Top 10 Highest Successful Run Chases in Test Cricket: England Joins Elite List After 371-Run Chase vs India at Headingley

10. England - 373/5 vs India, June 20th 2025, Leeds

The series of high stakes and high pressure. The Indian team, after the retirement of three legends Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravinchandran Ashwin, whereas the English team without the services of Broad, Anderson, Jofra Archer, and Mark Wood. It was time for a new era in Indian cricket, and all eyes were on newly appointed skipper Shubman Gill.

In the first test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Ben Stokes, the England skipper, won the toss and decided to field first. A lot of cricket experts doubted this decision, but Stokes was firm on his decision. Soon, the Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul stitched together an opening stand of 91 and put India in a commanding position. Jaiswal became the first Centurion of this series, 101(159). After quick wickets, the captain, Shubman Gill, and vice-captain Rishabh Pant stood tall, and both scored their centuries as well. Shubman 147 and Rishabh Pant 134 made sure India had a huge total on board, but England wrapped up the tail quickly, and India were all out for 471/10.

Apart from Jasprit Bumrah, no other bowler looked as a threat to the English batters. A century from Ollie Pope 106 and supported by Harry Brook, who narrowly missed his century by just one run, brought England close to the total of England, and they trailed by just 6 runs.

Now the game was in balance, and it was important for India to set a huge target for England to chase in the final innings. India didn't start well as they lost the centurion Jaiswal cheaply, but KL Rahul's classy batting and good defence steadied the ship. KL Rahul scored 137, and once again, the vice-captain Rishabh Pant scored a ton, 118, and became the first Indian batter to score twin centuries in England . Once again, the same story continued, England wrapped up the tail quickly, and India were bundled for 364/10.

England at this time is known for their Bazzball cricket, which means fearless and aggressive batting. India had a slight edge over the host, but things turned completely opposite as the two English openers Crawley and Ben Duckett put up an opening stand of 188. Duckett scored his hundred. Joe Root used his experience and stayed in the middle, and ensured that England sealed this win and won the first match of India's tour of England. 

9. England - 378/3 vs India, July 1st 2022 , Birmingham

This was the fifth and last test match of this series, which was halted for some reason. India, batting first, looked strong, and they had many good partnerships in the middle. James Anderson and Matthew Potts dismissed the Indian top 4 cheaply. Still, it was Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja who stitched together a partnership of 228, and both scored their centuries too, and India set a total of 416 in the first innings. 

While batting for the first time, it was very crucial for England to reach near the score of India so that they remain in the game. Jasprit Bumrah thrashed the top order of England very cheaply, but a small partnership between Joe Root and Johnny Bairstow gave a lifeline to England. But soon Joe Root was also dismissed, Jonny Bairstow went on to score his century, and England only managed to score 284/10. Siraj took 4 wickets and Bairstow scored 106 runs.

India now had decent lead and it seemed that England was almost out of the game at this point of time but the English bowlers made a comeback but they were equally countered by Indian batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant both score their fifty and no other batter stood at the crease for long and India were all out for 245/10.

England now had a target of 378 in the 4th innings, which almost looked impossible to chase, and the English openers made a partnership of 107 runs. Bumrah made a strong comeback, dismissing Ollie Pope for a duck, and looked like India now found an opening, but two experienced batters stood tall against the mighty bowling attack of India. Joe Root and Johnny Bairstow stitched a huge partnership of 269 runs, and the Indian team looked clueless about how to tackle them. Joe Root with 142*(173) and Bairstow with 114*(145) won the game single-handedly for the home team. Johnny Bairstow was given the player of the match award for his twin centuries.

8. Pakistan - 382/3 vs Sri Lanka, July 3rd, 2015, Pallekele

In the 3rd test in the series, Pakistan faced Srilanka in Pallekele. In the first innings, Sri Lanka batted first and on the back of Dimuth Karunaratne’s brilliant knock of 130 (230) and a fair contribution from Upul Tharanga, scoring 46 runs in 92 balls. Sri Lanka managed to score a total of 278/10. The experienced spinner Yasir Shah starred with a fifer and displayed his leg spin skill, and he got support from Rahat Ali, who took 3 wickets.

In reply, Pakistan didn't manage to get a huge score, and they had quite a decent innings and an ordinary contribution from the batters, and half centuries from Azhar Ali and Sarfaraz Ahmed set a total of 215/10, and Pakistan conceded the lead. Sarfaraz Ahmed remained stranded on the non-striker's end as wickets were falling quickly from the other end. Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep, and Tharindu Kaushal took three wickets each.

Sri Lanka started their second innings with a lead of 69 runs and were in a commanding position in the match. The top 4 batters of Sri Lanka were dismissed cheaply, but the skipper Angelo Matthews stood strong and scored 122 runs, and he was equally supported by Dinesh Chandimal, 67. All these contributions made up a total of 313, and Pakistan needed to chase down 382 in their 2nd innings.

In the fourth innings, Ahmed Shehzad was dismissed for a duck, and soon Azhar Ali followed, but opener Saud Shakeel remained determined and looked in great touch. The partnership between Saud Shakeel and Younis Khan proved to be a match-winning one for Pakistan as both scored big hundreds. After the dismissal of Saud Shakeel, the Lankans found an opening, but Misbah ul Haq supported his teammate Younis Khan, and both remained not out and chased down this huge target. 

7. India - 397/4 vs England, December 11th 2008 , Chennai

In the first test match of the series, England faced India in Chennai. This series promised to be a blockbuster series. While batting first, the visitors set a decent total of 316/10, kudos to the opener Andrew Strauss, who scored 123, and Matt Prior who played an unbeaten knock of 59 runs, and it looked like India would come near or even take the lead in the first innings. As always Chennai wicket was turning, and Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra took 3 wickets each.

In reply, England needed to dismiss India's top order quickly, and they did so. The Indian top 3 was dismissed cheaply, but a decent contribution from middle-order batters and half half-century from the skipper MS Dhoni saved the day for India and somehow managed to get a total of 241/10. England took the lead in the first innings, kudos to a brilliant spell from Monty Panesar, who took 3 crucial wickets.

In England's second innings, the Indian bowlers did a good job and every English batter was dismissed early, but once again Andrew Strauss stood at the crease once again smashing a ton (108), and he was supported by Paul Collingwood (108). Somehow, they managed to score in excess of 300, and now India had a herculean task to chase down the big total in the last innings.

England looked favorites to win as the pitch was spinning and staying low as time went by. The Indian Openers got a very good start, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag both scored fifties, and after that it was the Little Master's show. Sachin Tendulkar went on to score a ton, and his partnership with Yuvraj Singh sealed the win for India and chased down the highest ever 4th innings score for India. 

6. Sri Lanka - 391/10 vs Zimbabwe, July 14th, 2017, Colombo

It was a one-off test match between these two sides, and Zimbabwe didn't look promising to win this test match. But they turned every criticism into performance while batting first, Zimbabwe top 3 were dismissed very quickly and it looked like they would get all out soon but the experienced player Craig Ervine scored a daddy hundred 160 and he was supported by the middle order and gave some valuable contribution and Zimbabwe scored a total of 356. Rangana Herath, the experienced left-arm spinner, took a fifer.

After a humiliating first innings, Sri Lanka needed to bounce back stronger with their batting, and they did so, but even after that, they conceded the lead because no batter converted their start into a big score.  Sri Lanka got all out for 346 in their first innings. Skipper Graeme Cremer took Fifer.

Zimbabwe came to bat again this time with a lead and it was almost an action replay top order failed again but once again experienced player took the charge this time it was Sikandar Raza with the ton 126 and supported by the middle order with some contribution and Zimbabwe set the target of 390 for the home side to win this one off test match.

It would be a shame if the Lankans lose this match and a revolutionary win for Zimbabwe, but the home side didn't give up easily. They chased down this target, but surprisingly, no batter scored a century; it was an equally contributed win for the host. Gunaratne, Dickwella, and Kusal Mendis scored half-centuries, and it proved to be enough as Sri Lanka won this match by 4 wickets.

5. West Indies - 395/7 vs Bangladesh, February 7th 2021, Chattogram

In the first test of the series, the host Bangladesh locked horns with the visitors West Indies during the COVID-affected phase. Host Bangladesh batted first and scored a huge total of 430/10, kudos to a century from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and half-centuries from Shakib Al Hasan and opener Shadman Islam. The West Indies bowling line-up looked helpless during their bowling and didn't have any spark. Jomel Warrican took 4 wickets, but he had to bowl 48 overs for those wickets.

Now the visitors needed to get a huge score to come near the Bangladesh total. But unfortunately, only Skipper Brathwaite and Blackwood showed some determination and scored half-centuries. Apart from these two, no batter could manage much, and for Bangladesh, Mehidy Hasan Miraz continued his good performance this time with the ball as he picked up 4 wickets and narrowly missed a fifer. West Indies got all out on 259, and Bangladesh took the lead in the first innings.

It was now time to set a target for the visitors and Bangladeshi batter did it perfectly but this time the top 3 was dismissed cheaply for less than 30 runs but Mominul Haque stood his ground and scored 115 and made the lead big for West Indies to chase but Bangladesh did a mistake by taking a risk, they declared their innings and wanted to go for the win quickly and this is where the tables turned. Obviously it was going to be herculean task for West Indies and everyone thought it would be an easy victory for Bangladesh but West Indian batter Kyle Mayers took the charge and it was a delight to watch him play, Mayers scored a double ton 210* and remained not out till the end to ensure this record breaking for the windies as they chased down 395 and won the match by 3 wickets. 

4. Australia - 404/3 vs England, 22nd July 1948, Leeds

During this time, only England and Australia played against each other, and it was the era of Sir Don Bradman. But this test was unusual as we saw a lot of runs being scored in this match. While batting first, the host England scored a mammoth total of 496, which was considered a record-breaking score in that era. Kudos to centuries from Cyril Washbrook (143) and Bill Edrich (111), and all eyes were on Sir Don Bradman now.

While batting, Australia had all eyes on the great Bradman, but he was dismissed for just 33 runs. But an extraordinary innings from Neil Harvey (112) brought the Aussies back in the game, and Australia managed 458/10 in their first innings, which is considered unreal at that time.

Till the start of the 3rd innings, everyone knew that this was something unusual and they were witnessing a historic match. English top 4 batters scored half-centuries, and none managed to convert the start, but still they managed to score 365/8 and declared the innings.

Now the visitors needed 404 runs to win, and it almost looked impossible at that time, but

Australian opener Arthur Morris scored 182, and all eyes were on Sir Don Bradman, who proved why he is the best and scored 173* and made sure his team crossed the finishing line and won this historic match.

3. India - 406/4 vs West Indies, April 7th 1976, Port of Spain

This contest featured many great players like Sir Viv Richards, Michael Holding, Clive Lloyd, Sunil Gavaskar, and Gundappa Vishwanath. This match promised to be a thriller, and it proved to be one. While batting first, the host West Indies scored 359 in the first innings, and it was none other than Sir Viv Richards who scored a ton, 177, and was supported by his captain, Clive Lloyd, 68.

Big total and all eyes on Indian Batting, but in the first innings, the Indian batting lineup dropped the weapons against some serious pace of Michael Holding, who took 6 wickets and destroyed the Indian batting order. No batter crossed the fifty-run mark and India were bowled for just 228 runs, conceding a huge lead in the first innings.

After a poor batting display, it was time to perform well with the ball. But once again, the giant Windies began to destroy Indian bowlers, and this time Alvin Kallicharan scored a ton, 103, and Captain Clive Lloyd decided to declare the innings on 276/6.

Every Indian fan thought that the best to avoid a defeat is to draw the match but Indian team had some other plans two of the greatest batters in Indian cricket history Sunil Gavaskar 102 and Gundapppa Vishwanath 112* made history on the soil of West Indies they were supported by Mohinder Amarnath and till date this remains India's highest chase in test history.

2. South Africa - 414 vs Australia, December 17th, 2008, WACA

While batting first, the host Australia started good, but two quick wickets, where Skipper Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey were dismissed for ducks, but once again the middle and lower middle order proved to be a headache for South Africa, and Australia finished with 375/10.

Now it was time for the visiting team to bat, and South Africa started well and both AB de Villiers and Jaques Kallis scored 63, but that day Mitchell Johnson was almost unplayable as he dismissed 8 South African batters that day and was the sole reason why South Africa finished for 281/10.

This time the visitors got an early wicket but once again that giant middle order did what they were known for not allowing the bowlers to expose the lower order soon but still tight lines and accurate bowling from South Africa restricted the host for 319/10 now they needed 414 in the fourth innings to win the match.

The kind of form Mitchell Johnson showed in the first innings looked like he carry that form but South Africa batters had some other plans centuries from Ab De Villiers 106 and Graeme Smith 108, half centuries from Hashim Amla, J Kallis and  JP Duminy set the base for South Africa biggest win in their test cricket history. AB De Villiers was awarded the player of the match 

1. West Indies - 418/7 vs Australia, May 9th 2003, St John's Stadium

While batting first in the 4th test match, Australia looked worried as the youngster Jermaine Lawson took 7 wickets against the mighty batting line-up of the Aussies. No batter crossed the fifty-run mark and Australia were bundled for just 240/10 in their first innings.

In reply the host looked comfortable as Brian Lara was looking good and was batting on 68 and it looked like big score is coming from his bat but suddenly he lost his wicket to Bichel and after that it was collapse for West Indies as they scored exactly 240 runs and now their was no lead or no trail for them.

A good chance for West Indies to get the Australian’s out early and chase the target but it was going to opposite as both the Aussie openers Mathew Hayden and Justin Langer scored a ton and that opening partnership lasted for 242 runs and on back of this huge partnership Australia set the target of 418 runs for the host West Indies to win this test match.

It almost looked impossible as no team ever chased down this big target ever in test cricket history but the Windies middle order had other plans Brian Lara again looked comfortable but lost his wicket on 60 runs but after his departure Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul scored ton and it was the record breaking chase in the history of the game as West Indies won the game by 3 wickets. Shivnarine Chanderpaul was awarded the Player of the Match for his Batting performance.