Most Test Runs By Indian Batsmen In SENA Countries

There is no denying that Test Cricket is arguably the toughest format of the game. As a batsman, facing the red ball is definitely not an easy task, especially in overseas conditions. For any Indian batsman, making runs in the SENA countries is the biggest challenge. The swing, bounce and seam movement have also been a challenge outside of Asia. Most of the Indian batsmen, over the years, have endured disappointing numbers at SENA.

The pace and bounce in Australia and South Africa and swing and seam movement in England and New Zealand have troubled the Indian batsmen. However, there are some legendary cricketers who tackled the swing and bounce pretty well and scored heaps of runs in SENA countries.

Most Test Runs By Indian Batsmen In SENA Countries:

Sourav Ganguly: 2311 runs

One of the most celebrated Indian skippers, Sourav Ganguly enjoyed an illustrious Test Cricket Career. In 113 Tests, he had scored 7212 at an average of 42.2. The fact that he not only scored runs at home but enjoyed a top-notch record outside of Asia tells one about his importance in the then, Indian batting line-up.

Sourav Ganguly though struggled against New Zealand but thrived in Australia, England, and in South Africa. He played 32 matches in SENA countries and scored 2311 runs, which included 13 half-centuries and 5 centuries. He averaged 42.01 in SENA countries.

His best score in SENA countries came against Australia. In the first Test of the 2003-04 Border Gavaskar Series, Sourav Ganguly played an outstanding 144-run knock in the second innings, which helped India post 409 in the second innings. That game eventually resulted in a draw. He currently has the sixth most number of runs in SENA countries.

Sunil Gavaskar: 2464 runs

A man who knew the art of judging the lines and lengths accurately to tackle the swing and bounce, Sunil Gavaskar enjoyed great success outside of Asia. He was India’s biggest bet in the batting line-up during the late 70s and 80s.

Sunil Gavaskar scored 2464 runs in 33 matches in SENA countries. He hit as many as 8 centuries and 11 half-centuries outside of Asia. Of the four countries, Sunil Gavaskar scored the most runs against Australia, with 920 runs to his name.

Sunil Gavaskar finished his Test Cricket Career with over 10,000 runs at an average of over 50. Overall, he has 34 centuries and 45 half-centuries to his name.

VVS Laxman: 2710 runs

VVS Laxman sits fourth in the list of most runs scored by Indian batsmen in SENA countries. Whenever you hear about VVS Laxman, his 281-run knock against Australia in the 2000-01 Border Gavaskar series would come to mind.

Laxman had a penchant for scoring runs against Australia. He, in fact, scored the most runs against Australia in his career. The former Indian batsmen formed India’s backbone in the middle-order for a number of years. He enjoys a terrific record in SENA countries and is in fact scored the fourth-most runs by an Indian batsman.

In 41 matches played in SENA, Laxman scored 2710 runs, which included 15 half-centuries and 5 centuries. Interestingly, of those 2710, 1236 runs came in Australia.

Virat Kohli: 3008 runs

Virat Kohli has been enduring a rough patch with the bat, lately. However, he is known to stand on big occasions and score runs against big teams. His ability to step up on the big occasions has made him what he is today.

He has great numbers not only in India but also outside of Asia in Test Cricket. Virat Kohli currently has 3008 runs in SENA countries and thus sits third in the list.

He averages 54.08 in Australia, scoring 1352 runs in 13 games. He has played 4 Tests in New Zealand and 5 Tests in South Africa, scoring 252 and 558 runs respectively.

Rahul Dravid: 3909 runs

There aren’t a lot of Asian cricketers who played better than Rahul Dravid in the swinging conditions in England. In 13 Tests, he scored 1376 runs in England at an average of 68.80. Averaging 41.54, he scored 1166 runs in 16 matches in Australia. Besides, he scored 766 runs and 624 runs in South Africa at an average of 43.72 and 36.64 respectively.

Sachin Tendulkar: 5387 runs

There is no country where the little master didn’t dominate the opposition. He has scored runs heavily in all the top cricket-playing nations. He averages above 40 in all the countries he played at. He has scored the most runs by an Indian batsman in SENA countries.

Sachin Tendulkar has 5387 Test runs in SENA countries and thus finds himself at the top of the list. He made these many runs in 63 games at an average of 51.30. He has 17 centuries and 23 half-centuries in SENA countries. He scored 1809 runs in Australia in 20 matches, 842 runs in 11 matches in New Zealand, 1161 runs in 15 matches in South Africa, 1575 runs in 17 matches in England.

Sachin Tendulkar finished his Test Cricket Career with close to 16,000 runs and 51 centuries.