India vs West Indies: Gavaskar to Sehwag to Kohli, top-five Test knocks by Indian batters in Caribbean

India toured West Indies for the first time in 1952/53 and with that, a long chapter in the rivalries of the two countries began. Ahead of the highly anticipated Test series, let’s look at some of the most memorable innings by Indian batsmen in the Caribbean.

Virat Kohli, 200 runs at North Sound, 2016

Virat Kohli led from the front scoring 200 when the two teams met at North Sound in 2016. This was the first Test double century of his career and the first by an Indian captain. Kohli’s masterclass helped India amass 566 in the first innings. He needed just 283 deliveries and hit 24 boundaries. In the end, India won the game by an innings and 92 runs due to Kohli’s wizardry.

Virender Sehwag, 180 runs at Gros Islet, 2006

Virender Sehwag smashed 180 runs off just 190 deliveries to help India to a mammoth total of 588/8 declared in the first innings. An innings laced with 20 boundaries and two sixes put the hosts under pressure. They were forced to follow on after scoring 215 in their first innings but somehow managed to hold on for a draw, finishing on 294/7 in their second essay.

Navjot Sidhu, 201 runs at Port of Spain, 1996-97

Replying to the home team’s 296 in the first Innings, India were in early trouble losing opener VVS Laxman for a duck. His partner Navjot Sidhu then joined hands with the ever-reliable Rahul Dravid (57) to steady the ship and then went on to hit a very patient 201 before he was bowled by Curtly Ambrose. India managed to score 436 thanks largely to Sidhu’s effort but the game ended in a draw.

Dilip Sardesai, 212 runs at Kingston, 1970-71

Playing 470 deliveries, Dilip Sardesai scored a brilliant 212 to save India from a top-order collapse in the first innings of the 1st Test as India managed to put up 387. India restricted the hosts to 217 in reply and enforced the follow-on. However, the home side put up a far better show in the second innings and managed to hold on for a draw reaching 385/5 at the end of the match.

Sunil Gavaskar, 220 runs at Port of Spain, 1970-71

One of the greatest innings on West Indies’ soil by an Indian batsman came in the same series as Sardesai’s 212. It was the young opener Sunil Gavaskar who struck 220 in the second innings, having already notched up 124 in the first essay in Port of Spain. Gavaskar’s knock was a shining example of the way his career was to unfold over the next decade-and-a-half. He hit 22 boundaries during his stay.