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Highest Fourth-Innings Individual Scores Against India
Why Fourth-Innings Chases Define Grit and Skill
Chasing in the fourth innings of a Test match is the ultimate examination of concentration and technique. Runs scored under this pressure carry immense weight, and over the years only a select few have mastered it against India’s formidable bowling attacks. Here we highlight the top five highest fourth-innings scores by batters facing India.
#5 Daryll Cullinan’s Unbeaten 122* – Johannesburg, 1997
In a tense pursuit of 356, South Africa’s Daryll Cullinan held firm in rainy Johannesburg. His unbeaten 122 off 200 balls, studded with 15 fours and a six, guided them to 228/8 and secured a draw. Battling the trio of Srinath, Prasad, and Kumble, Cullinan’s defiance turned certain defeat into hard-earned respect.
#4 Duleep Mendis’s Resilient 124 – Kandy, 1985
Sri Lanka needed 377 to win, but that target slipped away until skipper Duleep Mendis played a battling 124 from 228 balls in Kandy. His composed knock, in concert with Roy Dias’s 106, helped Sri Lanka recover to 307/7 and deny India victory. A stark display of temperament against a quality bowling lineup.
#3 Faf du Plessis’s Epic 134 – Johannesburg, 2013
Under Graeme Smith in 2013, South Africa required a mammoth chase of 458. Faf du Plessis answered the challenge with a marathon 134 from 309 balls, bolstered by AB de Villiers’s 103. They reached 450/7, falling just eight runs short as time ran out. Their resilience remains a benchmark of battling spirit.
#2 Joe Root’s Composed 142* – Edgbaston, 2022
On a probing Edgbaston pitch, Joe Root produced one of his finest Test innings: 142 off 173 balls* during England’s chase of 378 in the final Test of India’s 2022 tour. In tandem with Jonny Bairstow’s unbeaten 114, Root steered England to a dramatic seven-run victory, leveling the series—an innings rich in resolve and technical excellence.
#1 Ben Duckett’s Brilliance: 149 – Headingley, 2025
And finally, the crown goes to Ben Duckett, whose 149 off 170 balls, featuring 21 fours and a six, anchored England’s chase of 371 at Headingley in 2025. Along with Zak Crawley’s 65, Duckett built a 188-run foundation that set up a come-from-behind win. His fearless display under pressure outshone India’s premier bowlers and lit up one of England’s great Test victories.
What These Innings Reveal About Fourth-Innings Greatness
Nerves, Skill, and Temperament
Each of these knocks required:
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Mental fortitude to bat under relentless pressure
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Technical discipline against lunging and swinging deliveries
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Physical endurance—long hours, shifting light, and deteriorating pitches demanded supreme stamina
These innings rank among the finest for their blend of context, execution, and impact.
Check out our in-depth piece on England’s greatest fourth-innings chases for comparisons across eras.
Statistical Comparison at a Glance
| Player | Score | Not Out? | Balls | Venue | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Duckett | 149 | No | 170 | Headingley | England won |
| Joe Root | 142 | Yes | 173 | Edgbaston | England won |
| Faf du Plessis | 134 | No | 309 | Johannesburg | Draw |
| Duleep Mendis | 124 | No | 228 | Kandy | Draw |
| Daryll Cullinan | 122 | Yes | 200 | Johannesburg | Draw |
Why These Records Matter
These innings endure in Test lore not just for the runs, but for the composure and strategic nous they embodied. They remind us that on gripping wickets with a looming result, the fourth innings is where legends are carved.
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