NEW DELHI: Chasing targets above 300 in Test cricket has historically been a tough challenge for Team India on home soil.
In 26 instances where India faced fourth-innings targets over 300, they’ve managed just one successful chase: a memorable 387 against England in Chennai in 2008.
In that match, Sachin Tendulkar’s unbeaten 103, along with aggressive contributions from Virender Sehwag (83 off 68 balls) and Yuvraj Singh (85*), led India to a historic six-wicket victory. India’s captain, MS Dhoni, saw his side to a remarkable win, with Sehwag earning the Man of the Match award for his blazing knock.
Despite their home dominance, India have often struggled with high fourth-innings chases. The team has lost 14 of these 26 chases and managed to draw nine times, with one match ending in a tie.
No team has chased more than 345 runs against New Zealand in Tests, a record set by the West Indies in Auckland in 1969.
Already down 0-1 in the ongoing three-match Test series against New Zealand, India found themselves in a challenging position in the second Test in Pune.
After dismissing New Zealand for 259, India struggled with the bat, bowled out for 156 to concede a 103-run lead.
New Zealand’s second-innings total of 255 left India chasing 359 for victory in Pune.
New Zealand won the first Test in Bengaluru by eight wickets to take 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
