Now for the record

[Jimmy Cliff]

Just now, Vijy said:

I suppose that this means the great Rat has 1 or 0 such scores.

 

1. Against NZ in 2012 at Bengaluru. Also got a 100 in the 1st innings.

[Vijy]

Just now, Jimmy Cliff said:

 

1. Against NZ in 2012 at Bengaluru. Also got a 100 in the 1st innings.

nearly a decade ago. I find it hilarious

[R!TTER]

So India still the best team in defending totals above 200 (or 300) this side of 2k 

[jalebi_bhai]

I think the psychology of 4th innings chases is truly interesting, especially since the noughties. 

 

For instance, I'm of the firm belief that had we set England a target of 400 in 100-110 overs, then they would've successfully played out a draw. As a batting unit, there would've been clarity of thought and they would've just looked to block through the day.

 

368 in 120 gave them enough incentive to go for the total and once they were 3 down, they got mentally stuck between going for runs or the draw. The conditions and the opening stand lulled them a bit but once Hameed got out the way he did, England were flummoxed. They couldn't even trust their defence anymore. 

 

Compare this to the Sydney test where Vihari and Ashwin knew exactly what they had to. Block, block, block and block. The pair batted out nearly 50 overs between themselves and mentally set us up for a great hustle at GABBA.

 

There is a life lesson in all this.