The largest total achieved by a team in the fourth innings to win a Test match was 418, when the West Indies reached that victory target for the loss of seven wickets against Australia in Antigua in 2003.

Five highest fourth innings run chases in Test cricket:

5) West Indies vs Bangladesh, Chattogram, 2021 - 395/7
4) Australia vs England, Leeds, 1948 - 404/3
3) India vs West Indies, Port of Spain, 1976 - 406/4
2) South Africa vs Australia, Perth, 2008 - 414/4
1) West Indies vs Australia, St John’s, 2003 - 418/7

The most recent big score achieved was in 2021 when Kyle Mayers batted superbly to score an unbeaten 210, with the then 28-year-old combining with Nkrumah Bonner (86) for a partnership of 216 for the fourth wicket and then batting smartly with the tail to help the Caribbean side pull off an unlikely win in Bangladesh.

A look at the highest fourth innings totals achieved in Test cricket provides India with a glimmer of hope, with England recording a massive score of 654/5 in their fourth innings to draw their Test against South Africa in Durban way back in 1939.

If India can survive until stumps on the fifth day then the World Test Championship mace will be shared with Australia.

The second highest fourth innings score in Tests was New Zealand's total of 451 against England in Christchurch in 2002, but that was in a losing side as the Black Caps were undone by a six-wicket haul from seamer Andy Caddick.

India will need to almost match the Kiwis, with Rohit Sharma's side chasing 444 for victory during their fourth innings at The Oval.

Sign up at Crictos.com

Own, Play and Earn with Iconic moments from ICC Cricket History.

SIGN UP

SIGN UP