England need a record run-chase if they are to secure a 2-0 Test series lead against India – but are there precedents from history to boost their morale? Here is everything you need to know about the highest run-chases and biggest fourth-innings totals in India.
England have been set 399 to win at Visakhapatnam, a record chase by a touring team in the country. In fact, that’s almost 100 runs more than the current best successful run-chase, West Indies gunning down 276 with five wickets in hand back in 1987. That was a remarkable game, dominated by seam, Patrick Patterson’s 5–24 skittling India for 75 before Chetan Sharma’s 5-55 shot out the West Indies for 127. Each side fared better in the second innings with the bat, Dilip Vengsarkar making a century for India before Viv Richards’ ton at nearly a run a ball sealed victory.
However, there are other performances for England to take encouragement from, not least the highest-ever run-chase in India, which came courtesy of a Sachin Tendulkar century in 2008. In the wake of the Mumbai terror attacks, some big hitting from Virender Sehwag laid the platform for a famous win in Chennai. India chased 387 that day and lost just four wickets, with England declaring in the third innings but still losing.
There have been four other fourth-innings totals above 300 in India. India finished 25 runs short of Pakistan and five runs short of West Indies in 1979 and 1949, making 364-6 and 355-8 respectively. They also made 347 in the second tied Test, at Chennai in 1986 against Australia.
Other notable markers are England’s highest ever chase, made against India in 2022, early in the Bazball era. Centuries from Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root powered the hosts to 378-3 in 76.4 overs. That is also the highest chase by anyone against India. The record for the highest ever chase is West Indies’ 418-7 against Australia in 2003.
Five highest Test run-chases in India
India – 387-4 v England, Chennai, 2008 (Sachin Tendulkar 103*)
West Indies – 276-5 v India, Delhi, 1987 (Viv Richards 109*)
India – 276-5 v West Indies, Delhi, 2011 (Sachin Tendulkar 76)
India – 262-5 v New Zealand, Bengaluru, 2012 (Virat Kohli 51*)
India – 256-8 v Australia, Mumbai, 1964 (Dilip Sardesai 56)
Five highest Test fourth-innings totals in India
India – 387-4 v England, Chennai, 2008, match won (Sachin Tendulkar 103*)
India – 364-6 v Pakistan, Delhi, 1979, match drawn (Dilip Vengsarkar 146*)
India – 355-8 v West Indies, Mumbai, 1949, match drawn (Vijay Hazare 122)
India – 347 v Australia, Chennai, 1986, match tied (Sunil Gavaskar 90)
India – 325-3 v West Indies, Kolkata, 1948-49, match drawn (Mushtaq Ali 106)
