5 instances when India's lower order rescued the team

India's Test team has had a great run in the recent times. They have maintained the number one spot in the ICC Test Rankings with a slew of consistent performances. Since September 2016, Virat Kohli's team has played 17 Tests and won a whopping 13 matches. While they lost only once, the other three games were drawn.

There have been vital contributions from several players on different occasions. One of the major contributing factors for the team's sparkling form has been the determination shown by the lower order (partnerships ranging from seventh to tenth wicket). Since the start of last year's home season with the 3-match series against New Zealand, here are the averages of the lower-order partnerships of India's Test side.

Averages of lower-order Partnerships

India's overall average of lower order partnerships stands at 34.75, which is comfortably the highest among all the nations during this period. A contributing lower order has enabled India to field five bowlers on a consistent basis. The partnerships produced by the lower order have rescued the team from tricky situations on numerous occasions. They have also scored quick runs helping the team to declare at precise moments. Here are five instances when the lower order rescued India from a state of trouble to a position of strength.

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#5 Against New Zealand in Kolkata (2016)

On a seam-friendly surface at the Eden Gardens, India got a crucial lead of 112 runs in the first innings. The advantage of gaining the lead was minimised as New Zealand came back into the match with quick wickets to reduce India to 106/6 with the total lead at 218 runs. There was still a lot of time left in the match and India needed plenty more runs to reach a position of safety.

Rohit Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha combined well to stitch together a partnership of 103 runs to take the team's lead over 300. Rohit continued his form at the venue by scoring a vital knock of 82. Saha added another important partnership of 36 runs with Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the ninth wicket and remained unbeaten on 58. This was his second unbeaten fifty of the match. The efforts of the lower order helped India set New Zealand a huge target of 376 runs. The visitors collapsed for 197 runs to hand India an emphatic victory.

Second Innings - From 106/6 to 263 all out

Percentage of runs scored by the lower order - 59.70

#4 Against England in Mohali (2016)

Ravindra Jadeja contributed an invaluable 90 to the team total

After dismissing England for a modest total of 283 runs, India looked set to take the game away from the visitors as they reached 148/2 at Tea on the second day. But England came back strongly by picking four quick wickets after the interval. The hosts' total read 204/6 and England had a great opportunity to take a handy first innings lead.

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The spin trio of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav then rescued India with the scores of 72, 90 and 55 respectively. The vital partnerships by the tail took India to a formidable score of 417 which consequently helped them gain an important lead of 134 runs. The spinners then combined well with the ball to bowl England out for 236 runs. India easily chased down the target of 103 runs to register a eight-wicket win.

First Innings - From 204/6 to 417 all out

Percent of runs scored by the lower order - 51.08

#3 Against England in Mumbai (2016)

Jayant Yadav added to England's woes by scoring his maiden Test ton

In the reply of England’s massive total of 400 in the first innings, India started off well to reach 262/2. Murali Vijay compiled a brilliant century. But there was a mini collapse as four wickets fell in quick succession. India were still trailing by 93 runs when the sixth wicket fell.

Captain Virat Kohli was still at the crease and he formed a useful partnership of 57 runs with Ravindra Jadeja. He was joined by newcomer Jayant Yadav and the two combined well to construct a mammoth partnership of 241 runs. Kohli got to his highest Test score of 235 while Jayant got his maiden ton in Tests. Their partnership took India to a position of strength. Armed with a huge lead of 231 runs, India dismissed England for 195 runs to secure a comprehensive innings victory.

First Innings - From 307/6 to 631 all out

Percent of runs scored by the lower order - 51.35

#2 Against Australia in Ranchi (2017)

Saha joined hands with Cheteshwar Pujara to send Australia on a leather hunt

Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell hit centuries as Australia posted 451 runs in the first innings after winning the toss. The opening duo Lokesh Rahul and Murali Vijay scored half-centuries to propel India to a solid start. Pat Cummins brought Australia back into the game by picking four wickets and reducing India to 328/6. The deficit was still 123 when Saha joined Cheteshwar Pujara who had already reached his century.

Pujara and Saha batted cautiously to ensure that India reached a position of strength. During the course of his patient knock of 202, Pujara faced 525 deliveries and broke Rahul Dravid’s record of most balls faced by an Indian batsman in a Test innings.

Saha also contributed immensely by getting his highest Test score of 117. The duo added 199 runs for the seventh wicket to take India to the driver’s seat. After their departure, Jadeja scored an attacking half century to help set up a declaration. Australia lost four quick wickets in the second innings. However, the dogged defensive batting of Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb enabled the visitors to save the match.

First Innings - From 328/6 to 603/9 declared

Percent of runs scored by the lower order - 45.61

#1 Against Sri Lanka in Kolkata (2017)

Mohammed Shami can wield the long handle to good effect

In conditions assisting seamers, Sri Lanka won an important toss and elected to bowl first. Suranga Lakmal bowled splendidly as the Indian batsmen, with the exception of Pujara, fell cheaply. The hosts reached 74/5 at the end of the second day as only 32.5 overs of play was possible due to unseasonal rains. India were in further trouble when Pujara was out early on the third day.

With the scorecard reading 79/6, Saha and Jadeja played some attacking shots and put on a stand of 48 runs in quick time. But both batsmen were dismissed in the same over. At 128/8, India still needed some vital runs to reach a respectable score. Bhuvneshwar Kumar contributed a useful 13 runs while Mohammed Shami hit a quickfire 24 to swell the total to 172.

With the weather clearing and batting becoming relatively easier, Sri Lanka secured a substantial lead of 122 runs. India turned the match around by scoring 352/8d in the second innings and set Sri Lanka a target of 231 runs. The visitors were in trouble at 75/7 from 26.3 overs when bad light stopped play to result in a draw.

First Innings - From 79/6 to 172 all out

Percent of runs scored by the lower order - 54.07