Test cricket is always known for testing the patience level of both batsmen and bowlers. It is always seen that a team would start quite slowly, building tall opening partnerships, and then the other batters would take over them and lead the team to a massive team total.
Only sometimes do we see a team making totals of 600-650. This has been because of the potent threat the bowling lineup always poses. But, with the harsh batting conditions, carrying the bat throughout is not easy in seaming conditions. Even in the subcontinent, it is challenging to have high scores.
India have been known for their defensive approach, at least from the batting perspective. But they have racked up some huge totals.
In this article, we will look at the top 10 highest team totals by India in Test cricket.
Highest Team Totals for India in Tests
| Score (Overs) | Innings | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 759/7d (190.4) | 2 | England | Chennai | 16 Dec 2016 |
| 726/9d (163.3) | 2 | Sri Lanka | Brabourne | 2 Dec 2009 |
| 707 (225.2) | 2 | Sri Lanka | Colombo (SSC) | 26 Jul 2010 |
| 705/7d (187.3) | 1 | Australia | Sydney | 2 Jan 2004 |
| 687/6d (166.0) | 1 | Bangladesh | Hyderabad | 9 Feb 2017 |
| 676/7 (167.1) | 2 | Sri Lanka | Kanpur | 17 Dec 1986 |
| 675/5d (161.5) | 1 | Pakistan | Multan | 28 Mar 2004 |
| 664 (170.0) | 1 | England | The Oval | 9 Aug 2007 |
| 657/7d (178.0) | 3 | Australia | Eden Gardens | 11 Mar 2001 |
| 649/9d (149.5) | 1 | West Indies | Rajkot | 4 Oct 2018 |
Key Insights
India’s highest Test total came against England. The Men in Blue declared their first innings on 759 for 7 in the 2016 Chepauk Test.
303 of those runs came from Karun Nair’s bat, making him the second Test triple centurion for India.
707 against Sri Lanka in Colombo is the highest innings total by India in an away Test. This is also the highest total for India in a drawn Test match.
532 against Australia in the 2008 Sydney Test is the highest innings total for India in a losing cause.
657 for 7 declared by India is the joint highest Test total in a follow-on innings. After being all out for 171, Australia asked them to follow on in the 2001 Kolkata Test. Thanks to the huge total, India secured a come-from-behind victory.
445 against Australia in the 1978 Adelaide Test is the highest fourth innings total by India in Tests, though it came in an unsuccessful run chase of 493 runs.
403-run target India successfully chased against the West Indies in the 1976 Trinidad Test, the highest for them in the longest format.
India have put up 500-plus totals in more than 85 innings, the third most by a team in Tests.
1014 runs India accumulated against England across both innings of the 2025 Birmingham Test. This is their highest Test match aggregate. 587 of those runs came in the first innings, while 427 for 6 (declared) came in the second innings. This is the second instance of a team aggregating 1000-plus runs in a Test since 2000.
Eventually, India clinched a 336-run win in the above match, their largest victory by runs in an overseas Test.
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