10 Indian batsmen to score a test century at Lord’s

The Lord’s Cricket Ground remains the Home of Cricket. It’s the pilgrimage for cricketers that they don’t want to miss out on. Hence, scoring a test century or bagging a fifer to get on the Lord’s honours board seems always special. It is a rare feat to score a Test century at Lord’s for any Indian batter. The conditions are challenging, with plenty of seam movements. Vinoo Mankad showed the way, scoring a mammoth 184 back in 1952. Then, there was Sourav Ganguly, who scored a century on his Test debut at Lord’s. Dilip Vengsarkar scored as many as three at the venue.

While India have won only three Tests at the Lord’s in 19 matches. As many as 10 Indian batters have scored a Test century at Lord’s, but some of the greats of the game, including Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli, never had any at the venue. Then, there was a stunning century in 2002 by Ajit Agarkar that defied the odds. As Team India play their 20th Test match at Lord’s, here is a look at 10 Lords of Lord’s.

Indian batters to score a Test century at Lord’s

Vinoo Mankad (1952)

The first Indian to score a century at Lord’s is the trailblazer, Vinoo Mankad. In 1952, his majestic 184 in the second innings remains the highest individual score by an Indian at this iconic venue. While the match ended in a draw, he conquered Lord’s at a time; not many Indian batters thought they could.

Gundappa Vishwanath (1979)

GR Vishwanath scored 113 in 1979, helping India draw the match against a strong England. After a paltry 96 all out, India were under pressure as England declared at 419/9 in their first innings. However, the 2nd innings was different. Vishwanath partnered Dilip Vengsarkar for a 210-run stand as India posted 318/4, helping them draw the match.

Dilip Vengsarkar (1979, 1982, 1986)

Dilip Vengsarkar is the Lord of the Lord’s or as he is fondly known, The Colonel of Lord’s. Vengsarkar scored three centuries in 4 matches and a half-century, averaging 72.57. His first century came in 1979 when he helped India draw the Test. In his second tour in 1982, Vengsarkar slammed 157, although in defeat. In 1986, he created history as his unbeaten 126 helped India beat England for the first time at Lord’s.

Ravi Shastri (1990)

After Graham Gooch scored a 333 after being dropped on a duck, England posted a mammoth 653/4 total in the first innings. But India refused to go down without a fight. Ravi Shastri led the charge with a patient 100 in 1990. Despite his century, India couldn’t avoid a 247-run defeat. Shastri’s knock, however, added his name to the Lord’s honours board.

Mohammad Azharuddin (1990)

In the same match, Mohammad Azharuddin, India captain, scored 121 as India posted 454, fighting England’s gigantic total of 653. However, with Graham Gooch scoring another century in the same match, India could not launch a fightback. India lost the match by 247 runs.

Sourav Ganguly (1996)

Sourav Ganguly announced his arrival on the Test stage with a sensational 131 on debut in 1996. With India losing Vikram Rathour with 25 runs on board, debutant Sourav Ganguly held on from one end. Even as India kept losing wickets, he shouldered on. Another debutant, Rahul Dravid, fell short of his century, scoring 95, but his partnership with Ganguly helped India post 429 in response to England’s 344. The match ended in a draw.

Ajit Agrakar (2002)

In the entire list of Indian centurions, the surprising one is of Ajit Agarkar. The current chief selector is the only Indian fast bowler to score a century at Lord’s. Even though India lost the match, Agarkar waged a lone battle, scoring an unbeaten 109, bossing over Matthew Hoggard.

Rahul Dravid (2011)

After missing out on a Test ton at Lord’s on debut, The Wall, Rahul Dravid, finally got his name on the Honours Board with an unbeaten 103 in 2011. After Kevin Pietersen’s double century, England posted 474/8. And India crumbled under pressure. But Dravid did not. He fought on, scoring an unbeaten 103 as India were bowled out for 286. India suffered a 196-run defeat.

Ajinkya Rahane (2014)

In India’s only 2nd victory at the Lord’s, Ajinkya Rahane played a crucial role. His 103 in 2014 helped India score 295 under overcast conditions. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma bagging a six-wicket and seven-wicket haul, respectively, India beat England by 95 runs. But had Rahane not scored the century, India would have lost the match.

KL Rahul (2021)

KL Rahul joined the Elite Club in the first innings in 2021 with a polish 129. His elegant strokeplay laid the foundation for India’s victory, making him only the third Indian opener, who scored a century in Lord’s.