The world has witnessed some great innings by Indian batsmen that would be remembered for a long long time to come. Being only 20 years old , I wasn’t able to watch any of the great centuries of Sunil Gavaskar and other top former Indian batsme. So my review is based on the innings that I have personally seen. Also my rating is not based on the result of the match because I strongly believe that a match( especially a test match) can only be won with a collective team effort.
VVS LAXMAN: (281 against Australia, in 2001): An unbelievable innings by VVS Laxman. Austrailns one up in the series and having forced India to follow on were destroyed by this epic knock of VVS Laxman.
SACHIN TENDULKAR (136 against Pakistan in 1999): A lot of you would disagree with me for this being rated as the second best innings. Sachin came in when India was struggling at 50 odd runs for five wickets and needed 272 to win the game. Sachin, inspite of a very troubled back went on to score a brilliant hundred, facing the brilliant bowling of Wasim, Waqar and Saglain. Sachin departed when India needed only 16 runs. A lot of you would say it was a bad shot that got Sachin out. What if that shot had gone for a four? He is only human. India needed only 12 runs, but Sunil Joshi(who had just struck a brilliant six), Anil Kumble(highest test score of 88), Javagal Srinath(highest one day score of 70 odd runs), and Prasad all fell making just 4 runs, robbing india for the well deserved victory.
RAHUL DRAVID (180 against Australia in 1999): Mr. Dependable proved once again what a devastating test batsman he is. Lived up to his reputation of being nicknamed the wall as him and Laxman batted the whole day of the test without losing their wickets. Overshadowed by Laxman’s epic knock of 281 but was truly a gem of an innings.
Sachin Tendulkar( 200 against Australia, 3 day match: Mumbai VS Australia): SO what if Sachin was playing for Mumbai, not India. It was still being played against Australia. Three day game is normally considered a practice game for touring international sides, but Sachin had something else in his mind. He went on to score a brilliant 200 at almost run a ball, and the mumbai spinners did the rest as Mumbai went on to defeat Australia within three days. Shane Warne was recieved a welcome by being thrashed all over the ground.
5.VVS Laxman ( 167 against Australia in Australia): India lost the game but it was really a gem of an innings. Laxman, a doubted member of the India team proved his worth as a batsman.
Sachin Tendulkar( 155 not out against Australia in 1998: This knock took place a week after Australia recieved a thrashing from mumbai. Sachin was dismissed on 4 in the first innings, because of Sachin’s impatience and India trailed Australia by 79 runs but Sachin’s brilliant undefeated knock put Australia out of the match. Shane Warne later admitted having nightmares of Sachin Tendulkar racing down the track and belting him over his head.
Rahul Dravid (148 against South Africa): Rahul’s valiant effort in the second innings gave India a great chance to win the test match. Fate had something else planned however as rain washed three hours of match as South Africans salvaged a tame draw.
Sachin Tendulkar(114 against Australia at perth):A brilliant effort by a seventeen year old Sachinon the daunting WACA wicket against a four pronged pace attack comprising of McDermott, Hughes, Reiffel and Whitney. A series of rasping square cuts were the centrepiece of his 114 which occupied 161 balls.
Sachin Tendulkar:(169 against South Africa in South Africa: India was struggling at 58/5, and Sachin counter attacked. He made a glorious 169 in the first innings adding 222 for the fifth wicket with Azharuddin. After the match was over, which South Africa won, Allan Donald hailed the Sachin tendulkar innings as the best he has ever seen.
Sachin Tendulkar: (116 against Australia at Melbourne in 1999): It took him only 191 balls to make this fantastic hundred. The second highest individual score was 31 from Ganguly. Sachin concentrated and played defensive in the beginning looking for a partner. When he ran out of everyone, he thrashed Australians all over the ground. Sachin Tendulkar was the highest scorer in the second innings as well but India lost the match.
I am a big big fan of Sachin Tendulkar but it has nothing to do with my ranking of the innings. I have been extremely honest. Comments, criticism would be appreciated.
Prince