How many times have India successfully chased a 300-plus target in home Tests?
Team India has been tasked with chasing a mammoth 359-run target in the second Test against New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. To date, India have been able to chase a 300+ target at home only once.
The visitors were bundled out for 255 runs in their second innings on Day 3 (Saturday, October 26), and were able to post the target on the back of their massive lead.
Chasing down totals in subcontinent Tests is among the biggest challenges in world cricket, given how abrasive and worn down the pitches get by the time the match reaches its conclusion. With the ball turning square and reverse swing coming into play, not many sides have been successful in the fourth innings in India.
The Men in Blue have been handed targets exceeding 300 a total of 26 times (including the ongoing Test) on home soil. Out of those attempts, they have lost 14 times and managed to draw on nine occasions. The historic 1986 Test against Australia in Chennai ended in a tie after India were bowled out for 347.
Their sole successful attempt in chasing over 300 on home soil came against England in 2008. In that match, India chased down 387 in Chennai, courtesy of a masterclass by the batting order.
The Kevin Pietersen-led visiting side declared for 311-9 in their second innings, and history was against India. Virender Sehwag set the tempo with a blistering 68-ball 83-run knock while fellow opener Gautam Gambhir chipped in with a fifty as well.
The hosts suffered a slight stutter after Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman were dismissed without making a significant contribution. The match was poised well at 224-4 before Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh joined forces to take the game away from England.
Tendulkar ended with an unbeaten ton while Yuvraj also played a huge hand in the proceedings with his unbeaten 85.
Team India have made a strong start to the run chase against New Zealand
Rohit Sharma and Yashavi Jaiswal have come out all guns blazing in a bid to level the three-Test series. The latter announced the intent with a second-ball six off Tim Southee.
As of writing, the hosts are placed at 30-0 after five overs in the first session in Pune. The pacers have been taken off the attack after a couple of overs as Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel are bowling in tandem in search of an early breakthrough.