Recently, David Warner scored a double hundred on his 100th Test. As soon as he reached 200, in his trademark celebration, Warner could not avoid the cramps and did not come to bat again. Incidentally, there have been many other occasions when a player was either exactly out on 200 or has remained unbeaten exactly on 200. In fact, four Indians have done it so far. On that note, here, we take a look at four Indians who have scored exactly 200 runs in an innings in Test cricket history.
1) Virat Kohli
Balls: 283 || Opposition: West Indies || Venue: Antigua || Year: 2016
Virat Kohli is one of the Indians who have scored exactly 200 runs in an innings in Test cricket history. Having scored seven double centuries, Virat Kohli happens to be the Indian with the most 200s. Although he was slow at the beginning of his Test career, once he found his groove, it was hard to stop him. At his peak, he scored seven double hundreds and one of them included a score of exactly 200.
India was batting first and the team needed just one innings to win the game. After reaching 200 using 24 fours, Virat was bowled by Shannon Gabriel. R Ashwin also scored a century in this encounter. It has been a while since Virat Kohli last hit a century in Tests, let alone a double hundred. The fans are hoping to see Virat Kohli rise again in Tests.
2) Rahul Dravid
Balls: 350 || Opposition: Zimbabwe || Venue: Delhi || Year: 2000
Before Virat, it was Rahul Dravid who scored double centuries for India consistently. In total, India’s legendary No.3 hit five double hundreds. A few of them also came in difficult conditions.
It was the first Test of the Zimbabwe Tour of India in 2000. The visitors made 422 runs in the first innings. Team India needed a strong response and they got that through Rahul Dravid. The former India skipper hit 27 boundaries on his way to a double hundred. Dravid also hit 70 runs in the second innings. India later won the game by 7 wickets.
3) VVS Laxman
Balls: 301 || Opposition: Australia || Venue: Delhi || Year: 2008
VVS Laxman is also one of the Indians who have scored exactly 200 runs in an innings in Test cricket history. It is well known that VVS’s best version turned up against Australia. This was another game when that happened.
Batting first, India made 613 runs at Delhi. While homegrown Gautam Gambhir hit a double century, batting at No.5, even VVS Laxman hit a double hundred. India declared soon after VVS Laxman got to the milestone. That game against Australia ended in a draw. In all, VVS Laxman ended with two double centuries.
4) D Sardesai
Balls: NA || Opposition: New Zealand || Venue: Bombay || Year: 1965
Dilip Sardesai was one of the first Indians to score a double hundred. New Zealand had scored 247 runs in the first innings and India had to respond. However, they got all out for just 88.
In the second innings, though, the Indians stepped up. Using 25 boundaries, Sardesai scored 200 and India declared at that moment. He stayed at the crease for 548 minutes to achieve this feat.
