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Scoring a double century in Test cricket on Australian soil is truly special as scoring a century itself in Australia is a significant achievement for any cricketer. Despite the challenges posed by the tough Australian pitches, only three Indian batsmen have managed to reach this remarkable feat in Test cricket. Interestingly, none of these players are currently active in international cricket, yet their contributions have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket’s history in Australia.
3 Indian batsmen who have scored a double century in Tests on Australian soil
1. Ravi Shastri
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Ravi Shastri was the first Indian batsman to score a double century in Australia. This milestone came during India’s 1991-92 tour of Australia in the third Test at Sydney. In a match that also saw Australian legend Shane Warne making his Test debut, Shastri played a memorable knock. India was chasing Australia’s first innings, totaling 313/10, and despite the early setback of Navjot Singh Sidhu getting out for a duck, Shastri delivered a remarkable innings.
He scored 206 runs off 477 balls, leading India to a total of 483 runs in their first innings. Shastri’s performance, coupled with an unbeaten 148 from a young Sachin Tendulkar, helped India put up a strong fight. Australia managed just 173/8 in their second innings, and the match ended in a draw. For his efforts, Shastri was named the Player of the Match.
2. Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid, fondly known as “The Wall,” became the second Indian batsman to score a double century on Australian soil. During India’s 2003-04 tour, Dravid achieved this feat in the second Test in Adelaide. Batting in the first innings, Dravid played a monumental knock of 233 runs off 446 balls, which included 23 fours and a six.
His double century, along with an important 148-run contribution from VVS Laxman, helped India post a total of 523 runs, chasing down Australia’s first-innings total of 556. In the second innings, Australia was bowled out for 196, and India set a target of 230 runs. Dravid then came back to score an unbeaten 72* in the fourth innings, playing a crucial role in securing India’s victory. For his outstanding contributions, Dravid was named Player of the Match.
3. Sachin Tendulkar
The third and final Indian batsman to score a double century in Australia is none other than the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar’s remarkable achievement came during the 2003-04 Australia tour in the fourth Test at Sydney. Batting first, India declared their innings at a staggering 705/7, with Tendulkar scoring an unbeaten 241* off 436 balls. His innings, which featured 33 boundaries, were the cornerstone of India’s mammoth total. Along with Tendulkar’s double century, VVS Laxman also contributed a significant 178 runs.
Australia could only manage 474 runs in their first innings, and India declared their second innings at 211/2, setting Australia a daunting target of 443 runs. In response, Australia reached 357/6, and the match ended in a draw. Tendulkar’s exceptional innings in both the first and second innings, including an unbroken 60* in the second innings, earned him the Player of the Match award. This Test also marked the final match of Steve Waugh’s illustrious Test career.
Scoring a double century in Australia is no small feat, and the three Indian cricketers—Ravi Shastri, Rahul Dravid, and Sachin Tendulkar—remain the only ones to have achieved this rare distinction. Their monumental knocks not only contributed significantly to India’s performance in those series but also added to the rich history of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. As Indian cricket continues to evolve, these iconic performances will always be remembered as some of the finest displays of batting on Australian soil.
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