 566 runs on the board. Rahul Dravid scored 191 runs with his classic and elegant batting style.

Under pressure, the Kiwis collapsed for just 175 runs in their second innings. It took 45 years for the Indian team to defeat NZ by an innings in a Test match in India.

#3 India win by an innings and 219 runs, 1998 vs Australia

India vs Australia

India defeated Australia in the second Test of the 3-match Test series by an innings and 219 runs at the Eden Gardens in 1998. It remains one of the best wins for India against Australia in Test Cricket.

Australia started their innings badly, and quickly went to 29 for 4. Javagal Srinath took two wickets in the first over of the match. Then, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting helped the team to score a total of 233 runs with their partnership.

In reply, India scored a mammoth 633 runs for the loss of only 5 wickets, with the help of Azharuddin‘s 163 runs. Australia was in deep trouble against the fierce bowling attack of India in their second innings.

Australia was all out for 181 runs with Kumble taking 5 wickets and Srinath taking 3 wickets. Javagal Srinath was adjudged as the ‘Man of the Match. India won the 3-match Test series having a 2-0 lead.

#2 India win by an innings and 239 runs, 2007 vs Bangladesh

India vs Bangladesh

India defeated Bangladesh by an innings and a whopping 239 runs in the 2nd Test of the 2-match Test series at Dhaka in 2007. This happened 2 months before Bangladesh startled the world by defeating India in the World Cup.

Indian pacer Ishant Sharma debuted in Test Cricket in this match.

Batting first, India put up a huge score of 610 runs for the loss of 3 wickets, with the top four batsmen scoring centuries and MS Dhoni scoring a half-century. The Bangladeshi team struggled to bat against the left-arm medium-pacer Zaheer Khan, and could only manage to score 118 runs. Zaheer took 5 wickets in the first innings. The Bangladeshi team were forced to follow-on by India.

In reply, Bangladesh scored a respectable 253 runs, with the help of Mohammad Ashraful’s 67 runs off 42 balls and Mashrafe Mortaza‘s 70 runs. Zaheer Khan was the Man of the Match for his 7 wickets.

#1 India win by an innings and 239 runs, 2017 vs Sri Lanka

India vs Sri Lanka

After a disappointing draw at Eden Gardens, India thrashed Sri Lanka by an innings and 239 runs in the second Test of the 3-match Test series at Nagpur this year. This win equalled its previous record win against Bangladesh.

The Sri Lankan team, fighting for survival in the series, were bundled out for 205 runs in the first innings. Both the spinners (Ashwin and Jadeja) together took 7 wickets in the innings.

Taking advantage of the conditions, India played clinically, scoring a monumental 610 runs for the loss of 6 wickets, with four batsmen getting centuries.

Virat Kohli showed an awe-inspiring performance with 214 runs off 267 balls. Sri Lanka was bowled out for 166 runs in their second innings on 4th day of the Test, with Chandimal (61 runs) battling alone at one end.

It was a comprehensive win for India, boosted by its solid batting and intense bowling. Virat Kohli was the Man of the Match for his 5th double ton. R. Ashwin became the fastest bowler to pick up 300 wickets in Test cricket in just 54 matches.