Virat Kohli has scored most double-centuries for India in Tests [X.com]
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In the realm of cricket, the Test format is considered the pinnacle of the sport, where a cricketer's real trials and tribulations take place.
With the introduction of 20-overs cricket, the world is shifting to a more non-formative style of batting, where more than technique, the impetus is put on scoring quickly, while for purists, batsmanship to date is all about handling situations and conditions, where mental fortitude of a cricketer is checked, making Test cricket a sort of a litmus examination.
Over the years, scoring run in red-ball format has been set as a benchmark in the sport, where the more hundreds, double-tons, and triple-centuries a batter scores, the additional reputation gets added.
The history of Test cricket dates back to 1877, where scoring a double-century has always been regarded as a noteworthy achievement. There is an elite list of players who have achieved this feat, and it is led by Australia's great Sir Donald Bradman, who registered 12 double-hundreds during his career, a tally that may never be broken in the modern-day standards.
In the context of India, the benchmark is quite distant, and in this article, we at OneCricket look at the top 5 Indian batters with the most double-tons.
Most Double-Ton For India In Tests
Player
Matches
Runs
100s
200s
Virat Kohli
113*
8,848
29
7
Virender Sehwag
103
8,503
23
6
Sachin Tendulkar
200
15,921
51
6
Rahul Dravid
163
13,265
36
5
Sunil Gavaskar
125
10,122
34
4
[* - active]
Virat Kohli - 7
Virat Kohli has two double-hundred against NZ [X.com]
Former India captain Virat Kohli has always respected and kept Test cricket above other formats, which shows in his performances that have over the years surpassed several other legends. In his 113 Test career, Kohli has slammed seven double-tons for India, the most for an Indian batter, that has contributed to 1,560 runs out of his 8,848. The batter's maiden Test 200 came against West Indies back in 2016, with his last (254*) coming against South Africa in 2019.
Double-Hundred
Opponent
200
West Indies, 2016
211
New Zealand, 2016
235
New Zealand, 2016
204
Bangladesh, 2017
213
Sri Lanka, 2017
243
Sri Lanka, 2017
254*
South Africa, 2019
Virender Sehwag - 6
Virender Sehwag has two triple-centuries as well [X.com]
India's Virender Sehwag found his method to the madness in the Test after being promoted to the opening slot, where his hand-eye coordination made up for the lack of technique. The ultra-aggressive opener displayed total disregard for both pacers and spinners, which led him to score six double-centuries for India, which got converted into two triple-hundred as well. Out of 8,586 runs, Sehwag scored 1,577 runs in double-tons, with the first of his six coming against Pakistan in 2004, and the last against Sri Lanka in 2009.
Double-Hundred
Opponent
309
Pakistan, 2004
201
Pakistan, 2005
254
Pakistan, 2006
319
South Africa, 2008
201*
Sri Lanka, 2008
293
Sri Lanka, 2009
Sachin Tendulkar - 6
Sachin Tendulkar celebrates his double-ton at Sydney [X.com]
No Indian list is complete without the mention of the great Sachin Tendulkar, who makes his appearance in the third spot with six double-tons in Test cricket. Tendulkar, who undoubtedly harboured textbook cricket technique and could overcome any hurdle thrown in front of him, recorded his maiden 200 in 1999 against New Zealand, with his last coming off versus Australia in 2010, which in totality added to 1,324 runs out of his world-record 15,921 runs tally.
Double-Hundred
Opponent
217
New Zealand, 1999
201*
Zimbabwe, 2000
241*
Australia, 2004
248*
Bangladesh, 2004
203
Sri Lanka, 2010
214
Australia, 2010
Rahul Dravid - 5
Rahul Dravid's maiden overseas 200 came in England [X.com]
Known as 'The Wall', former India captain Rahul Dravid exhibited a water-tight technique, which enabled the player to grind for hours and hours. Unlike other gifted players, Dravid had to put in the hard yards behind the scenes to keep himself relevant, which enabled him to score five double tons, where four came during top-order batter's peak between 2002-2004. The current India head coach's first double-ton came in 2000, and his last in 2004, against Zimbabwe and Pakistan, respectively.
Double-Hundred
Opponent
200*
Zimbabwe, 2000
217
England, 2002
222
New Zealand, 2002
233
Australia, 2003
270
Pakistan, 2004
Sunil Gavaskar - 4
The original 'Little Master', India's Sunil Gavaskar set benchmarks in Tests during his heydays. Gavaskar showcased skills, that made him score runs across conditions on pitches that were considered bowler-friendly. Out of Gavaskar's 10,122, 882 came with four double-tons, out of which three were against the fierce West Indies' attack.