Last Updated on 10 months ago by Charbel Coorey

One player features three times in the top five highest individual scores for India in Tests. India have been blessed with magnificent batsmen over the years, with many performances flattening opponents and creating memories that last a lifetime.

In this article, we will look at the top five highest scores by an Indian player in a Test innings.

Top 5 highest individual scores for India in Test cricket

5. VVS Laxman 281 vs Australia, Eden Gardens, 2001

One of the great knocks in Test history. An innings that was a turning point in Indian cricket; one that taught millions that anything was possible.

Australia, aiming for a 17th consecutive Test victory, were well on top in the second Test of the 2001 series in India. After scoring 445, Australia rolled India for 171.

With India 232/4 following on in their second innings, Steve Waugh’s team still had the upper hand.

However, not even the most optimistic of India fan could predict what would happen next. Laxman combined with Rahul Dravid (180) for a 376-run stand, which was the catalyst for one of the all-time wins as Australia were then bowled out for 212 chasing 384.

4. Virender Sehwag 293 vs Sri Lanka, Brabourne, 2009

Virender Sehwag was a sight to behold in full flow. After Sri Lanka made a respectable 393 batting first, Sehwag blew the visitors away with 293 off 254 balls against an attack featuring Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath.

India amassed 726/9d in response, before Zaheer Khan (5/72) led the way as India sealed a massive win by an innings despite Sri Lanka crossing 300 twice.

3. Karun Nair 303* vs England, Chennai, 2016

In one of the more famous and unexpected performances, Karun Nair became the second Indian to hit a triple hundred when he took down England in 2016.

Alastair Cook’s team were in a decent position having struck 477 in their first innings, but that’s where their joy ended. India piled on partnership after partnership, with Nair (303*) an KL Rahul (199) making the bulk of the huge 759/7d.

England, despite their big first innings score, went on to lose by an innings.

2. Virender Sehwag 309 vs Pakistan, Multan, 2004

Virender Sehwag played another one of his trademark knocks as he took down Pakistan in Multan in 2004. He smashed 39 fours and six sixes in his 375-ball stay, never letting the Pakistani attack settle.

The swushbuckling opener combined with Sachin Tendulkar for a 336 run-stand to flatten the hosts. Controversially, Rahul Dravid declared on 675/5 with Tendulkar six short of a double century.

Pakistan made a solid 407 in response, but were still made to follow on. Despite Mohammad Yousuf’s 112 second time around, India won easily by an innings and 52 runs.

1. Virender Sehwag 319 vs South Africa, Chennai, 2008

Virender Sehwag again. Even though South Africa possessed excellent fast bowlers, they were at the mercy of Sehwag and a very flat Chennai pitch in 2008.

After India conceded 540 in the first innings, Sehwag took it upon himself to take the attack to the Proteas. The opener hammered 319 off 304 balls, including 42 fours and five sixes. Rahul Dravid, struggling for form at the time, would have been feeling as though he was batting on a different planet for his 291-ball 111.

That Test ended up in a dull draw after India made 627. South Africa batted for 109 overs and scoring 331/5 in their second innings.