The Test format lives up to its name by testing the batter’s skills and character. Unlike the limited overs format, batters need to toil hard to score runs in the longer format.
And if a visiting team lands in India to play a Test series against the host, it’s a steep challenge for their batters to accumulate runs on Indian surfaces.
The Indian pitches are conducive for spinners, which further deteriorate as the match proceeds. India boasts formidable spinners who are known for spinning their web across batters.
However, some notable batters have overcome the spin challenge and scored memorable knocks, that too in the 2nd innings of a match.
So, here are the top 10 highest individual scores by visiting batters in the 2nd innings of a Test in India.
Highest Scores by Visiting Batters in 2nd Innings in India (Test)
Player | Score (Balls) | 4s/6s | Venue | Match Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Andy Flower (ZIM) | 232* (444) | 30/2 | Nagpur | 25 Nov 2000 |
Brendon McCullum (NZ) | 225 (308) | 22/4 | Hyderabad | 12 Nov 2010 |
Gary Sobers (WI) | 198 (NA) | 28/0 | Kanpur | 12 Dec 1958 |
Ollie Pope (ENG) | 196 (278) | 21/0 | Hyderabad | 25 Jan 2024 |
Saeed Anwar (PAK) | 188* (259) | 23/1 | Eden Gardens | 16 Feb 1999 |
Alastair Cook (ENG) | 176 (374) | 21/0 | Ahmedabad | 15 Nov 2012 |
Ken Barrington (ENG) | 172 (NA) | 26/0 | Kanpur | 1 Dec 1961 |
Clive Lloyd (WI) | 163 (149) | 22/2 | Bengaluru | 22 Nov 1974 |
Neil McKenzie (SA) | 155* (339) | 13/1 | Chennai | 26 Mar 2008 |
Daryll Cullinan (SA) | 153* (261) | 15/1 | Eden Gardens | 27 Nov 1996 |
Key Insights
232: Zimbabwe’s former keeper-batter became the first visiting batter to score a Test double-century in the second innings in India. His knock of an unbeaten 232 is also the highest score while batting in the 2nd innings by an overseas batter. Moreover, this is the highest score by a wicketkeeper in the Test format.
109.39: Clive Lloyd’s knock of 163 came at a strike rate of 109.39. He is the only visiting batter who scored a century in the 2nd innings at a 100+ strike rate.
3: England’s former elegant opener, Alastair Cook, found India as a happy hunting ground, as he amassed 5 hundreds in India. Out of the 5 centuries, 3 came while batting in the 2nd innings, with 176 being his highest. What’s special about this feat is that Cook is the only overseas batter to have 3 hundreds in the stated innings.
140: The West Indies’ finest batter, Gary Sobers, is the only visiting batter with 2 140+ knocks. His first innings was an unbeaten 142, while the second was 198. Interestingly, both innings came in back-to-back matches in the 1958 series.
40: There are over 40 instances of a batter scoring a Test century in the 2nd innings on Indian soil.
Read Next | India’s Test Record at Home