Indian batsmen are usually considered as good players of spin. They grow up playing on wickets that offer turn and develop a habit of playing slow bowling. However, the real challenge awaits when they tour abroad. In conditions that are alien to most batsmen, they tend to face tough times in coping with the seam off the surface and swing in the air. In countries like Australia, where surfaces offer greater bounce, it is a different challenge as the opposition pacers come all guns blazing to test one’s technique.
Despite such unfamiliar territories, a few Indian batsmen still have a better batting average in away conditions. This signifies their solid technique and the ability to play fast bowling.
Here’s a look at 5 Indian batsmen who have better away batting average in Test cricket:
1. Sunil Gavaskar
Home: 50.16
Away: 52.11
Sunil Gavaskar was one of the first Indian batters who began to play fast bowling well. The ‘Little Master’ had a phenomenal record against the West Indian pace quartet during the 1970s and 80s. In 60 away Tests that Gavaskar played during his Test career, he scored 5055 runs at an average of 52.11. It included 18 scores of hundreds and above with a personal best of 221 against England in the 4th innings of a Test match. It was never say die attitude even on the foreign land that he dictated his great runs on away soil.
2. Sachin Tendulkar
Home: 52.67
Away: 54.74
Sachin Tendulkar’s consistency was his hallmark all through his Test career. Batting at No.4 in Tests, Tendulkar always stood as India’s man for all seasons. His batting was not perturbed by conditions, rather it made his confidence even more resolute when things didn’t work in his favour. In his career, Sachin batted in 106 away Tests for India, scoring 8705 runs at an average of 54.74 including 29 centuries and a remarkable 36 fifties to his name. His unbeaten 241 against Australia still happens to be one of the most inspiring knocks ever played by an Indian.
3. Rahul Dravid
Home: 51.36
Away: 53.61
Fittingly known as ‘The Wall’, Rahul Dravid lived to the reputation all through his Test career. The Karnataka-lad held India’s No.3 position for a long period and conquered most bowling attacks with his immovable defence. In a Test career that spanned for nearly 16 years, Dravid represented India in 93 away Tests. His ability to face pace bowling was second to none. He scored 7667 runs at an average of 53.61 including 26 centuries and a record – 36 fifties in away Tests. His knock of 270 against Pakistan at Rawalpindi set the platform for one of India’s most epic Test wins against the arch-rivals.
4. Mohinder Amarnath
Home: 30.44
Away: 51.86
Mohinder Amarnath was one of India’s better all-rounder during the 1980s. While he had mediocre Test record at home, the Punjab-lad got into his own while playing overseas. In 37 away Tests for India, Amarnath scored 3008 runs at an average of 51.86 including nine centuries and 17 fifties. It was quite peculiar for someone to have such a vast difference between batting average on home and away soil.
5. Ajinkya Rahane
Home: 39.28
Away: 45.16
Ajinkya Rahane has emerged as the backbone of India’s Test batting in recent years. While Rahane’s home struggles are unfathomable as per his standards, his overseas records regard him as one of the better players of pace bowling. In 38 away Tests, Ajinkya has scored 2710 runs at an average of 45.16 including seven scores of hundred or more. Rahane is one of the few Indians who have scored century both in England and Australia.
