India's top 3 highest run-scorers in Tests at Adelaide Oval before BGT 2024-25 ft. Virat Kohli
Team India started off their Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign with a bang after a resounding win by 295 runs in the opening Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Australia have to find answers quickly if they have to stage a turnaround and level the series in Adelaide.
The second Test will be held at the Adelaide Oval from December 6, which will be a day-night affair. Over the years, Adelaide has been a ground known for big scores and batters spending a long time out in the middle. However, India were blown away by the Aussies in their previous pink ball assignment in Adelaide.
After securing a 53-run lead, India were skittled out for just 36 in the second innings, paving way for Australia’s comprehensive win. India have played a total of 13 Test matches in Adelaide with the curtain raiser being way back in 1948. They have won just two while losing seven and drawing three.
Despite India’s indifferent Test record in Adelaide, it has been a happy hunting ground for certain batters and they have relished batting in this conditions. Ahead of the second Test in Adelaide, let us have a look at India’s top three run-getters in Tests at the Adelaide Oval.
#3 Virender Sehwag- 388 runs in 6 innings
Virender Sehwag is someone who completely changed the definition of Test batting during his time with the Indian team. He absolutely demolished bowling attacks and demoralised them with his aggressive batting. He was never bothered about a game situation and always backed his skills to come out on top.
He stands third in the list for Indian batters with most Test runs at the Adelaide Oval. Sehwag has scored 388 runs in six innings, including a century and a couple of fifties. Sehwag’s first Test century at the Adelaide Oval came during the 2007-08 tour.
Sehwag scored an impressive 63 in the first innings and backed it up with a stunning 151 in the second innings. With both Australia and India posting more than 500 in the first innings, it was always a tough proposition to produce a result. The match eventually ended in a draw with Australi taking the series 2-1.
#2 Rahul Dravid- 401 runs in 8 innings
One of the greatest Test batters to have ever graced the game of cricket, Rahul Dravid has an impressive record at the Adelaide Oval but it was mainly due to one superhuman effort during the Adelaide Test during the 2003-04 tour.
He has scored 401 runs in eight innings at Adelaide but 305 runs came in a single Test. Back in 2003, Dravid scored a match-winning 233 against a mighty Australian bowling attack. Going after Australia’s mammoth 556 in the first innings, India was down and out when Dravid and VVS Laxman shared a partnership for the ages.
Dravid went onto score 233 which included 23 fours and a six and also ensured India was within touching distance of Australia’s first-innings score. Dravid was at his sublime best again in the second innings, scoring an unbeaten 72 as India registered a historic four-wicket win.
#1 Virat Kohli- 509 runs in 8 innings
The list is topped by none other than the modern great Virat Kohli who has a stupendous record at the Adelaide Oval. He has scored 509 runs in 8 innings including three centuries and a fifty. India would go a long way in securing a 2-0 lead in the ongoing five-match series if Kohli manages to replicate his heroics.
Kohli scored his first Test century at the Adelaide Oval back in 2012 which also happened to be Virat’s maiden Test century. He was at the face of the Aussies and it was just an indication of what was about to come in the next tour. Kohli scored twin centuries in the 2014-15 almost single-handedly took India over the finish line.
He scored a well-compiled 115 in the first innings and followed it up with 141 in the second innings. Virat couldn't quite stay there till the end in the run chase which resulted in Australia registering a hard-fought victory.
Even in the first innings of the pink ball Test in the 2020-21 tour, Kohli scored a stroke-filled 74 before being run out.