Top 5 highest first innings totals to result in losses

#4 Australia, against India – Adelaide – December, 2003

Dravid and Laxman put on a 303-run partnership

India had drawn the first Test at Brisbane and had taken some of that confidence to Adelaide, where a sensational double hundred from Ricky Ponting took Australia to a huge total of 556 in the first innings.

India were unperturbed and replied with panache, posting a total of 523 thanks to Dravid’s 233 and Laxman’s 148, the duo putting up a 303-run stand.

Ajit Agarkar, inspired by India’s fightback, decided that it was his turn to step up and ran through the Aussie batting line-up with a 6/41, bowling out the hosts for a paltry 196. With 230 to win, Dravid anchored the chase, remaining unbeaten on 72 as he led India to a terrific four-wicket win to go one up in the series.