Top 5 Knocks by England's Alastair Cook against India in Tests

Former England skipper, Alastair Cook had called it quits from international cricket on Monday. After a horrendous run of form in the recent past, Cook had decided to retire from Test cricket after the 5^th and the final Test against India scheduled at the Oval on 7^th September.

There is no doubt about the fact Cook is one of the all-time greats. However, in the last year or so, Cook had produced only two substantial knocks which include double centuries against Australia and the Windies. There was nothing on either side of this two knocks.

Cook had always played quite well against India. Right from his debut Test to the one in 2016 in India, the southpaw has been a prolific run scorer against India. He played an instrumental role in helping England win a Test series in India in 2012. It was a special effort from the left-hander.

Following his retirement, now let us have a look at top five Test knocks by Alastair Cook against India in Tests

104 at Nagpur, March 2006

Alastair Cook made an immediate impact in Test cricket and scored a brilliant century in the 2^nd innings on his debut Test against India in Nagpur in 2006.

A young promising left-handed batsman, Cook looked in great touch and showed the world that he was a brilliant batsman against spin.

His knock of 104 came in 263 deliveries and included 12 fours. From that very day, Cook was always successful in the Indian conditions. On this occasion, the match ended in a draw. Meanwhile, the series was drawn 1-1 in the end.

294 at Birmingham, August 2011

It was a marathon knock by the then English skipper who yet again proved he loves scoring runs against India. It was the 3^rd Test of India’s tour of England when Cook mustered a sensational 294 to bat India out of the game.

He looked in complete command of proceedings and played some exceptional knocks during his marathon knock.

The southpaw played all the customary flick, cuts and the drives en route to his knock of 294. His innings studded with 33 fours.

Meanwhile, Eoin Morgan also scored a century, as England completed a convincing victory by an innings and 242 runs.

176 at Ahmedabad, November 2012

England began the Test series against India in 2012 on a losing note. However, Cook showed yet again why he loves batting against India and in the Indian conditions.

A master against spin, Alastair Cook played a master class, as other batsmen around him faltered to hand India a convincing victory. However, it was possible only after Cook played one of his best Test knocks.

After following on, Alastair Cook played quite brilliantly in the 2^nd innings and scored 176 in 374 deliveries which included 21 fours. Cook’s innings wasn’t enough as India completed a nine-wicket victory to go one-nil up in the series.

190 at Kolkata, December 2012

It was the 3^rd match of the same series, and by then England had already levelled the series with a brilliant victory in the 2^nd Test.

The Eden Gardens in Kolkata hosted the 3^rd Test, and Cook again made headlines with a stunning knock of 190. Again, Cook fell agonisingly close of the double century mark, but his innings was enough to give England the much-needed 2-1 lead in the four-match series.

The southpaw played quite brilliantly against the spinners and also the pace department. He drove and cut to perfection during another master class.

His innings of 190 studded with 23 fours and a couple of sixes. In the end, England completed a seven-wicket victory.

130 at Rajkot, November 2016

Alastair Cook had started declining in his Test career and was not scoring enough runs to his liking. It was the only Test of the five-match series in 2016 when England managed to eke out a draw.

It was the 2^nd innings of England’s batting that Cook scored yet another century against India and put England in a commanding position in the match.

He scored a brilliant 130 off 243 deliveries which included 13 fours. Cook has been a consistent performer, especially in the Indian conditions. However, it will be sad to not witness another Cook master class in such situations.