Test cricket is unarguably the most challenging format in cricket. Batting in India against Indian spinners is always a tough challenge for visiting batters, especially in the 21st century. However, there have been many knocks where players have applied some great technique to score runs. So in this article, we will discuss 'Top 10 Knocks Played By Visiting Players in India in the 21st Century in Test'.
1. Younis Khan
Younis Khan was one of the finest batters from Pakistan and one of the best top order batters from Pakistan, who could easily walk into any all-time test team of Pakistan. On the home turf of India in 2005, Younis played one of the best knocks of his career against India, smashing a double century. With a score reaching 7-2, he put together a 324-run partnership with Inzamam-ul-Haq. In his knock, where he spent nearly ten and a half hours, he scored 267 runs, hitting 32 boundaries and a gigantic six.
2. Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla was unarguably one of the most classical and underrated test batters from South Africa. In 2010 in series against India, Amla played one of the best knocks of his career against India, smashing a double century in Nagpur against Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Harbhajan Singh. With a score reaching 6-2 in the 1st innings, he put together a 340-run partnership with Jacques Kallis. In his knock, where he spent nearly ten and a half hours, he scored 253 runs, hitting 22 boundaries.
3. Joe Root
Joe Root is one of the most classical test batters from England who could easily walk into any lineup. In 2021 in a series against India, Root played one of the best knocks of his career against India, smashing a double century in Chennai against Ashwin, Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. With a score reaching 63-2 in the 1st innings, he put together a 200-run partnership with Dom Sibley. In his knock, where he spent nearly nine hours, he scored 218 runs, hitting 19 boundaries and two gigantic sixes.
4. Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden, nicknamed Haydos, was one of the most destructive test batters from Australia who could easily walk into any lineup. In 2001 in a series against India, Hayden played one of the best knocks of his career against India, smashing a double century in Chennai against Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh. With a score reaching 67-2 in the 1st innings, he put together a 150-run partnership with Mark Waugh. In his knock, where he spent nearly eight hours, he scored 203 runs, hitting 15 boundaries and six gigantic sixes. Notably, this came in a losing cause.
5. Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook was one of the most classical test batters from England who could easily walk into any lineup. In 2012 in a series against India, Cook played one of the best knocks of his career against India, smashing a century in Eden Garden against Zaheer Khan and Ashwin. With a score reaching 165-1 in the 2nd innings, he put together a 173-run partnership with Jonathan Trott. In his knock, where he spent nearly eight hours, he scored 190 runs, hitting 23 boundaries and two gigantic sixes.
6. Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen, nicknamed KP, was one of the most classical test batters from England who could easily walk into any lineup. In 2012 in a series against India, Pietersen played one of the best knocks of his career against India, smashing a century in Wankhede against Zaheer Khan and Ashwin. With a score reaching 68-2 in the 2nd innings, he put together a 206-run partnership with Alastair Cook. In his knock, where he spent nearly five hours, he scored 186 runs, hitting 20 boundaries and four gigantic sixes.
7. Steve Smith
Steve Smith, nicknamed Smudge, is one of the most classical test batters from Australia who could easily walk into any lineup. In 2017 in a series against India, Smith played one of the best knocks of his career against India, smashing a century in Pune against Jadeja and Ashwin. With a score reaching 61-3 in the 3rd innings, he put together a 52-run partnership with Matt Renshaw. In his knock, where he spent nearly four hours, he scored 109 runs, hitting 11 boundaries.
8. Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene was one of the most classical test batters from Sri Lanka who could easily walk into any lineup. In 2009 in a series against India, Jayawardene played one of the best knocks of his career against India, smashing a double century in Ahmedabad against Harbhajan and Zaheer. With a score reaching 375-5 in the 2nd innings, he put together a 351-run partnership with Prasanna Jayawardene. In his knock, where he spent nearly ten hours, he scored 275 runs, hitting 27 boundaries and a gigantic six.
9. Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist, nicknamed Gilly, was one of the most destructive test batters from Australia who could easily walk into any lineup. In 2001 in a series against India, Gilchrist played one of the best knocks of his career against India, smashing a century in Wankhede against Harbhajan and Agarkar. With a score reaching 99-5 in the 2nd innings, he put together a 197-run partnership with Matthew Hayden. In his knock, where he spent nearly three hours, he scored 122 runs, hitting 15 boundaries and four gigantic sixes.
10. Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson is one of the most classical test batters from New Zealand who could easily walk into any lineup. In 2010, in a series against India, Williamson played one of the best knocks of his career against India, smashing a century in Ahmedabad against Harbhajan and Zaheer. With a score reaching 137-4 in the 2nd innings, he put together a 194-run partnership with Jesse Ryder. In his knock, where he spent nearly six and a half hours, he scored 131 runs, hitting ten boundaries.
