The greatest Test innings by Indian batsmen post-2000 that wasn't a century

3. Sourav Ganguly 87 vs South Africa, 2008, Nagpur

Yet another visual delight from Sourav Ganguly on a turner

Entering the final test of the three test series against South Africa, India found themselves down 1-0 at home needing to win the final test to avoid series defeat.

Post the second Test at Ahmadabad, much talk was on the pitch debacle where a green top was handed out favoring South Africa. Hence, the curator had prepared a square turner at Kanpur to provide conditions favoring the home team.

However, South Africa won a crucial toss and made a very respectable 265 on a pitch that was already crumbling having plenty of turn and uneven bounce. India, in response, found themselves precariously placed at 123-4 on an increasingly difficult pitch.

In danger of conceding the all important first innings lead and facing the daunting prospect of a home series defeat, Sourav Ganguly played a delightful knock of 87 with decisive footwork against the spinners to ensure India made 325 gaining a match winning lead of 60.

As expected, that proved to be sufficient for the Indian spinners to bowl out a demoralized South Africa for a paltry second innings total to ensure victory in the match and level the series.