UPSC Prelims 2004 Q116: Current Affairs – Cricket
Which of the following cricketers holds the record for the highest score in a Cricket Test
Match innings by an Indian?
- (a) Sunil Gavaskar
- (b) Vinoo Mankad
- (c) Sachin Tendulkar
- (d) V. V. S. Laxman
Answer: (d) V. V. S. Laxman
Explanation
Highest Test score by an Indian among the options
| Cricketer | Highest Test score |
|---|---|
| Virender Sehwag (not an option) | 309 v Pakistan at Multan, 29 March 2004; later 319 at Chennai (2008) |
| Virender Sehwag (not an option) | 309 v Pakistan at Multan, 29 March 2004; later 319 at Chennai (2008) |
| V. V. S. Laxman | 281 against Australia at Kolkata, 2001 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 248 not out |
| Sunil Gavaskar | 236 not out |
| Vinoo Mankad | 231 |
Among the options, V. V. S. Laxman holds the highest Test innings by an Indian, 281. The overall Indian record is higher than all four options (Sehwag, 309 in March 2004 and 319 in 2008), but Sehwag is not among the options, so the circulated key (d) is the only workable choice.
Answer: (d) V. V. S. Laxman.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Gavaskar's best is 236 not out.
- (b) Incorrect. Mankad's best is 231.
- (c) Incorrect. Tendulkar's best was 248 not out in 2004.
- (d) CORRECT. Laxman's 281 is the highest of these four.
Key point
Indian Test highs: Sehwag 319, Karun Nair 303*, Sehwag 309, Laxman 281, Dravid 270.
Remember
V. V. S. Laxman scored 281 at Kolkata in 2001.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Tendulkar as the most prolific batsman.
- Not recalling Laxman's 281 at Eden Gardens.
- Ignoring that Sehwag is not among the options.
Exam tip
Laxman 281 at Kolkata 2001, with Dravid, beat Australia after the follow-on.
Sources
- ESPNcricinfo — Statsguru: Test batting records, highest individual innings for India
- Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 2004 — Test cricket records