This is where the worth of the longest format of the game shines out, this is where the second innings holds such importance. It offers batsmen a chance to script history, it gives them the opportunity to not only stamp their authority over the match but march into folklore.
Now, let’s have a look at five such mettlesome efforts by batsmen in their second innings of a Test match. Not all of them transpired into victory, but often the scars endured on the battlefield become a greater souvenir than the triumph itself.
Younis Khan (171* vs Sri Lanka)
The leading run-scorer from Pakistan seldom got the credit he so richly deserved. However, this did not ruffle the man who encountered numerous setbacks and rose every time with greater will and intent.
One such innings was played out in Pallekele as the visitors were chasing an improbable target of 377. Time was not a concern, but considering the huge mountain of runs, survival was difficult, let alone triumph.
But not for Younis Khan, who put his head down, marked his territory and guided Pakistan over the line all by his own. His 171 led Pakistan to a seven-wicket win and their highest successful run chase in five-day cricket. It was the second highest in Asia and the sixth highest in all Test cricket.
Virat Kohli (141 vs Australia)
Perhaps the biggest heartbreak in Virat Kohli’s glittering career came in the year 2014 in Adelaide when he scripted history by smashing a century in both the innings of a Test match and despite the superhuman effort, his team fell short by 48 runs. The excruciating result, but emancipating innings.
India were chasing a target of 364 runs and almost miraculously, the third wicket stand between Murali Vijay and Virat Kohli (157) put the visitors on the cusp of something special.
Kohli played like a man possessed. Each stroke that came off the stand-in captain’s willow reassured an entire cricket-crazy nation. He played every stroke in his arsenal with utmost precision and it seemed that he did not even blink before getting his hundred.
Just when the victory was in sight for the touring party, Kohli was undone courtesy a short ball from Nathan Lyon. As Kohli departed, the rest of the batting folded and Australia won the match by 48 runs.
Ricky Ponting (156 vs England)
The greatest men stand up when the going appears to be jittery, when the others are satisfied by merely crawling, they dare to sprint.
In the cauldron of Manchester in 2005, Ricky Ponting rose and produced one of the greatest Ashes innings ever.
The visitors were pushed to a corner on the final day and had to bat it out to save the match. England bowlers were baying for blood and the Aussie captain decided to put up a fight.
The Punter never gave up, he sprinted and slipped, but he got up every time. Playing his patent pull shots, he annihilated Ashley Giles and kept Harmison, Hoggard, Jones, Flintoff at bay.
He fell for 156 and four more overs were yet to be bowled as Ponting dragged himself out of the field. Number eleven Glenn McGrath walked out and thankfully, Ponting’s efforts did not go in vain.
The match was saved.
Faf du Plessis (110* vs Australia)
On the foreign soil of Adelaide, the target for South Africa was 430 and they were reeling at 45/4. Debutant Faf du Plessis came out to accompany AB de Villiers and that’s when they forgot about runs and played for survival.
Australians kept pounding in, Faf and AB kept blocking them like a wall.
On that evening of 2012, the two most flamboyant T20 players became Test match icons. AB played 220 balls to score 33 before giving up but Faf kept going.
Eventually, after facing 376 deliveries, scoring 110 runs and batting for eight hours, Faf saved the Test match for his country.
Sachin Tendulkar (103* vs England)
India worshipped Sachin Tendulkar. He symbolized hope, he was the epitome of dreams materialising into reality. Hence, it was only opportune that India’s biggest icon stood up when the nation was drained out of hope.
Mumbai was attacked in November 2008, India had been pushed into remorse, but cricket came rearing back to offer strands of hope. In a December 2008 Test against England, India needed 387 on a rugged Chennai surface.
Virender Sehwag perhaps did not know the target as he smashed 83 in 68 balls and suddenly the hosts believed that they could win the match.
While his hometown was still burning, Tendulkar walked out. He took guard, negotiated the initial phase, and then broke free.
Graeme Swann was getting the ball to turn, Andrew Flintoff was making the ball reverse, but the Master Blaster was on a mission.
317 minutes and 196 balls later Tendulkar got to his century and won the match for the country, for Mumbai and for the game of cricket.
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