JuicyTalk
Old Trafford, the venerable cricket ground in Manchester, holds a unique and somewhat bittersweet place in the annals of Indian Test cricket. Despite being the venue for nine Test matches involving India since 1936, it remains the only ground where they’ve played that many games without securing a single victory, recording four losses and five draws.
This challenging history, however, has often been punctuated by moments of individual batting brilliance, where Indian batter have defied the typically seamer-friendly England conditions to produce unforgettable innings. Scoring a century in England is a monumental achievement, and these five performances stand as testament to the skill, resilience, and class of the Indian cricketers who authored them.
Here’s a detailed look at the top five highest individual scores by Indian batters at Old Trafford:
1. Mohammad Azharuddin: 179 vs England, 1990
In the second Test of the 1990 series, then-captain Mohammad Azharuddin etched his name into the Old Trafford record books with a magnificent 179 off 243 balls in India’s first innings. England had posted a formidable 519/6 declared, powered by centuries from Graham Gooch (116), Mike Atherton (131) and Robin Smith (121).
In response, India found themselves in a strong position thanks to a gritty 93 from Sanjay Manjrekar and a promising 68 from a young Sachin Tendulkar. However, it was Azharuddin’s innings that truly anchored India’s reply. His elegant, wristy strokeplay, featuring 21 fours and 1 six, kept the English bowlers at bay and propelled India to a strong total of 432. Though the match ultimately ended in a draw, Azharuddin’s captain’s knock was widely lauded and remains the highest individual score by an Indian at this venue, a testament to his exceptional talent and leadership.
2. Sandeep Patil: 129 not out vs England, 1982
A year before he would be part of India’s historic 1983 World Cup-winning squad, Sandeep Patil delivered a truly defiant and memorable innings in the second Test against England in 1982. After England declared their first innings at 425, with Ian Botham smashing 128, India found themselves in deep trouble at 173/6. That’s when Patil unleashed a spectacular, unbeaten 129 off 196 balls. His innings was a blend of aggressive strokeplay and steely determination, featuring 18 fours and 2 sixes. He formed crucial partnerships, notably with Syed Kirmani (58) and Kapil Dev (65), turning the tide for India. Despite facing a strong England bowling attack, Patil’s audacious batting ensured India recovered to 379/8 before the match concluded in a draw. His knock remains a shining example of a counter-attacking innings played under immense pressure.
3. Sachin Tendulkar: 119 not out vs England, 1990
The very same 1990 Manchester Test that saw Azharuddin’s heroics also marked the arrival of a cricketing prodigy on the world stage. A mere 17-year-old Tendulkar displayed glimpses of his future greatness, scoring his maiden Test century with an unbeaten 119 from 189 balls in India’s second innings. After Azharuddin’s 179 in the first innings, England’s second innings saw them declare at 320/4, setting India a target of 408 runs for victory.
Tendulkar, having already scored 68 in the first innings, came to the crease and batted with remarkable composure and maturity beyond his years. He forged a vital partnership with Manoj Prabhakar (67 not out), ensuring India reached 343/6 and saved the match. This innings, adorned with 17 fours, not only announced the Master Blaster’s presence but also made him, at 17 years and 107 days, the third-youngest centurion in Test history, a record that still stands among the youngest.
4. Polly Umrigar: 118 vs England, 1959
Pahlan Ratanji “Polly” Umrigar, a stalwart of Indian cricket in the 1950s, played a significant innings of 118 in the second Test against England in 1959. This century was particularly notable as it came against a formidable English bowling attack, which included the fiery fast bowler Fred Trueman, whom Umrigar had notoriously struggled against during India’s previous tour in 1952. Despite India suffering a 171-run defeat in this match, Umrigar’s resilient hundred was a display of his improved technique and strong temperament, silencing critics and underlining his stature as one of India’s premier batsmen of that era. His ability to score against top-class pace bowling on English soil was a testament to his class.
5. Vijay Merchant: 114 vs England, 1936
In India’s inaugural Test match at Old Trafford back in 1936, the legendary opening batsman Vijay Merchant showcased his class with a superb 114. After England had declared their first innings at a formidable 571/8, India were bowled out for just 203 in their first attempt and faced the follow-on. In the second innings, opening the batting, Merchant, known for his elegant and disciplined style, built a magnificent 203-run opening partnership with Mushtaq Ali. His innings was a cornerstone of India’s resilient fightback, helping them avoid defeat and securing a draw in their very first appearance at this historic ground.
Partnering Merchant in that same historic 1936 Test, Mushtaq also played a captivating innings of 112. While Merchant provided the solidity, Ali’s innings was characterized by his flamboyant and aggressive approach, making him one of India’s pioneering attacking batter. His century was crucial in India’s second innings fightback after being forced to follow on. The 203-run opening stand between Merchant and Ali laid the foundation for India to draw the match against a dominant England side, showcasing the early promise of Indian batting talent on foreign shores.
