5 Best Test knocks played by Indian batsmen in Australia

India is a well-known batting paradise and since the dawn of Cricket in India, there has been at least one batsman who has dominated the world of cricket and has changed the way we look at the game.

From Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid to Virat Kohli to the future stars, everyone redefined batting and made it look easier. Playing a Test series in Australia is one of the most challenging tasks which an Indian cricketer has to go through.

However, Indian batsmen have come out victorious a lot of times and have played knocks which are worth being remembered by each and every Indian cricket fan for ages to come. Here are 5 best knocks played by Indian batsmen in Test cricket in Australia.

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#1 Sachin Tendulkar - 241* at SCG, 2003-04

Sachin Tendulkar's 241*

When one talks about best knocks played in cricket, it is mandatory to bring into mind Sachin Tendulkar’s 241* which came in Sydney in the last Test match of the series. The series was well poised at 1-1, and it was imperative for India to win or draw the Test match. The Little Master stepped in for a masterclass and scored an unbeaten 241, which is still the highest score by an Indian in Australia.

He, along with VVS Laxman, added over 350 runs for the fourth wicket and helped India draw the Test series in the Aussies’ backyard. One will hardly see a knock better than this, especially when playing a Test match in Australia. The innings was well organised, began and ended with sheer class. Sachin Tendulkar set the bar high with this knock and it will take something extraordinary to top this knock down under.

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#2 Virat Kohli - 141 at Adelaide Oval, 2014

Virat Kohli's 141

There has been a considerable number of fighting knocks in cricket, but in my candid opinion, there aren't many knocks which are more fighting than this one. It was Virat Kohli’s first Test match as a captain and boy did we enjoy it! In the first innings too, Virat Kohli scored a century, which helped India narrow the deficit.

The Aussies had a significant lead in the first innings and set a target of 364 on the last day. Most captains would have played it safe and gone for the draw. However, that was not what was on Virat Kohli’s mind. The proficient chaser went for a quest to go 1-nil up in the series in the first match. Chasing a mammoth total of 350+, in Australia, in the fourth innings, takes some courage and Virat Kohli represented a lot of this courage for his team.

Despite losing Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara cheaply, Kohli kept up the chase. Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli added close to 200 runs for the third wicket. The partnership gave India a hope to win the Test match before Murali Vijay perished to an absolute peach by Nathan Lyon.

Murali Vijay’s wicket started a collapse but the Indian captain held on to his wicket from one end and kept the scoreboard ticking. He scored 141 runs, but it was not enough for India to win the Test match and India fell short by just 48 runs. Even though this innings came in a losing cause, it remains one of the best knocks played by an Indian in the fourth innings.

#3 VVS Laxman - 167 at SCG, 2000

VVS Laxman's 167

It was a forgettable series for India as they were humiliated by The Kangaroos in the series. In the first two matches, Australia defeated India by a huge margin. Third match was nothing less and India lost the match by an innings. However, one positive thing did come out of the match and it was the way VVS Laxman played the Australian quicks. Australia put 552 runs on the board in the first innings and in reply, India surrendered at a mere score of 150.

They were asked to follow on, but it was the repetition of the same tale. VVS Laxman, however, was the standout performer for India. India were all out at 261 in the second innings as well. Out of the 261 runs scored by India, 167 came out of Laxman’s bat. No other batsman managed to cross the 30-run mark and only three batsmen, excluding VVS Laxman managed double figures. One will hardly ever find a better lone warrior knock, especially in Australia’s den, compared to this.

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#4 Rahul Dravid - 233 at Adelaide Oval, 2003-04

Rahul Dravid's 233

If one is to make a list of the best Test matches India have played, this match has to be added to that list without a shadow of a doubt. Australia posed a mammoth total of 556 in the first innings. India, in reply, were 4 down with less than 100 runs on the board. Australia looked to have won the match there because they were still over 450 runs ahead.

However, Rahul Dravid had plans of his own. He made sure that the Aussies do not get away with the win. Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman added over 300 runs for the fifth wicket and helped India’s chances in the match. Rahul Dravid was the last to perish and with his help, India reached 523. He showed the world why he is called Mr. Dependant.

Bowlers did their job in the second innings by restricting the opposition to less than 200 runs and India won the match by 4 wickets, thanks to The Wall’s unbeaten 72. He was declared the man of the match for his brilliant batting and he was the reason behind India winning one of their best ever overseas Test matches.

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#5 Sourav Ganguly - 144 at The Gabba, 2003-04

Sourav Ganguly's 144

Sourav Ganguly’s 144 at the Gabba is one of the most underrated knocks in Test cricket history because there was so much more than just runs to this knock. It was the first innings of the series and India lost wickets quickly after a decent start. At one stage, India were 4 down for 127 and at that moment, it looked like it will be just another one sided tour for India.

However, Dada led from the front and guided India to escape a possible collapse. He scored 144 runs for the team and helped India reach 409 runs and get a lead in the first innings. The best part about this knock was that it came under immense pressure and it laid the foundation for India, not only in the match but also the series. Because of this knock, India had a memorable tour and gave a tough challenging series to the home side.