India Cricket Team is known for producing world-class batsmen throughout its cricketing history. Over the years, the Men in Blue have produced numerous batting stalwarts. From Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar, from MS Dhoni to Virat Kohli, India have never had a shortage of terrific batsmen in their cricketing landscape. They have not only scored runs at home but also scored heavily in overseas conditions. Indian batsmen, over the years, have a pretty good record in Australia. However, there have been instances when the batting line-up succumbed to some great bowling display. Amidst those tough situations, the lower order batsmen have contributed significantly on several occasions.
They have bailed the team out of trouble after a top-order collapse and have also played match-winning knocks while chasing.
In this article, we look at 4 highest scores by number seven batsmen for India in Australia:
- Kapil Dev: 75-run knock against New Zealand in Australia
Kapil Dev will always be remembered for being one of the greatest captains India have ever had in their cricketing history. He led India to its first-ever World Cup title in 1983 and helped the nation found a new profound love for the game.
Kapil Dev was not only an outstanding leader but also great cricketer. He is hailed as arguably the best all-rounder India has ever produced.
Besides delivering countless heart-warming fast-bowling spells in international cricket, Kapil Dev also played a lot of stellar knocks down the order for India. One such knock came against New Zealand in Australia in 1980. In the seventh game of the tri-series between India, New Zealand and Australia, India were reeling at 84 for 4 in the first innings. Kapil Dev then led the recovery and exhibited a counter-attacking style of play.
He scored 75 runs off just 51 balls, a knock which was peppered with 9 fours and 3 sixes. His knock helped India cross the 200-run mark. Kapil Dev’s 75-run knock remains as the highest score by a number seven batsman for India in Australia.
2. Ravindra Jadeja: 66 run-knock against Australia in 2020
In the third ODI of the recently concluded 3-match ODI series between India and Australia, Ravindra Jadeja played an unbeaten 66-run knock off just 50 balls. With India in all sorts of trouble at 152-5, Ravindra Jadeja walked into bat and turned the game on its head. The southpaw stitched a match-turning partnership with Hardik Pandya and took the total past 300-run mark.
The duo exhibited a stellar batting display and took the momentum away from the Aussies. Australia couldn’t chase the total down in the second innings and handed India their first win of the series. Jadeja’s 66-run knock is the second-highest score by a number seven batsman for India in Australia.
3. Hemang Badani: 60-run knock against Australia in 2004
The first final of the VB series between India and Australia in 2004 saw Hemang Badani play one of the best knocks of his ODI career. Batting first, India were left in all sorts of trouble at 75 for 6. Hemang Badani came in as a number seven batsman and took on the responsibility to rebuild the innings.
With grit and determination, Badani played 80 balls and scored a valuable 60 runs for the team. His knock helped India reach the 222-run total in the first innings. His knock remains as the third highest by an Indian player in Australia.
4. Robin Uthappa: 51-run knock against Australia in 2008
2008 Commonwealth Bank series will always be remembered as India’s one of the most historic series wins in their ODI cricketing history.
In the same series, Robin Uthappa played a stellar knock as a number seven batsman against Australia. The 10th match of the series saw Australia put up a mammoth 317-run total in the first innings. Barring Gautam Gambhir, the top-order failed miserably as India were left in all sorts of trouble at 149 for 5.
Robin Uthappa came into the crease as a number seven batsman and built a strong sixth wicket-partnership with Gambhir. Uthappa played 51 runs off 46 balls and kept India in the game for the most part of the second innings. The Men in Blue though fell short of 18 runs in the end. Uthappa’s 51-run knock remains as the fourth highest by an Indian batsman in Australia.
