Top 5 Indian partnerships for the 6th wicket

The ongoing series between India and West Indies has had many positives for the Indian team. The biggest revelation has been the batting of Ravichandran Ashwin who has not only come to the fore with the ball, but has also scored two centuries coming in at number 6.

In the third Test, Ashwin came in at a precarious situation but found an able ally in Wriddhiman Saha, and together the duo stitched together a partnership worth 213 runs, which was a critical one in the scheme of things as it helped India post a competitive score of 353 runs on the board. Both the batsmen notched up their individual centuries.

This is the biggest partnership for India for the 6th wicket, and it also became the second highest partnership for India in overseas condition.

Here, in this list we take a look at 5 biggest partnerships stitched by Indian batsmen in foreign conditions for the sixth wicket. Often these partnerships come when the backs are against the wall, and the players involved have to dig in and play with a lot of steel and character.

#5 Sandeep Patil and Yashpal Sharma, 147 runs, Adelaide

The pitch at the Adelaide Oval is not the typical Australian surface and it aids spin, hence Indian teams have always found it much easier to perform at this venue.

Australia batted first during the match in 1981 and like is the norm with dominating Australian teams, they scored 528 runs in the first innings.

The visitors were not off to an entirely promising start, and lost 5 wickets for just 238 runs. However, Sandeep Patil was then joined by all-rounder Yashpal Sharma, and together they defied the Australian attack and put together a partnership of 147 runs for the sixth wicket.

Sandeep Patil brought out his attacking strokeplay, and smashed the Australian attack all over the place and ended up with 174 runs in 240 balls. Yashpal Sharma held the fort and scored a gritty 47 runs.

This partnership ensured that the visitors got away with a draw in this match.

#4 Vijay Hazare and Dattu Phadkar, 188 runs, Adelaide

Indians were never great when it came to performing in alien conditions, and the troubles only grew when the team toured Australia. However, over the years there have been few inspirational moments to cherish , and one among many was the historical partnership between Vijay Hazare and Dattu Phadkar in 1948.

The Indian team was up against Bradman's Invincibles, and true to their name the Australians amassed a massive 674 runs in their first innings. Donald Bradman smashed a double century and the visitors were under immense pressure.

The team further slipped when they were reduced to 133 runs for 5 wickets. However, Vijay Hazare then found an ally in Dattu Phadkar and the duo displayed tremendous grit and character as they dug in put together a partnership of 188 runs.

However even after this valiant effort, the visitors could not avoid an innings defeat, but the records book will always remember the fight shown by the duo.

#3 Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Irfan Pathan, 210 runs, Faisalabad

Both Dhoni and Pathan were in the nascent stages of their Test career but had given ample glimpses of their potential as match winners and their ability was put to the sword against arch rivals Pakistan during the 2006 tour.

Batting first the Pakistan plundered the Indian bowling and piled up 588 runs in their first innings. In reply, the Indians too got off to a very promising start and captain Rahul Dravid and the ever dependable VVS Laxman forged a vital partnership together. However, the middle order collapsed and suddenly the visitors were reduced to 281/5.

And then Dhoni and Pathan came together and started building a defiant partnership. Both the batsmen played their strokes and sent the Pakistan team on a frenetic leather hunt. Dhoni got to his century and eventually finished with 148, while Irfan scored 90 runs.

The partnership was worth 210 runs.

#2 Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha, 213, St Lucia

Ashwin was always a handy batsman and has played many innings of substance in his career. However, under the captaincy of Virat Kohli and under Anil Kumble the off-spinner has been given the responsibility of playing at number 6 in the ongoing series against the West Indies.

The Tamil Nadu player has responded beautifully and has already compiled two centuries so far in the 3 Test matches.

In the 3rd Test match at the Darren Sammy National Stadium in St Lucia, India were rocked early by the West Indian pace battery and were reduced to 126/5. However, Ashwin held the fort and found an able ally in wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha and both the players dug in and showed tremendous character.

They bailed India out of the tricky situation and in the process got to their centuries too. Their partnership was worth 213 runs, which is the second highest partnership for the sixth wicket.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammed Azharuddin, Cape Town, 222 runs

This record of 222 runs is still the highest partnership for the sixth wicket in Test cricket. It came during India's tour to South Africa in 1997.

Batting first the Proteas amassed 529 runs in the first innings. Both Gary Kirsten and Brian McMillan scored 103 runs respectively.

The Indians were rocked early by Allan Donald and Lance Klusener and were reduced to 58/5 when Sachin Tendulkar and his captain Azharuddin came together. The duo launched a counter-attack and shifted the pressure back on the South Africans.

Sachin scored a breathtaking 169, while Azhar compiled an equally aesthetic 115 runs. They averted the follow-on but then the other batsmen faltered again and India went on to lose the match by 282 runs.