Top 5 highest successful run chases by India in Test cricket

India has long been one of the most successful cricketing nations, especially in Test cricket. While the team has dominated at home for decades, recent years have also seen them pull off impressive victories in overseas conditions—something that was once considered their Achilles’ heel.

Across different eras, Indian cricket has produced legendary batters known for their technique, temperament, and ability to thrive under pressure. Some of India’s most unforgettable Test wins have come while chasing targets—often the toughest challenge in the longest format, where pitch conditions deteriorate and every run feels hard-earned.

Despite the difficulty of batting in the fourth innings, India’s batters have delivered some exceptional performances, successfully hunting down big totals when it mattered most.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the five highest successful run chases by the Indian cricket team in Test cricket so far.

5. 264/3 vs Sri Lanka, Kandy, 2001

During India’s 2001 tour of Sri Lanka, the visitors pulled off a memorable victory in the Kandy Test by successfully chasing down a target of 264 — their highest run-chase against the Sri Lankans at the time.

Sri Lanka had posted 274 in their first innings, thanks largely to a classy 104 from Mahela Jayawardene off 149 balls. India replied with 232, falling short but keeping the contest alive.

In their second outing, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 221, leaving India with a challenging target. The chase was anchored by Sourav Ganguly’s brilliant, match-winning knock of 98, which steered India to a convincing seven-wicket win.

4. 276/5 vs West Indies, Delhi, 2011

The Asian giants successfully chased down a target of 276 against the West Indies in the 2011 Delhi Test. The visitors had posted a solid 304 in their first innings, after which India struggled and were bowled out for 209.

In the second innings, Ravichandran Ashwin turned the game around with a brilliant six-wicket haul, restricting the West Indies to just 180. Chasing 276 for victory, Sachin Tendulkar (76) and VVS Laxman (an unbeaten 58) guided India to a comfortable five-wicket win.

3. 329/7 vs Australia, Brisbane, 2021

India’s win at the Gabba in 2021 remains one of the most iconic victories in the country’s Test cricket history.

Australia posted 369 in their first innings, thanks largely to a superb century from Marnus Labuschagne (108). India responded with 336, led by gritty half-centuries from Washington Sundar (62) and Shardul Thakur (67), who kept the team in the contest with their resilient partnership.

In their second innings, Australia were bowled out for 294, setting India a challenging target of 328. Chasing on the final day at a venue where Australia hadn’t lost in 32 years, India produced a remarkable batting display. Shubman Gill’s fluent 91, Cheteshwar Pujara’s tough-as-nails 56, and Rishabh Pant’s match-winning unbeaten 89 powered India to a historic three-wicket victory.

It was a triumph that epitomized courage, belief, and teamwork—an unforgettable moment in Indian cricket.

2. 387/4 vs England, Chennai, 2008

In the 2008 Chennai Test against England, India pulled off a remarkable chase of 387 runs. England had set things up with a first-innings total of 316, and India struggled in response, getting bowled out for 241 despite a fighting 53 from MS Dhoni.

England strengthened their position in the match with a second-innings declaration at 311/9, built on superb centuries from Andrew Strauss and Paul Collingwood.

Facing a daunting target of 387, India got the perfect start thanks to Virender Sehwag, who smashed a thrilling 83 off just 68 balls. His explosive knock shifted the momentum, and Sachin Tendulkar sealed the historic win with a classy, unbeaten 103, guiding India home by six wickets.

1. 406/4 vs West Indies, Port of Spain, 1976

India pulled off their highest successful run chase in Test cricket in 1976, hunting down a massive target of 403 against the West Indies in Port of Spain.

The West Indies had started strongly, riding on a brilliant 177 from the legendary Viv Richards to post 359 in their first innings. India, however, stumbled in reply and were bowled out for just 228. In their second innings, the hosts declared at 271/6, thanks largely to an unbeaten 103 from Alvin Kallicharran, setting India an imposing 403 to win.

What followed was one of India’s greatest batting displays overseas. Sunil Gavaskar (102), Mohinder Amarnath (85), and Gundappa Viswanath (112) played superb, determined knocks to guide India to a remarkable six-wicket victory and a historic chase.

Cover Credits - ESPNcricinfo