India handed 549-run target: Why it's rare in home Tests
What's the story
South Africa battered India by extending their second-innings lead in the 2nd Test at Guwahati's Barsapara Cricket Stadium. After bowling India out for 201, the Proteas played 78.3 more overs to score 260/5 in the second innings. They gave India a mammoth 549-run target with a day to go. Have India been set a 500-plus target in a home Test before?
Stats
Rare target for India at home
The sight of India receiving a 500-plus target in home Tests is rare, given their dominance. According to Cricbuzz, India have been set a 500-plus target in a home Test only on one other occasion. It happened in the 2004 Nagpur Test when Australia handed the home side a 543-run target. India lost that match by 342 runs, their biggest Test defeat (by runs).
Chases
Highest successful run-chases in India
According to Cricbuzz, a 400-plus total is yet to be chased down to win a Test match in Asia. The highest successful run-chase in Asia in Tests is 395 by West Indies against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2021. And the highest such total in India is 387 by India against England in Chennai in 2008.
Do you know?
Highest successful run-chases in Test history
India's highest successful run-chase in Test cricket is 406 against the West Indies at Port of Spain in 1976, as per ESPNcricinfo. Meanwhile, WI (418 vs Australia, 2003) and South Africa (414 vs Australia, 2008) are the only teams to accomplish 410-plus targets in Tests.