New Zealand's commanding 356-run lead joins an elite list of mammoth visiting team leads on Indian soil
Day 3 of the first Test match between India and New Zealand has been nothing short of a nightmare for the Indian camp. After collapsing to 46 all out in their first innings, India is now trailing by 356 runs—courtesy of New Zealand’s imposing first-innings score of 402 thanks to Rachin Ravindra’s gritty 134. As the clouds loomed over Bengaluru, adding to the already tense atmosphere, India backed into a corner, needing a Herculean effort to turn things around. On the other hand, New Zealand seems to be in the driver’s seat, poised to create history.
A fantastic knock from Rachin Ravindra comes to an end with New Zealand taking a huge first-innings lead of 356 đź‘Ź
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 18, 2024
Can India save this Test? https://t.co/tzXZHnJhUa #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/9Niicpk2Au
This remarkable 356-run lead by New Zealand is now etched in the record books as the third-highest lead ever taken by a visiting team on Indian soil. But where does it stand among the most commanding leads? Let’s revisit the top three incidents where visiting teams left India gasping for air.
The number one spot on this list belongs to South Africa, which delivered an absolute masterclass in Ahmedabad during its tour of India in 2008. After posting a mammoth 494 for 7 declared in their first innings, thanks to AB de Villiers’ unbeaten 217 and Jacques Kallis’ classy 132, South Africa’s bowlers then decimated the Indian batting lineup. Dale Steyn, in particular, was unstoppable, taking 5 wickets for just 23 runs, as India was skittled out for a dismal 76 in their first innings.
With a lead of 418 runs, South Africa didn’t need to bat again. Despite a fighting 87 from Sourav Ganguly in India’s second innings, the hosts fell short by an inning and 90 runs. That crushing defeat remains etched in Indian cricket’s history as one of the most painful home losses.
Back in 1985, England’s tour of India saw one of the most dominant performances by a visiting team on Indian soil. Playing at Chennai, England posted an imposing 652 for 7 declared, leaving India shell-shocked. Led by the likes of David Gower and Mike Gatting, who piled on the runs, England surged ahead to a massive lead of 380 runs.
India, in response, could only muster 272 in their first innings. Forced to follow on, they fared slightly better in their second innings, posting 412, with solid contributions from the middle order. However, England only needed 33 runs to win the match, and they did so comfortably with 9 wickets to spare.
Ahmedabad once again witnessed a visiting team’s dominance. Still, this time, it was Sri Lanka who piled on the agony for India. In 2009, after India posted a solid 426 in their first innings, Sri Lanka responded with an eye-watering 760 for 7 declared. Mahela Jayawardene’s majestic 275 and Prasanna Jayawardene’s unbeaten 154 allowed Sri Lanka to build a commanding lead of 334 runs.
Despite this, India showed resilience in their second innings, with Gautam Gambhir scoring 114 and Sachin Tendulkar contributing a gritty 100 not out. India finished at 412 for 4, salvaging a draw from what initially seemed like a lost cause. Although the match ended in a stalemate, the sheer magnitude of Sri Lanka’s first-innings lead remains one of the largest by any visiting team on Indian soil.
