Which is the best Test match innings ever in a losing cause?

[Harsh Thakor]

Best Test match innings in a losing cause

This is my list of the best innings in order of merit in a losing cause.

1.Sunil Gavaskar's 96 v Pakistan at Bangalore

displayed genius on the worst of tracks which even Bradman would be unlikely to equal

2.Derek Randall's 174 in Melbourne in the centenary test in 1977

A cricketing epic with a flourish of spectacular driving ,cutting and hooking more like an art exhibition or music concert.England looked like acheiving the impossible when Randall was at the crease but neverthless cricket won a victory.

3.Sachin Tendulkar's 116 at Perth in 1991-92
Looked like Bradman re-incarnated.Arguably the most perfect innings of all blending great technical skill with ferocious agression,supreme concentration,sound temperament ,artistry and creative genius.Perfect judgement of length and timing.Even the good balls were dispatched to the boundary.


4.Sachin Tendulkar's 136 at Madras v Pakistan

A Perfect innings superbly blending defence with agression on a difficult track with uneven bounce.

5.Asif Iqbal's 146 n.o at the Oval in 1967
One of cricket's classics where Asif Iqbal saved his team from the ignominy of an innings defeat.Few test innings have combined technical correctness with agression and elegance in a crisis.It was like a batting exhibition.Learie Constantine called it the best innings he ever witnessed in a tset match.Something even Viv Or Barry Richards would have been proud of playing.Arguably the best batting ever with the tail enders.

6.Mohinder Amarnath's 80 and 91 at Barbados in 1983
Superb display of defense and agression against the most hostile pace attack ever.

7.Sunil Gavaskar's 127 n.o at Faisalbad in 1982-83
stuck out like a boulder against the ferocity of Imran .a truly great knock.

8.Asif Iqbal's 135 at Kingston in 1977
mastered a great pace attack with a brilliant exhibition of driving all over the wicket.

9.Ian Chappell's 156 at Perth in 1975-76 v West Indies

One of the best innings ever on fast wicket where Ian Chappel displayed his great skill and character.

10.Alan Border's 123 n.o at Old Trafford in 1981
Fought like a soldier till the last in a faultless batting exhibition.

11..Mohammad Azharrudin's 121 v England at Lords in 1990

A blistering exhibition of strokeplay scoring a century of 90 balls at less than a minute for every run.To me eclisped Gooch's triple ton in the same match.

12.Sachin Tendulkar's century in the 1st test at Edgbaston in 1996

Sheer mastery.

13.Sunil Gavaskar's 111 v Pakistan at Karachi in 1978-79
showed great mental tenacity and technical perfection when the chips were down.

14.Alan Border's 126 at Adelaide v West Indies in 1981-82
battled with great grit against a great attack.

15.Dilip Vengsarkar's 157 at Lords in 1982

Technically,a classic.

A classic exhibition of driving ,pulling and hooking in the most difficult circumstances.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Full of Indians.

 

[DrSchultz]

Most of Sachin's hundreds would make the list...

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Sachin's Cape Town century against rampaging Steyn in 2010 was a good one too.

 

[Adil_94]

Re: Best Test match innings in a losing cause.

Full of Indians.

Because your trundlers have let your great batsman down many times

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

 

[Sidilicious]

None can challenge the 136 at Chennai. That was against arguably the greatest bowling line up ever. So close to be the greatest match winning effort, yet so far. Against most other teams, our tail-enders would have scored those 17 runs.

The story of the 90s for India.

 

[insaaniyat]

Best Test match innings in a losing cause

Tendu Bhai should be on top of the list


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Harsh Thakor]

I would add Virat Kohli's 141 at Adelaide yesterday to this list when you consider the situation he faced, his domination of the bowling and hundreds in both innings.Above all he had the pressure of captaincy.

 

[Bhaijaan]

SRT 137 vs Kohli 141


Kohli actually created a chance while in Tendulkar's case the chance was already there and they just needed to bat on.


Although there is no comparison between the bowling the two players faced. Saqlain vs Lyon and Johnson/Harris vs Wasim/Waqar add to it the pressure of India vs Pakistan animosity

 

[Little Master]

SRT 137 vs Kohli 141


Kohli actually created a chance while in Tendulkar's case the chance was already there and they just needed to bat on.


Although there is no comparison between the bowling the two players faced. Saqlain vs Lyon and Johnson/Harris vs Wasim/Waqar add to it the pressure of India vs Pakistan animosity

Chance was created by Clark not Kohli.

 

[Saurav]

Sachin's Cape Town century against rampaging Steyn in 2010 was a good one too.

We drew that

 

[Saurav]

Dravid's tons in England 2011 were great too

 

[leatherface58]

Clarke's ton at Cape Town, 2011.

VVS 167 at Sydney, 1999

Gayle 70 ball ton at Perth, 2009

 

[Fahdi]

SRT 137 vs Kohli 141


Kohli actually created a chance while in Tendulkar's case the chance was already there and they just needed to bat on.


Although there is no comparison between the bowling the two players faced. Saqlain vs Lyon and Johnson/Harris vs Wasim/Waqar add to it the pressure of India vs Pakistan animosity

do take into account that Kohli was batting in Australia i.e in unfamiliar conditions and it was his captaincy debut. With the sort of form Johnson has been in off late especially in Australia the Aussie attack of Johnson/Harris was in no way inferior to the WWs.

 

[McGarrett]

I would add Virat Kohli's 141 at Adelaide yesterday to this list when you consider the situation he faced, his domination of the bowling and hundreds in both innings.Above all he had the pressure of captaincy.

You must be like 100 yrs old or something to watch all those innings in 50's, 60's, 70s 'n 80's. Well, I rememeber an innings (4th innings/chasing a target of 500+) played by a southpaw in Australia in 2007. This is what Ponting had to say about it: "The best innings played by a visiting batsman in Australia". I don't know if it fits the bill, by your standards. Anyway, here it is.

 

[IndianWillow]

SRT 137 vs Kohli 141


Kohli actually created a chance while in Tendulkar's case the chance was already there and they just needed to bat on.


Although there is no comparison between the bowling the two players faced. Saqlain vs Lyon and Johnson/Harris vs Wasim/Waqar add to it the pressure of India vs Pakistan animosity

How many times has India chased a total of 300 outside India? Any idea? Only once!
Kohli was going after an impossible target and his knock was much superior to Sachin's due to the context.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Best Test match innings ever in a losing cause?

In order of merit this is my list of the best innings played in a test match in a losing cause.Noticeable many constitute those of both Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara and also Sunil Gavaskar.Most important factor is how much the batsmen has single-handedly carried the shoulders of his team's batting and how close he has brought them to the doorsteps of a victory,particularly when the chips were down.


1.Sunil Gavaskar's 96 at Bangalore v Pakistan in 1987

display of a genius on the worst of wickets with ball turning square.Displayed the skill of a surgeon performing successfully on a patient considered incurable.I doubt even Bradman would have equalled this effort.


2.Kumar Sangakaara 's 192 v Australai at Hobart in 2007-08

Exhilirating strokeplay that almost won the game.


3.Derek Randall's 174 at Melbourne in Centenary test in 1977

Classical strokeplay that took England within touching distance of achieving the impossible


4.Asif Iqbals' 146 not out at the Oval in 1967

Cricketing prowess at it's highest zenith


5.Rohan Kanhai's 115 for rest of the world v Australia in 1972

One of cricket's best ever counter -attacks on a fast pitch and against genuine pace.



6.Sachin Tendulkar's 114 at Perth in 191-92

Epitome of batting perfection like a re-incarnated Bradman.



7.Brian Lara's 202 in South Africa in 2003-04 at Johannesburg

Lara displaying skill of a magician blended with the courage of a soldier.



8.Brian Lara's 221 and 130 v Sri Lanka in 2001-02 at Colombo

Resembled marshal in an army single handedly carrying the fort in a battle.



9.Mohinder Amarnath's 91 and 80 at Barbados in 1983

Arguably the best ever resistance dispalyed against great pace bowling in the post-war history of the game.Amarnath resembled a boulder and architect moulded into one.



10.Sachin Tendulkar's 136 v Pakistan at Madras in 1999

One of the great innings on a bad wicket that all but pulled of an epic victory.


11.Bevan Congdon's 176 at Nottingham in 1973

Created the equivalent of an epic turnabout in a Holywood classic by ressurecting the Kiwis from the grave to come within the brink of one of test cricket's all-time great comeback victories.With Congdon at the crease New Zealand came within touching distance of scoring what would have been the record winning 4th innings total in a test match till today.




12.Brian Lara's 219 v Australia in 2005-06 at Adelaide


13.Brian Lara's 176 v South Africa at Barbados in 2005


14.George Headley's 106 and 107 at Lords in 1939.

On a wet pitch overshadowed even Bradman .Singlehandedly carried his team's burden on his shoulders like no batsmen of his era could.


15.Sachin Tendulkar's 122at Edgbaston in 1996

One of the best innings ever when the chips were down.


16.Mohammad Yousuf 's 202 at Lords in 2006

Some strokes in the Greg Chappell class.


17.Sachin Tendulkar's 169 at Johhanesburg in 1996-97

Technically a classic.



18.Brian Lara's 196 v South Africa at Trinidad in 2005


19.Sunil Gavaskar's 127 n.o.at Faislabad in 1982-83

Displayed concentration of a Buddhist monk and tenacity of a boulder.


20.Ian Chappell's 156 v West Indies at Perth in 1975-76

Classic counter-attack in a crisis scoring almost half the side's runs.


21.Asif Iqbal's 135 at Kingston in 1977

One of the best innings ever against genuine pace in a4th innings.


22.Javed Miandad's 135 at Perth in 1978-79

Classic dispaly on the most fiery of tracks.


23.Alan Borders 123 n.o at Old Trafford in 1981

Inspite of an injured finger batted with the courage of a soldier.


24.Sunil Gavaskar's 111 and 137 at Karachi in 1978-79

Detemination at it's highest peak.


25.Dilip Vengsarka's 157 at Lords in 1982


Classical strokeplay ,executing some of the most forceful drives when the team was on the verge of facing an innings defeat.

 

[Mamoon]

Sad to see the number of times Lara has been mentioned. Selfish no doubt, but no player of the modern era has been let down more by his teammates.

 

[EliteCynical]

Off the top of my head, Astle's 222 is missing in this list.

OP - Did you even bother to look at some of these innings, if yes, then as a reader i would appreciate why you left out some of the innings which are highlighted (e.g. Clarke's 151 in SA, which i think was a phenomenal innings)

 

[Saurav]

Sachin's 136

 

[ahsan17]

Mohammad Yousuf's 202 at Lords was in a draw.

 

[Hasan123]

Sad to see the number of times Lara has been mentioned. Selfish no doubt, but no player of the modern era has been let down more by his teammates.

Lol imagine him in the team of the 70s and 80s west indies teams. Bowling to Lara and viv, good luck bowlers ).

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Mohammad Yousuf's 202 at Lords was in a draw.

sorry if error then i would add Geoff Boycott's invaluable 99 at Perth in 1979-80 facing the likes of Lillee

 

[Ab Fan]

Darren Bravo century in recent times vs Yasir and co in UAE..

 

[Vayuu]

I think astle 222 vs England ,Tendulkar 130 vs pak and virat's 140 adelaide deserve mention all three quality knocks and almost won it for their teams

 

[Justcrazy]

Gavaskar final innings of 96 was top knock

 

[Sin Nombre]

Gavaskar final innings of 96 was top knock

SG has a lot of such knocks.

His 113 at the Gabba in a fourth innings chase in a 16 run loss is right up there.


One knock not mentioned here is arguably the greatest Boxing day knock ever in Sehwag going berserk on day 1 at Melbourne.

 

[yasir_shah_fan]

I don't take this list seriously, where is Inzy's 100 in the second innings at Hobart? Was let horribly down by his bowlers. That was a masterclass of a hundred

 

[Sin Nombre]

Gooch's 133 / ball of the century also deserves a shot.

Ijaz Ahmed at the MCG.

In general, I rate innings in big losses a bit lower for this question, than ones which almost led to an improbable win.

 

[MMHS]

[MENTION=132062]Harsh Thakor[/MENTION]

This is very good list. But, I think, for such list, you should consider mostly 4th & may be few 3rd innings scores only. The reason being, Test matches are not won/lost on 1st innings - also it can end in a draw, therefore the pressure is never the same.

Innings under 4th innings chase is the ultimate pressure innings, but in some cases, we can consider 3rd innings as well, particularly if the batting side is recovering from 1st innings deficit.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

I would choose between Derek Randall's 174 at Melbourne in 1977,Asif Iqbal's 146.no at the Oval in 1967, Sunil Gavaskar's 96 v Pakistan at Bangalore in 1987,Sachin Tendulkar's 115 at Perth in 1992-93 and 136 at Chennai v Pakistan in 1999, and Mohinder Amarnath's 91 at Barbados in 1983.

In the end I would plump for Gavaskar's 96 on a broken wicket against Pakistan with the ball turning square.Reminded you of a surgeon successfully dealing with a patient considered incurable or a tree resisting the most hazardous of storms or gales.Technical skill at its greatest height making batting look like a meditation.

For aesthetic pleasure or superlative strokeplay few could surpass Asif Iqbal's unbeaten 146 at the Oval or Randall's 174 at Melbourne.Blended the entertaining skill of circus acrobats with the combative spirit of a soldier.To witness batting perfection or precision at its greatest zenith few could ever surpass Tendulkar's Herculean effort at Perth resembling an a technician and and artist blended into one.Tore the bowing with the ferocity of a tiger but combined with the grammar of an English professor.

For the best innings in a losing cause by a batsmen overseas I would declare a draw between Randall 's 174 and Asif Iqbal's 146.

Against pure pace I can't remember a better innings in a losing cause than Amarnath's 80 and 91 at Barbados in 1983.

 

[Junaids]

I’m going for Gavaskar’s 96 against Pakistan at Bangalore, just ahead of Jimmy Amarnath and his astonishing 80 and 91 at Barbados.

Those are the three greatest Test innings of my lifetime.

I’ve seen some great innings in the flesh: AB De Villiers’ innings at Durban and PE this year took the breath away.

But those three innings - all of them by Indians - take the cake. Skill, bravery and mental toughness - they had it all.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

I’m going for Gavaskar’s 96 against Pakistan at Bangalore, just ahead of Jimmy Amarnath and his astonishing 80 and 91 at Barbados.

Those are the three greatest Test innings of my lifetime.

I’ve seen some great innings in the flesh: AB De Villiers’ innings at Durban and PE this year took the breath away.

But those three innings - all of them by Indians - take the cake. Skill, bravery and mental toughness - they had it all.

Great choice we agree. Not asif Iqbal's 146 or Randall's 174?

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Asad Shafiq’s 100 at Gabba vs Australia. The Best!

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Asad Shafiq’s 100 at Gabba vs Australia. The Best!

Almost there.Misses out by a whisker from the very best?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

I’m going for Gavaskar’s 96 against Pakistan at Bangalore, just ahead of Jimmy Amarnath and his astonishing 80 and 91 at Barbados.

Those are the three greatest Test innings of my lifetime.

I’ve seen some great innings in the flesh: AB De Villiers’ innings at Durban and PE this year took the breath away.

But those three innings - all of them by Indians - take the cake. Skill, bravery and mental toughness - they had it all.

What about Tendulkar's century at Perth?

 

[AAli98]

Gavaskar was out at least 3 times lbw in that innings... home umpiring strikes again!!

 

[Major]

Asad Shafiq innings, then there was that west innings where Yasir Shah had to dive to his right to take that catch. THe batsmen was someone who looked like Kanye West

And then in the Last match of Misbah, WEst Indies batsmen played one hell of a knock.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Almost there.Misses out by a whisker from the very best?

For me it was best because of the situation we were in. Our top order didn’t last long enough to make the match interesting. He was practically fighting for a hopeless cause. From that situation to losing the match by 30 odd runs was probably the greatest moral victory for any batting side. But that’s just me.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

For me it was best because of the situation we were in. Our top order didn’t last long enough to make the match interesting. He was practically fighting for a hopeless cause. From that situation to losing the match by 30 odd runs was probably the greatest moral victory for any batting side. But that’s just me.

good post very close to correct but you possibly missed the innings I listed.Technically marvels.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

good post very close to correct but you possibly missed the innings I listed.Technically marvels.

We all have our emotional attachments.

 

[munda_khi]

Asif Iqbal 146 vs England at Oval. Includes a 10th wicket partnership world record of 190 with Intikhab Alam (51).

 

[ManFan]

I’m going for Gavaskar’s 96 against Pakistan at Bangalore, just ahead of Jimmy Amarnath and his astonishing 80 and 91 at Barbados.

Those are the three greatest Test innings of my lifetime.

I’ve seen some great innings in the flesh: AB De Villiers’ innings at Durban and PE this year took the breath away.

But those three innings - all of them by Indians - take the cake. Skill, bravery and mental toughness - they had it all.

Who is PE?

 

[Last Monetarist]

Of the ones I have seen, it has to be Tendulkar's 136 at Chennai, bad back and all.

 

[topspin]

Since the turn of the century, Nathan Astle's double hundred against England was the best I ever saw.

 

[InziRules]

Even as a Pakistani, it's Sachin's 136. Makes me laugh when people compare Kohli to him, India's team was so bang average then. Compared to that team, Kohli's playing with some of the greats of the game

Before Dravid and co emerged, if there was no Sachin, I would make even Zimbabwe favourites against them. Indeed when Sachin failed, India did lose to Zimbabwe a few times.

 

[Toaster]

PE refers to Port Elizabeth in South Africa!!

 

[ManFan]

PE refers to Port Elizabeth in South Africa!!

Thanks!

It’s a shame that AB retired when he was still on top like MJ.

But that’s the way it should always be... leaving the fans asking “Why” instead of “When”.