WATCH- 5 best batting performances by Indians at Kennington Oval

These are the five best batting performances by Indian batsmen at the Oval in London.

SUNIL GAVASKAR 221, 1979Sunil Gavaskar's 221 gave India a chance to chase down 438 runs at the Oval | Patrick Eagar-Popperfoto-Getty ImagesSunil Gavaskar is the only batsman in Test history to score double hundreds in all the four innings of Test matches. His one and only double hundred in the fourth innings of a Test match came in a heart-stopping chase against England in 1979 as India tried to chase 438 runs to win the Test.

When India was set that huge target, the team decided to go after the target in what was a shocking decision at that time. Openers Gavaskar and Chetan Chauhan ended day four at 76/0 and India required 362 runs on the final day at the rate of one-run/minute.

No one gave India a chance to come even close to the target, let alone win it. By the afternoon drinks session, India were 213 for 0, almost halfway to their target, with Gavaskar playing the more attacking role while Chauhan provided more restrained support. By tea, the score became 304/1 and an Indian win soon became a reality.

India needed 110 runs in the last mandatory 20 overs with nine wickets in the hand. Gavaskar was still there and was scoring freely, as the England bowlers began to tire. Unfortunately, captain Venkataraghavan promoted Kapil to no.4 and he failed, scoring a duck which affected the team’s momentum. Vishwanath came in at no.5 and it was too little too late for the Indian team.

Botham came on with India needing 49 needed from last eight overs and struck in his first over, ending Gavaskar’s vigil of 221 from eight hours and ten minutes and which had come off 443 deliveries. India decided to shut shop and ended at 429/8, 9 runs short of a famous win.

If it has not been for Sunil Gavaskar and his attacking double century, India would have never got anywhere close to the total, let alone almost chasing it down.

Watch the Sunil Gavaskar masterpiece at Oval in 1979 here:

 
 

By Jatin Sharma - 06 Sep, 2018

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