Highest run chase by India in Tests: Have India ever successfully chased over 400 in Test cricket?

India have managed to chase a 400+ target in Test cricket only once in their history of playing.

Highest run chase by India in Tests: Have India ever successfully chased over 400 in Test cricket?

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill marching out to bat in WTC Final (Image via Twitter)

The second edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final is nearing its end with Day 4’s play underway on Saturday. Australia have put on a massive target of 444 runs for India to chase in the fourth innings here at The Oval. Will this be India’s highest run chase in Tests?

After scoring a mammoth 469 in their first innings, Australia bowled out India for 296 and took a lead of 173 runs. The Pat Cummins-led team continued their good batting in the second innings as well. 

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Although India sent back the openers- David Warner and Usman Khawaja- early, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne formed a small partnership. After Smith was dismissed and Travis Head handed a catch to Ravindra Jadeja on the latter’s own bowling, Alex Carey and Cameron Green stitched a partnership. After Green departed, Mitchell Starc and Carey frustrated India.

Eventually, Pat Cummins declared Australia’s innings at 270/8 after the Australia captain was dismissed himself. With a 173-run lead in the first innings and 270 more runs in the second innings, Australia set a massive target for India to achieve in the fourth innings. The Rohit Sharma-led team need 444 runs to win the WTC Final. But will they be able to? Let’s find out.

Also Read: What happens if WTC Final ends in a draw?

How many time have India chased a 400+ target in Test cricket?

india's gabba win
Rishabh Pant and other Team India players India’s famous Gabba win (Image via ICC)

India have managed to chase a 400+ target in Test cricket only once in their history of playing. This highest run chase by India in Tests came way back in 1976 when India successfully chased 406 against the West Indies. Sunil Gavaskar (102) and Gundappa Vishwanath (112*) were the stars for India in that Test. 

At number two in India’s highest successful chases in Test is their 387-run chase against England in 2008. Sachin Tendulkar starred for the hosts back then. The third-highest successful chase was pulled off by Ajinkya Rahane-led India in 2020 in what is reckoned as the Gabba heist. Cheteshwar Pujara, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant were the batting heroes for India in that Test where India chased down 329.

Now, Australia have put forth a target of 444 runs for India to win the WTC Final. If the Rohit Sharma-led team manages to pull this off, it will go down as the highest successful run chase by India in their cricket history.