Top 5 Test innings by Indian batsmen in the last decade

Sachin Tendulkar (146 vs South Africa, Cape Town, 2011)

Sachin Tendulkar's century at Cape Town was a batting masterclass

How can you have such a list without the greatest of them all Sachin Tendulkar featured in it. There is a very simple reason why this knock is the best among all. It was played against the best bowler of the generation bowling one of the best spells of his life – Dale Steyn.

Steyn’s spell with the second new ball was a sight to behold. He swung the ball like a banana at high speeds and left the Indian batsmen bamboozled. He got the wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara and MS Dhoni in quick succession and would have also dismissed Harbhajan Singh if the bails had not miraculously stayed put despite the delivery brushing the off-stump.

But Sachin, in the prime of his form, negotiated this supreme example of fast bowling with the skill and ability that only he and no one else possessed. He didn’t just see off that spell but kept batting for a while after that.

While Steyn was the main threat, there was also Morne Morkel in the South African attack. The Little Master eventually got out in the 114th over – the new ball was taken in the 81st over – and got India to near 350.

This was an innings that one has to watch to understand how good it was. It also featured the unforgettable duel of the best fast bowler in the world and the best batsman – both at the peak of their powers. It was Test cricket at its best.