When it comes to Indian cricket we Indians raise one eye brow while our other eye seems to get moist. We are probably the only junta who is more emotional to cricket and cricket stars rather than being excited. Anyways all said and done, test cricket is something that I still love to watch.
From the time I started understanding cricket there have been some tremendous test innings I have heard about or witnessed myself. One thing is sure that they have all been great players, or they are as a matter of fact.
Here goes the list:
SUNIL GAVASKAR: He has been one guy who must have had the highest number of top test innings in Indian cricket history. However the one that stands apart is a double century he scored against West Indies in their country. That too against the likes of Garner, marshall and co. It was indeed determination and confidence personified.
KAPIL DEV: This one has not been a marathon effort but it goes as a top effort in my books. There was a situation when India desperately needed some 24 runs to avoid a follow-on against England maybe. Kapil was batting with the last man. The over started and all he did was hit 4 sixes in a row and the follow-on was easily avoided. Piece of cake. India also went on to win the game.
SACHIN TENDULKAR: It is indeed very very difficult to figure out what would be this mans top innings in a test match. But I would certainly rate his century against the Australians when they came to tour India first time around under Mark Taylor. It was a top innings not only in terms of scoring the runs but a major effort in shattering the confidence of Shane Warne to pieces not only in that match but for the rest of the series. It gave every Indian player the confidence to play Warne freely, and by his standards Warne went almost wicketless in the complete series. The great cricketing brain - TENDULKAR
VVS LAXMAN: Surely every soul remembers this one. Laxman’s 281 against the world beaters Australia. A knock that ended their winning streak and helped India find the confidence to take the series later on. This knock also brought our the star player attitude for Laxman which has proved very handy for Indian cricket. From this day it was not top 3 for India but top 4.
RAHUL DRAVID: For all the years, whenever Rahul came up with a innings of a lifetime there was a better innings at the opposite end. Many a times he has extended his support in big partnerships. His effort in the big partnership against Australia cannot be downplayed where he too stood for the whole day with Laxman to demoralise the Aussies. But what stands apart is the knock he played against South Africa in SA when India toured last. He was the only batsman on that tour who put his hand up and foot down to stand like a wall against the Proteas. He scored a magnificent 179. This innings and knocks like these earned him the name - THE WALL