Test cricket often witnesses teams scoring significant totals with the bat in a match. But to do so in back-to-back innings with consistency is a herculean task.
However, back in 1986-87, India showed its batting might and scored 400 or more run totals in six consecutive Test innings. The Indian team displayed their extraordinary consistency, breaking an almost 50-year-old record.
Here’s a glance at India’s achievement of scoring 400-plus totals in six consecutive Test innings.
1. 517/5d vs Australia | Wankhede, Oct 1986
India’s record run began in October 1986 during the third Test against Australia in Mumbai. Australia won the toss and elected to bat first on the batting-friendly Wankhede wicket.
The visitors reached 345 runs in the first innings, with Geoff Marsh (101) scoring a ton. India came out strong in their reply, amassing 517 for five before declaring their innings.
Sunil Gavaskar (103) brought up his 33rd Test century at his home ground, followed by unbeaten hundreds from two other Mumbai batters, Dilip Vengsarkar (164*) and Ravi Shastri (121*).
India got a lead of 172 runs, and Australia responded with 216 for two on the last day, ending the match in a draw.
2. 676/6 vs Sri Lanka | Kanpur, Dec 1986
Two months later, India stormed their way to their then-highest innings total in Test cricket. India hosted Sri Lanka for a three-match Test series, and they batted only once in each of these matches, scoring 400-plus totals.
The first match of the series was in Kanpur, which laid out a grassy pitch, but it was favourable for batting. Sri Lanka chose to bat first and put up 420 runs on the board.
Indian batters also feasted on the wicket in their reply. Gavaskar raised his 34th and last Test hundred, while Mohammad Azharuddin fell short of an Indian double ton and captain Kapil Dev smashed 163 off 165 balls.
The match went into the last day, with no play on the second due to rain and fog. India scored 676 for seven, with the match ending in a meaningless draw.
3. 451/6d vs Sri Lanka | Nagpur, Dec 1986
In the second Test, Sri Lanka again opted to bat first. But this time, the visitors mustered 202 in their first essay.
On a rank turner in Nagpur, India bossed their way to 451 for six and declared their innings. Vengsarkar scored yet another 150-plus knock while forging a 173-run stand with Mohinder Amarnath, who amassed 131.
India secured a lead of 249 runs, which was enough to bundle out Sri Lanka for 141 runs in the second innings. Maninder Singh starred with the ball, taking seven wickets and helping India win the match by an innings and 106 runs.
4. 400 vs Sri Lanka | Cuttack, Jan 1987
In the last Test of the series, India scored exactly 400 runs on an undercooked Cuttack surface. Kapil Dev won the toss for the first time and decided to bat first.
Despite the unpredictable bounce and movement, India mustered 400 runs in the first innings. Vengsarkar was the hero for India, as he amassed 166 runs on a tricky wicket, where Dev was the only other batter to get a fifty.
India’s total proved more than enough, as Sri Lanka managed 333 runs across their two efforts. The Indian bowlers collectively took the team home by an innings and 67 runs.
5. 527/9d vs Pakistan | Chennai, Feb 1987
After mauling Sri Lankan bowlers in three back-to-back innings, India thrashed Pakistan’s attack in their next two essays.
The first of which came in Chennai during the first Test between both sides. Pakistan elected to bat first and declared their innings on 487 for 9, with captain Imran Khan (135*) leading from the front and Shoaib Mohammad scoring 101.
India’s top order replied well on a wonderful batting wicket. Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth stitched a 200-run opening partnership, providing a dazzling start.
Srikkanth fell for 123, followed by Gavaskar for 91, but Mohinder Amarnath and Vengsarkar carried the momentum. Their 185-run stand helped India declare on 527 for nine.
Pakistan played out the last day, scoring 182 for three and ending the match in a draw.
6. 403 vs Pakistan | Eden Gardens, Feb 1987
Both teams reached Kolkata for the second Test. Pakistan again won the toss, but this time asked India to bat first.
India came out to bat and picked up from where they left off in Chennai. Azharuddin led the charge against Pakistan, batting for 400 minutes and scoring 141 runs.
Captain Dev, Arun Lal, and Roger Binny also chipped in with fifties, propelling India to their sixth 400-plus total in consecutive innings. With that, they surpassed Australia’s 1937-38 record of five consecutive innings of 400-plus runs.
India bowled out Pakistan for 229, taking a lead of 174 runs, which they further swelled to 355 by scoring 181 for three in the second dig. On the last day, Pakistan managed to pull out a draw.
