Which are the 12 best 200+ innings in the history of Test cricket?

[Harsh Thakor]

My list of best 200+ innings in history of test cricket chosen in order of merit

1.Stan Mcabe 232 at Trent Bridge in 1938.

2.V.V.S Laxman 281 at Kolkata in 2001

3.Brian Lara 213 at Kingston in 1999 v Australia

4.Gary Sobers 254 at Melbourne in 1972.

5.Gordon Greenidge 214 n.o at Lords in 1984.

6.Viv Richards 232 at Trent Bridge in 1984.

7.Sunil Gavaskar 221 at the Oval in 1979

8.Virendra Sehwag 309 at Multan in 2004.

9.Rahul Dravid 233 at Adelaide in 2003-04.

10.Lawrence Rowe 302 v England at Barbados in 1973-74.

11.Brian Lara 277 at Sydney in 1992-93

12.Hanif Mohammad 337 at Barbados in 1957-58.

Mcabe at the top for countering pace with skill in regions of the sublime.


Laxman ressurected India from the depths of despair to reach pinnacle of glory.

Lara took the attack simply by the scruff of the neck in a most difficult situationat Kingston.


Sobers was closest to the perfect cricket innings without a blemish and taking domination of bolwing to it's ultimate zenith..Like a bulldozer,engineer and muiscian moulded into one,

Greenidge's double ton at Lords resembled a combustion engine taking the bowling to shreds with the agression of an army batallion.

Dravid virtually duplicated VVS's effort in Kolkata to revive India .


Sunil Gavaskar's 221 at the Oval almost took India to the pinnacle of glory being an epitome of batting perfection.

Lara's 277 at Sydney was classic from the artistic point of view.

Viv Richard's 232 was masterpiece on a difficult track.


Sehwag resembled a dynamite exploding traversing region sin batting rarely done.

Hanif Mohamad resembled a boulder resisting the most powerful of gale's revealing technical skill at the height of divinity.


Lawrence Rowe was elegance and technical correctness personified.

 

[Dagestani_Eagle]

Younis Khan's last Double ton?

 

[the_outsider]

My list of best 200+ innings in history of test cricket chosen in order of merit

1.Stan Mcabe 232 at Trent Bridge in 1938.

2.V.V.S Laxman 281 at Kolkata in 2001

3.Brian Lara 213 at Kingston in 1999 v Australia

4.Gary Sobers 254 at Melbourne in 1972.

5.Gordon Greenidge 214 n.o at Lords in 1984.

6.Viv Richards 232 at Trent Bridge in 1984.

7.Sunil Gavaskar 221 at the Oval in 1979

8.Virendra Sehwag 309 at Multan in 2004.

9.Rahul Dravid 233 at Adelaide in 2003-04.

10.Lawrence Rowe 302 v England at Barbados in 1973-74.

11.Brian Lara 277 at Sydney in 1992-93

12.Hanif Mohammad 337 at Barbados in 1957-58.

Mcabe at the top for countering pace with skill in regions of the sublime.


Laxman ressurected India from the depths of despair to reach pinnacle of glory.

Lara took the attack simply by the scruff of the neck in a most difficult situationat Kingston.


Sobers was closest to the perfect cricket innings without a blemish and taking domination of bolwing to it's ultimate zenith..Like a bulldozer,engineer and muiscian moulded into one,

Greenidge's double ton at Lords resembled a combustion engine taking the bowling to shreds with the agression of an army batallion.

Dravid virtually duplicated VVS's effort in Kolkata to revive India .


Sunil Gavaskar's 221 at the Oval almost took India to the pinnacle of glory being an epitome of batting perfection.

Lara's 277 at Sydney was classic from the artistic point of view.

Viv Richard's 232 was masterpiece on a difficult track.


Sehwag resembled a dynamite exploding traversing region sin batting rarely done.

Hanif Mohamad resembled a boulder resisting the most powerful of gale's revealing technical skill at the height of divinity.


Lawrence Rowe was elegance and technical correctness personified.

Excellent list.

People will have their preferences so I expect a lot of debate around this. But every single innings in your list deserves to be there.

PS: I have never seen any footage of Stan Mcabe though, I don't want to comment on that.

 

[Ab Fan]

Matthew Hayden double hundred vs India in Chennai- One of the best inning by a non Asian batsmen in Asia.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Excellent list.

People will have their preferences so I expect a lot of debate around this. But every single innings in your list deserves to be there.

PS: I have never seen any footage of Stan Mcabe though, I don't want to comment on that.

Appreciate your response very much sir.In the true spirit of the game.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Younis Khan's last Double ton?

Almost made it good choice.

 

[pratiktc]

IMO Sehwag's 201 at Galle against Murali and Mendis is much better inns than his 309/319/293

 

[Ali_Pakistan]

Hanif Mohammed 337
VVS Laxman 281
These two have to be there because at both instances the pressure on their team was huge and they were losing. I don't find the double tons from the 1st or 2nd innings of a match as more impressive as there is less pressure on teams. Obviously there could be exceptions when the pitch and conditions are difficult for batting. To me 3rd and 4th innings double tons are better the 1st or 2nd innings.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Hanif Mohammed 337
VVS Laxman 281
These two have to be there because at both instances the pressure on their team was huge and they were losing. I don't find the double tons from the 1st or 2nd innings of a match as more impressive as there is less pressure on teams. Obviously there could be exceptions when the pitch and conditions are difficult for batting. To me 3rd and 4th innings double tons are better the 1st or 2nd innings.

Totally agree

 

[Harsh Thakor]

IMO Sehwag's 201 at Galle against Murali and Mendis is much better inns than his 309/319/293

Great choice. Debatable but valid.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Take great issue with the innings at the top, England's bowling attack that day was Farnes, Sinfield, Wright, Verity and Hammond. Hammond even took the new ball, Verity only bowled 7 overs. It was a flat pitch which had all the hallmarks of a snoozefest. I'm sorry but to consign Laxman's 281, or even Lara's 213 behind this knock is somewhat droll.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Take great issue with the innings at the top, England's bowling attack that day was Farnes, Sinfield, Wright, Verity and Hammond. Hammond even took the new ball, Verity only bowled 7 overs. It was a flat pitch which had all the hallmarks of a snoozefest. I'm sorry but to consign Laxman's 281, or even Lara's 213 behind this knock is somewhat droll.

Very well evaluated but you forget the era when pitches were uncovered and there was no protective gear.

 

[TM Riddle]

Rahul David's 270 in Rawalpindi which helped India win the historic series in Pakistan.

 

[adzzy786]

Younis Khan 267 in India needs to be on that list. Incredible nock

 

[RainMan_]

Shakib's double ton In New Zealand was something special.

 

[barah_admi]

Agreed with the guy above. Only having read about that innings and going off of scorecards, it seems it came against a very weak attack. I personally would only rank those innings I have seen or can find footage of. I do appreciate how much research it takes to do a top 12 and a lot of those innings are deserving of their place. I will make a personal top 5 for now.

1. Muhammad Yousuf 202 v England at Lord's - the most iconic double hundred I saw live. Pakistan would go on to be thrashed in this series and the controversy at the tail end did not help but when it all started, Yousuf continued is terrific form for that season. England amasses a mammoth score of 500+, in reply Pakistan were next to nothing with 3 wickets down and seemed to be heading for a defeat when Yousuf stepped in. He played on a different pitch to every other batsman, scored beautiful, his cover drives the epitome of beauty. Aesthetically it was a marvel, the fact that he did it with wickets falling around him make it the best.

2. Brian Lara 226 v Australia at Adelaide - Lara ta his best has become a mythical creature, one of pure timing, leaping brilliance but the Lara that greeted Australia in 2005 was not at his best. He would never again reach the heights of his career in the early to mid 90s...could any man? This is what makes his against the odds double so special. His reflexes had dulled, his speed of hand and eyes a flicker of what it once was but he curved his way through McGrath, Lee, Warne and MacGill. He had to tough it out, play within what he was capable and yet still scored freely. It was a rage against the dying tide, Lara would not go into the night gently.

3. VVS Laxman 281 v Australia at Kolkata - Australia were all over India. McGrath had sealed himself as a great of the game and it looked to be a losing situation but Laxman had other plans. On a pitch which was flattening, he took full advantage. He was watchful and confident, he milked Australia attack, put away the bad balls, blocked or left the good ones. It was back to basics stuff, and then he attacked. Forty-four boundaries were struck and it seems certain, in hindsight however, that Laxman was not merely looking to survive, he was looking to win.

4. Younis Khan 267 v India at Bengaluru - Many will cite Khan's double at The Oval as his finest score, it may well be the most sublime 200 scored this decade but it is not the best. Khan's magnum opus was in India, in 2005, against his teams most hardened foe: India. In a hostile environment, during a must win situation, Khan took the attack to the likes of Kumble, Harbhajan, Pathan and Balaji. He out scored Dravid, Sehwag and Tendulkar...that too in their backyard. Khan has always been a man for a crisis, he is a remarkable fighter but this right here signified him as a remarkable batsman. A match wining one.

5. Viv Richards 291 v England at The Oval - There is so much that can be said about Sir Vivian Richards. He was a master stroke maker, the ultimate attacking batsman, a pioneer and a brute. England paid for their arrogance in the summer of 76 and they paid most dearly at the wooden blade of Richards. He slashed, hooked, pulled and drove his way through the likes of Willis and Underwood, making a mockery of one of England's finest test sides. For sheer power and arrogance, there are few better innings. For humbling an opposition side in need of it, there is no other. Viv truly was King Viv that match.

 

[Rahul1]

The fact that the 281 by VVS Laxman is not number 1 on this list made me stop reading the list after the first couple of lines.

 

[Rahul1]

Agreed with the guy above. Only having read about that innings and going off of scorecards, it seems it came against a very weak attack. I personally would only rank those innings I have seen or can find footage of. I do appreciate how much research it takes to do a top 12 and a lot of those innings are deserving of their place. I will make a personal top 5 for now.

1. Muhammad Yousuf 202 v England at Lord's - the most iconic double hundred I saw live. Pakistan would go on to be thrashed in this series and the controversy at the tail end did not help but when it all started, Yousuf continued is terrific form for that season. England amasses a mammoth score of 500+, in reply Pakistan were next to nothing with 3 wickets down and seemed to be heading for a defeat when Yousuf stepped in. He played on a different pitch to every other batsman, scored beautiful, his cover drives the epitome of beauty. Aesthetically it was a marvel, the fact that he did it with wickets falling around him make it the best.

2. Brian Lara 226 v Australia at Adelaide - Lara ta his best has become a mythical creature, one of pure timing, leaping brilliance but the Lara that greeted Australia in 2005 was not at his best. He would never again reach the heights of his career in the early to mid 90s...could any man? This is what makes his against the odds double so special. His reflexes had dulled, his speed of hand and eyes a flicker of what it once was but he curved his way through McGrath, Lee, Warne and MacGill. He had to tough it out, play within what he was capable and yet still scored freely. It was a rage against the dying tide, Lara would not go into the night gently.

3. VVS Laxman 281 v Australia at Kolkata - Australia were all over India. McGrath had sealed himself as a great of the game and it looked to be a losing situation but Laxman had other plans. On a pitch which was flattening, he took full advantage. He was watchful and confident, he milked Australia attack, put away the bad balls, blocked or left the good ones. It was back to basics stuff, and then he attacked. Forty-four boundaries were struck and it seems certain, in hindsight however, that Laxman was not merely looking to survive, he was looking to win.

4. Younis Khan 267 v India at Bengaluru - Many will cite Khan's double at The Oval as his finest score, it may well be the most sublime 200 scored this decade but it is not the best. Khan's magnum opus was in India, in 2005, against his teams most hardened foe: India. In a hostile environment, during a must win situation, Khan took the attack to the likes of Kumble, Harbhajan, Pathan and Balaji. He out scored Dravid, Sehwag and Tendulkar...that too in their backyard. Khan has always been a man for a crisis, he is a remarkable fighter but this right here signified him as a remarkable batsman. A match wining one.

5. Viv Richards 291 v England at The Oval - There is so much that can be said about Sir Vivian Richards. He was a master stroke maker, the ultimate attacking batsman, a pioneer and a brute. England paid for their arrogance in the summer of 76 and they paid most dearly at the wooden blade of Richards. He slashed, hooked, pulled and drove his way through the likes of Willis and Underwood, making a mockery of one of England's finest test sides. For sheer power and arrogance, there are few better innings. For humbling an opposition side in need of it, there is no other. Viv truly was King Viv that match.

And you accuse us of being biased.

 

[Mute Witness]

Yes absolutely, take Hanif's effort for example. West Indies score 579, then dismiss Pakistan for 106, it's surely over, away from home. And then Hanif takes guard, batting Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday! (six day tests back then). It's unfathomable. To maintain that level of concentration, on an increasingly worn-out pitch, under the pressure of losing by an innings, with no neutral umpires mind you, that must have been some effort. I'd certainly put it closer to the top.

 

[Mute Witness]

Also Pakistan was still an infant team back then, on it's first tour to the West Indies.

 

[Canford Cliffs]

Shakib's double ton In New Zealand was something special.

Think Gillespie's double was better

 

[Last Monetarist]

Very well evaluated but you forget the era when pitches were uncovered and there was no protective gear.

That's a very convenient excuse and not at all relevant in this case. Geoffrey Boycott's old Auntie Annie would have been able to bat against that attack without a helmet. It was hardly Larwood and Voce bowling bodyline. For heaven's sake, Wally Hammond opened the bowling (he averaged 38 with the ball). The opposition had scored 650 batting first on that same track. It was not as if it had rained and the ball was spitting all over the shop. Verity was injured.

Now if you had included Bradman's 270 against England at the MCG in 1937, which did come on a track affected by rain, I'd be prepared to acknowledge the greatness of that innings. But this is just nostalgic romanticism, McCabe's innings was against a club-grade attack.

 

[Mamoon]

It is an innings lost in history, but I think Astle’s 222 against England at Christchurch in 2001 deserves a mention.

The bowling attack wasn’t phenomenal and the conditions weren’t bad, but New Zealand were chasing over 500 and he produced one of the best displays of ball striking ever. That innings deserves more recognition - it is also the fastest double-hundred till date.

Incidentally, G. Thorpe also scored a very underrated double-hundred in that game. Arguably the finest innings of his career overshadowed by the finest innings of Astle’s career.

 

[AMSS]

Everyone will have their own biases and favorites. Here's mine.

Sehwag's gravity defying 201 at Galle, 2008.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...s-india-2nd-test-india-tour-of-sri-lanka-2008

This is what Sehwag consistently did, stood out in one of the greatest test line up assembled. Nonchalantly owned the bowling when some of the best ever players of spin struggled to decode Mendis.

 

[Tusker]

Very well evaluated but you forget the era when pitches were uncovered and there was no protective gear.

I know you are not really into critical analysis and you get upset at anyone questioning past greats but just for sake of pure common sense and your own sanity answer these questions :

1. What is the difference between an uncovered pitch and a covered pitch *IF* it does not rain during the course of the match ?

2. How does a Team score 650+ runs on a treacherous pitch batting for 188 overs in a 4-Day match? How does such a treacherous pitch produce 1496 runs in just 4 days of cricket and only 24 wkts fell ?

3. Eng bowled 314 overs in the last 2.5 days of cricket . There was a rest day after the 2nd day so they bowled at least 250 overs in those 2 days .... which bowling attack can handle that kind of workload ?

Just Think !!!


Link for scorecard:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...ralia-1st-test-australia-tour-of-england-1938

[MENTION=140824]Last Monetarist[/MENTION]

 

[Tusker]

Very well evaluated but you forget the era when pitches were uncovered and there was no protective gear.

I know you are not really into critical analysis and you get upset at anyone questioning past greats but just for sake of pure common sense and your own sanity answer these questions :

1. What is the difference between an uncovered pitch and a covered pitch *IF* it does not rain during the course of the match ?

2. How does a Team score 650+ runs on a treacherous pitch batting for 188 overs in a 4-Day match? How does such a treacherous pitch produce 1496 runs in just 4 days of cricket and only 24 wkts fell ?

3. Eng bowled 314 overs in the last 2.5 days of cricket . There was a rest day after the 2nd day so they bowled at least 250 overs in those 2 days .... which bowling attack can handle that kind of workload ?

Just Think !!!


Link for scorecard:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...ralia-1st-test-australia-tour-of-england-1938

[MENTION=140824]Last Monetarist[/MENTION]

Just to add to that a total of 502 Overs were bowled in 4 days of cricket in that match. Thats 125 Overs/Day on Average. Even a full spin bowling attack wont be able to bowl that much in todays cricket without losing potency. Just go look at bowling clips from that ERA and you will realize the problem.

 

[msb314]

Almost made it good choice.

YK’s 267 at Bangalore?

 

[msb314]

My list of best 200+ innings in history of test cricket chosen in order of merit

1.Stan Mcabe 232 at Trent Bridge in 1938.

2.V.V.S Laxman 281 at Kolkata in 2001

3.Brian Lara 213 at Kingston in 1999 v Australia

4.Gary Sobers 254 at Melbourne in 1972.

5.Gordon Greenidge 214 n.o at Lords in 1984.

6.Viv Richards 232 at Trent Bridge in 1984.

7.Sunil Gavaskar 221 at the Oval in 1979

8.Virendra Sehwag 309 at Multan in 2004.

9.Rahul Dravid 233 at Adelaide in 2003-04.

10.Lawrence Rowe 302 v England at Barbados in 1973-74.

11.Brian Lara 277 at Sydney in 1992-93

12.Hanif Mohammad 337 at Barbados in 1957-58.

Mcabe at the top for countering pace with skill in regions of the sublime.


Laxman ressurected India from the depths of despair to reach pinnacle of glory.

Lara took the attack simply by the scruff of the neck in a most difficult situationat Kingston.


Sobers was closest to the perfect cricket innings without a blemish and taking domination of bolwing to it's ultimate zenith..Like a bulldozer,engineer and muiscian moulded into one,

Greenidge's double ton at Lords resembled a combustion engine taking the bowling to shreds with the agression of an army batallion.

Dravid virtually duplicated VVS's effort in Kolkata to revive India .


Sunil Gavaskar's 221 at the Oval almost took India to the pinnacle of glory being an epitome of batting perfection.

Lara's 277 at Sydney was classic from the artistic point of view.

Viv Richard's 232 was masterpiece on a difficult track.


Sehwag resembled a dynamite exploding traversing region sin batting rarely done.

Hanif Mohamad resembled a boulder resisting the most powerful of gale's revealing technical skill at the height of divinity.


Lawrence Rowe was elegance and technical correctness personified.

Rahul David's 270 in Rawalpindi which helped India win the historic series in Pakistan.

The fact that the 281 by VVS Laxman is not number 1 on this list made me stop reading the list after the first couple of lines.

McCullum’s 302 vs India at Wellington 2014.

Truly back of the wall stuff in a game NZ were destined to lose by a huge innings defeat but McCullum had other plans.

As good (if not better) than Laxman’s 281 - one of the finest knocks in my lifetime!

 

[khan-92]

Younis Khan 267 in India needs to be on that list. Incredible nock

Definitely gave Pakistan victory Bangalore Test & level the series.

 

[Mamoon]

Eye-opening posts by Tusker and LM. The more you dig deep, the more you realize how mythical the past of cricket is.

Pre-1970s, the game was a joke, and I don’t mean any disrespect to the bunch of amateurs who played the game at an amateur level and whom we now call greats of the game.

They all played their part in making cricket the game it is today, and they deserve to be recognized for it.

 

[the_outsider]

McCullum’s 302 vs India at Wellington 2014.

Truly back of the wall stuff in a game NZ were destined to lose by a huge innings defeat but McCullum had other plans.

As good (if not better) than Laxman’s 281 - one of the finest knocks in my lifetime!

Cannot say it was equal (let alone better) than Laxman's 281 as that innings lead to a test victory while McCullum's innings lead to a draw.

And the difference between the Australian bowling line up and India's lineup on that NZ tour was also very large.

 

[barah_admi]

And you accuse us of being biased.

What would be your argument with it not being a top 5 200? As I said, it's based on what I've seen or can find footage of. It is not only an innings that saved the game, it won him a man of the match and it was the only instance of a Pakistani batsman being remarkable in England that season, against one of the best English sides in recent times. There is no bias in it, that year Yousuf was Bardman-esque and broke records left, right and centre.

 

[Tusker]

Eye-opening posts by Tusker and LM. The more you dig deep, the more you realize how mythical the past of cricket is.

Pre-1970s, the game was a joke, and I don’t mean any disrespect to the bunch of amateurs who played the game at an amateur level and whom we now call greats of the game.

They all played their part in making cricket the game it is today, and they deserve to be recognized for it.

But you gotta appreciate how systematically and thoroughly the English media has brainwashed everyone. The moment you argue against any of the old era cricket you will instantly run into a huge concrete wall of resistance. Some even get angry !

 

[Last Monetarist]

Honestly it's the equivalent of stating Ben Stokes' 258 at Newlands in 2016 is the best test innings of all time. In fact, I'd easily wager that innings came against a significantly stronger bowling attack. [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=134300]Tusker[/MENTION]

 

[Mamoon]

Honestly it's the equivalent of stating Ben Stokes' 258 at Newlands in 2016 is the best test innings of all time. In fact, I'd easily wager that innings came against a significantly stronger bowling attack. [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=134300]Tusker[/MENTION]

That is one underrated innings - he smashed Rabada. It takes serious skill and guts to bat at a SR of 130+ against that attack for over 5 hours.

 

[Tusker]

Honestly it's the equivalent of stating Ben Stokes' 258 at Newlands in 2016 is the best test innings of all time. In fact, I'd easily wager that innings came against a significantly stronger bowling attack. [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] [MENTION=134300]Tusker[/MENTION]

Agree with [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] ... its a significantly far better innings than the Stan McCabe innings.

 

[msb314]

Cannot say it was equal (let alone better) than Laxman's 281 as that innings lead to a test victory while McCullum's innings lead to a draw.

And the difference between the Australian bowling line up and India's lineup on that NZ tour was also very large.

McCullum probably had easier batting conditions and possibly less pressure since a series loss was out of the question at that point.

However, make no mistake, NZ were in a more precarious position than India was in Kolkota 2001. NZ in Wellington had been reduced 97/5 and still trailed by 250 runs. I believe India were 240/4 when Dravid joined Laxman at the crease during the Kolkta test.

Granted the Wellington pitch became an absolute featherbed but keep in mind that meant even a lead of 350 was not safe for NZ going into the final day. NZ bowled pretty well and their bowling got overshadowed by BMac's batting. Had Kohli been given out - who knows what could have been that day...

 

[Ramsay]

McCullum probably had easier batting conditions and possibly less pressure since a series loss was out of the question at that point.

However, make no mistake, NZ were in a more precarious position than India was in Kolkota 2001. NZ in Wellington had been reduced 97/5 and still trailed by 250 runs. I believe India were 240/4 when Dravid joined Laxman at the crease during the Kolkta test.

Granted the Wellington pitch became an absolute featherbed but keep in mind that meant even a lead of 350 was not safe for NZ going into the final day. NZ bowled pretty well and their bowling got overshadowed by BMac's batting. Had Kohli been given out - who knows what could have been that day...

Correction! India lost Ganguly and were 84/4, when Dravid came in not 240/4.

 

[msb314]

Correction! India lost Ganguly and were 84/4, when Dravid came in not 240/4.

I think you are confusing their 3rd innings lead with their actual score at the time..

You are probably right that their lead was only around 80 but their score was 200+ when Ganguly was dismissed for 48.

 

[subshakerz]

Dean Jones' brave 210 against India in 1986 should deserve a mention.

Lara's double in Sri Lanka in 2001 against Murali at his best.

Salim Malik scored 237 when Pakistan were following against a peak Warne to save the test.

 

[the_outsider]

McCullum probably had easier batting conditions and possibly less pressure since a series loss was out of the question at that point.

However, make no mistake, NZ were in a more precarious position than India was in Kolkota 2001. NZ in Wellington had been reduced 97/5 and still trailed by 250 runs. I believe India were 240/4 when Dravid joined Laxman at the crease during the Kolkta test.

Granted the Wellington pitch became an absolute featherbed but keep in mind that meant even a lead of 350 was not safe for NZ going into the final day. NZ bowled pretty well and their bowling got overshadowed by BMac's batting. Had Kohli been given out - who knows what could have been that day...

McCullum definitely had better batting conditions. Laxman had to face peak Warne on a dusty Kolkata pitch on days 3 & 4. On top of that McGrath and Gillespie were also in top form on that tour.

And as you have already mentioned, the context was very different. India had so much more on the line when Laxman came to the crease.

McCullum's innings was an brilliant knock. But Laxman's was a few notches above - not just for the sheer number of runs but also for the bowling lineup, conditions and actual match scenario.

 

[big_gamer007]

Agree with [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] ... its a significantly far better innings than the Stan McCabe innings.

Even Shakib and Gillespie's innings were better than McCabe's innings who no one alive has seen.

I think for most indian fans it has to be Laxman's innings if you look at everything in context.

Steve Waugh's team had conquered the entire world and had the best ever team in history of test cricket, they were demolishing everyone in their path and even the second best team SA looked like minnows when playing the mighty Australians. Their final frontier was to win a series in India and they were 1-0 up on the verge of conquering Mount Everest to and had dismissed India and asked them to follow on. What followed after that is something out of the world and only happens in test cricket in decades.

If you look at the entire context of that innings and the fact that he came in at number 3 which is not his natural position just because all the other batsmen could not do anything in first innings. It truly has to be a master class. On top of that it was against the best spinner the world has ever seen and the best fast bowler the world has ever seen.

I don't think it gets any better than that. No other innings come close IMO.

 

[Justcrazy]

Laxman innings was absolutely great , it changed not only the match or series , but stopped the carnage of Australia . Australia till then had won 16 consecutive test matches.

 

[Srtfan]

In kolkata test ,Dravid came in 240 /4,but still india behind by 44 run.Australia got first inning lead of 274.

 

[Srtfan]

[MENTION=143656]Ramsay[/MENTION] 84/ 4 was adelaide test,where Dravid scored 233 & laxman 148.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Laxman 281 hands down by far the greatest test knock played in Bhaijan's time.

 

[Ab Fan]

VVS 281 quite easily..

Also, OP should mention Sehwag's 200 at Galle rather than the one he got in Multan.

 

[Cric1234]

Stan McCabe 192 in the bodyline series was a masterful innings but not a double hundred the one included here wouldn't make any list a flat pitch and an average attack.
Don Bradmans 270 is the highest rated of all time followed by VVS Laxmans 281 people will argue for Laxmans innings due to modern era and a top attack also stopping Australia's winning run but Bradmans was crucial aswell losing 2-0 in the series and bringing his team back into it and winning the series 3-2.

 

[Cric1234]

Correction McCabe made 187 in the bodyline series not 192.
Sanath Jayasuriyas match winning 253 against Pakistan at Faisalabad is another fine double century which isn't mentioned.

 

[Tusker]

Even Shakib and Gillespie's innings were better than McCabe's innings who no one alive has seen.

I think for most indian fans it has to be Laxman's innings if you look at everything in context.

Steve Waugh's team had conquered the entire world and had the best ever team in history of test cricket, they were demolishing everyone in their path and even the second best team SA looked like minnows when playing the mighty Australians. Their final frontier was to win a series in India and they were 1-0 up on the verge of conquering Mount Everest to and had dismissed India and asked them to follow on. What followed after that is something out of the world and only happens in test cricket in decades.

If you look at the entire context of that innings and the fact that he came in at number 3 which is not his natural position just because all the other batsmen could not do anything in first innings. It truly has to be a master class. On top of that it was against the best spinner the world has ever seen and the best fast bowler the world has ever seen.

I don't think it gets any better than that. No other innings come close IMO.

Absolutely. That VVS 281 inngs is something else !. Considering that he was not fully fit and against that bowling attack in its prime. Also the shot making in that innings was just incredible and rarely played a false shot. The word Epic is often used to describe many inngs but this is the only inngs that deserves that label

As for context .... following on 274 runs behind ... 99.99% there is only one outcome - The team following on will lose.

 

[Napa]

Gavaskar's 220 at Port of Spain, the last Test of 1971 series, is probably the most significant double for a variety of reasons:

1) Prior to this series, India had never won a series in WI, Eng or Aus.
2) Going into the last Test, India were leading 1-0, so WI were expected to come hard at them and they did, taking a 161 run first innings lead.
3) Gavaskar's 220 in the 3rd innings outscored the rest of the Indian team, and the total of 427 entirely changed the complexion of the game, and WI struggled to survive with the game ending with WI at 165/8. Gavaskar has also scored 124 in the first innings.
4) Gavaskar's double preserved India's series victory, and put India on the path to the #1 ranking which followed in a couple of years. A breakthrough not only for India, but also for Asia.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...ia-5th-test-india-tour-of-west-indies-1970-71

 

[big_gamer007]

Gavaskar's 220 at Port of Spain, the last Test of 1971 series, is probably the most significant double for a variety of reasons:

1) Prior to this series, India had never won a series in WI, Eng or Aus.
2) Going into the last Test, India were leading 1-0, so WI were expected to come hard at them and they did, taking a 161 run first innings lead.
3) Gavaskar's 220 in the 3rd innings outscored the rest of the Indian team, and the total of 427 entirely changed the complexion of the game, and WI struggled to survive with the game ending with WI at 165/8. Gavaskar has also scored 124 in the first innings.
4) Gavaskar's double preserved India's series victory, and put India on the path to the #1 ranking which followed in a couple of years. A breakthrough not only for India, but also for Asia.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/...ia-5th-test-india-tour-of-west-indies-1970-71

I did not watch that innings nor was born in that era so would not know of the context.

However if you were to rate that innings vs the Laxman innings which one would you rate higher? Laxman;s innings context is given in post #42.
[MENTION=142162]Napa[/MENTION] [MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] [MENTION=134300]Tusker[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] which one would you rate higher?

 

[Napa]

I did not watch that innings nor was born in that era so would not know of the context.

However if you were to rate that innings vs the Laxman innings which one would you rate higher? Laxman;s innings context is given in post #42.
[MENTION=142162]Napa[/MENTION] [MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] [MENTION=134300]Tusker[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] which one would you rate higher?

It is kind of hard to choose between the Gavaskar and Laxman.

Gavaskar's innings is special because it was the coming to age of Indian cricket. India started playing Test cricket in 1932 (when Pakistan was still part of India) and hadn't won a series away against a top side till 1971. No Asian team had won an away series against the top teams Aus/Eng/WI till then. Gavaskar's innings preserved India's series victory. Though a poster like [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] may claim that cricket is about not losing, it is actually series victories that get you respect )

Laxman's innings is special because it stopped the rampaging Australians in their tracks, converting a series defeat into a series win. This was an Australian team which had recently beaten Pakistan in Pakistan, and were on course to defeat India in India. To win after following on against an ATG team is mind boggling.

One thing about Gavaskar's innings is that it was almost entirely Gavaskar's efforts which preserved India's series victory. He had a century in the first innings and a double in the second. His confidence and strike rate were fantastic, which had a positive on all of his teammates. India were at 337 when he got out for 220. In contrast Laxman had Dravid's company.

Tough to choose between the two innings, but I would probably go for Gavaskar's because of its historical significance.
[MENTION=146727]Rahul1[/MENTION] [MENTION=141520]troodon[/MENTION] [MENTION=132715]Varun[/MENTION] [MENTION=147270]the_outsider[/MENTION] [MENTION=146612]BlackShadow[/MENTION]

 

[MMHS]

I did not watch that innings nor was born in that era so would not know of the context.

However if you were to rate that innings vs the Laxman innings which one would you rate higher? Laxman;s innings context is given in post #42.
[MENTION=142162]Napa[/MENTION] [MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] [MENTION=134300]Tusker[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] which one would you rate higher?

VVS.

Sunni's innings was indeed significant, as that was a series winning knock, eventually led to a World Record (774 runs in debut series), and this is one of probably 3 occasions where a century & a double had been scored in a game. Also, that innings was played in a 6 Day Test, after conceding 176 runs lead. It was a classic example of rear guard - hard fought grafting to bail out a draw (remember, it was a 6 Day Test, 600 overs Test), he batted for almost 10 hours from one end and scored 220 out of 377. However, on pure batting merit, that innings doesn't get that much attention mainly because of the opponent bowling quality. Sobers at 35 was the opening bowler of WIN and their other bowlers were Dowe, Shepard, Noriega, Holford & Davis.

First of all, VVS's inning was an aesthetically master piece - you can hardly mention better cover drives & flicks than some played in that innings. It was a series saving innings, which eventually led to series win - context was, 0-1 down in a 3 Test series at home and asked to follow on with 250 sort of deficit, and not much time to force a result after recovering the deficit, therefore he had to score quickly as well. And, that AUS attack was one of the best in history of the game. Also, one thing people often ignore is that, it's extremely taxing to compete with that AUS side - some of the best ever cricketers with the filthiest mouth and they won't be shy to twist rule/relationship if their tail is twisted. They'll stress you to the limit for every second of the game - even for the 2nd run in 90th over of the day.

For me, it was a one of the top few doubles for sure in history, along with Lara's 213, Hanif's 337 & Bradman's 270.

 

[Napa]

However, on pure batting merit, that innings doesn't get that much attention mainly because of the opponent bowling quality. Sobers at 35 was the opening bowler of WIN and their other bowlers were Dowe, Shepard, Noriega, Holford & Davis.

It is still a tough choice for me between Gavaskar and VVS. You are right that the WI bowling attack lacked the sort of pacers they had in the 1980s. However there are two factors in favor of Gavaskar when you consider the bowling:

Gavaskar scored his double away while VVS was at home.

WI bowling was probably not weak, given that the rest of the Indian batsmen (including the tail) averaged 14.6. If you look at only the top 6 batsmen other than Gavaskar (Abid Ali, Wadekar, Sardesia, Vishwanath and Jaisimha), the average was 27.4 for the entire match, in contrast Gavaskar averaged 172. He actually outscored the remaining 5 Indian top order batsmen comfortably (344 runs vs. 274 runs). In % terms, Gavaskar's second innings score was 51.5% of his team's total, while VVS's was 42.8%.

Not to suggest that VVS's knock wasn't mind-blowing, along with Dravid's effort, it turned a lost series into a win against an ATG team.

 

[Tusker]

I did not watch that innings nor was born in that era so would not know of the context.

However if you were to rate that innings vs the Laxman innings which one would you rate higher? Laxman;s innings context is given in post #42.
[MENTION=142162]Napa[/MENTION] [MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION] [MENTION=134300]Tusker[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] which one would you rate higher?

VVS 281 without a shadow of doubt if the only criteria is difficulty level given the quality of bowling attack magnified by the situation. Bonus points for caning McGrath and Warne into submission through one delectable shot after another played over nearly 2 days of glorious batting. You can count the occasions on fingers of one hand that this has happened to those 2 gentlemen !

But I do agree with [MENTION=142162]Napa[/MENTION] on the point of Gavaskar's innings getting India the recognition. However Iam not a cricket romantic .

Incidentally - until the 281 Gavaskars 236 was the highest individual score for India