What Is The Highest Successful Run Chase In Tests At MCG?
Kohli and Rohit having a conversation (Source: AP Photos)
Nitish Reddy, along with Indian fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, swung the pendulum back in India’s favor by stumps on Day 4 of the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). While Reddy scored a fighting century to reduce India’s first-innings deficit, Bumrah and Siraj rocked Australia’s batting lineup to leave the visitors a chaseable total.
However, Team India is still tasked with chasing a target that has never been breached in the venue’s near 150-year-old Test history. Here, we take a look back at some of the highest successful run-chases achieved at the MCG as the Indian team aims to regain its lead in the series.
Highest Successful Run-Chases at MCG
Back in late December 2020, Team India chased down 70 runs to defeat Australia by eight wickets at the MCG, leveling the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series. The effort remains India’s highest successful run-chase at the iconic venue.
However, India’s December 2020 success does not feature among the top five highest successful chases at the MCG since the venue hosted its first-ever Test match back in 1877. The best fourth-innings effort in a winning cause remains Australia’s 231-2 to secure an Ashes Test in late 2013. For a visiting team, South Africa overhauled 183 runs at the venue during their series win in 2008-09.
Here is a look at the top five highest successful run-chases ever recorded at the MCG:
Team and Target | Opponent | Year |
---|---|---|
Australia 231-2 | England | 2013 |
South Africa 183-1 | Australia | 2008 |
Australia 127-1 | Pakistan | 2004 |
Australia 107-5 | England | 2003 |
Australia 97-1 | India | 2003 |
In the ongoing fourth Test match of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series hosted by the MCG, Team India is left to chase a target of above 300. In a bid to take a lead in the series, the struggling Indian batters will have to punch above their weights to rewrite history books.