As the India-Australia Test series is currently in progress, it will be interesting to observe who ends up being the highest run-getters in the series for India. There are some real talents in the Indian side and we shall, hopefully, see their full scale in this series.
While we await those results, it is a good time to look back at India's five highest run-getters in a Test series.
5. Dilip Sardesai - 642 runs (India in West Indies Test Series, 1970/71):
India's 1970/71 tour of the West Indies was being seen as the last opportunity for Dilip Sardesai to resurrect his career. He was picked as the last option and it was believed that if he failed on the tour, his career would be over. But Sardesai turned things around and how. In the 5-Test series, Sardesai, with his solid wrists and excellent technique scored a massive 642 runs at an average of 80.25 with three hundreds and one fifty. His highest was a classy 212 in the first Test at Kingston.
4. Virat Kohli - 655 runs (England in India Test Series, 2016/17):
Prior to this series, Kohli had a rather mediocre record against England in Tests. But when England came touring for this 5-Test series, captain Kohli made it a platform to surge ahead as a Test player. He ended the series with an outstanding 655 runs at an incredible average of 109.16 with two hundreds and two fifties. His best was the majestic match-winning 235 in the Mumbai Test - also his highest ever Test score.
3. Virat Kohli - 692 runs Border-Gavaskar Trophy (India in Australia), 2014/15):
The only Indian on this list, Virat Kohli showed the world why he is a cut above the rest when he overcame his failures in England a few months prior to this series and left a stunning impression on Australian soil. In the 4 matches, Kohli collected 692 runs at a terrific average of 86.50 with 4 centuries and one fifty. His best was a glorious 169 in the 3rd Test in Melbourne. For a visiting batsman to dominate so convincingly was simply remarkable.
2. Sunil Gavaskar - 732 runs (West Indies in India Test Series, 1978/79):
Sunil Gavaskar always loved playing against the West Indies. And it was no different when the West Indians came for a 6-Test tour to India in 1978/79. The solid Indian opener garnered a mammoth 732 runs in the series with four hundreds and one fifty at an average of 91.50. His best was a splendid 205 in the first Test in Mumbai. Playing in his home conditions, Gavaskar was completely at ease and literally no opposition bowler could find a way to dislodge him. An unforgettable performance, indeed.
1. Sunil Gavaskar - 774 runs (India in West Indies Test Series, 1970/71):
Gavaskar's actual love affair with the West Indies began in this historic tour. Playing in his debut series against a side which was known to roll over batsmen in their den, Gavaskar was simply phenomenal. Never in the series did the opener look like new to international cricket. With his robust defense, straight drives, hooks, pulls and cuts, Gavaskar scored a colossal 774 run in just 4 matches with four hundreds and three fifties at an astronomical average of 154.80. His best was a spectacular 220 at Port of Spain. Clearly, this was a performance of a lifetime and one that defined Gavaskar's career throughout his life.
