3 best Test Knocks by Indians against England in England over the past 2 decades

#2 Sachin Tendulkar’s match-winning 193 at Headingley -2002

This was the 3rd Npower Test match between England and India played at the iconic Headingley Cricket Ground in 2002. India won the toss and to everyone’s surprise elected to bat first on a gloomy day at Leeds. On tough batting conditions, India lost Virender Sehwag early and was struggling at 1-15.

Sanjay Bangar and Rahul Dravid showed resilience and weathered the storm of English bowlers. Both the batsmen put up a partnership of 170 runs for the second wicket that put India’s position in the driving seat.

Sanjay Bangar was dismissed late in the day for a well made 68 of 236 balls of the bowling of Andrew Flintoff. However, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar carried the bat till stumps and India were in a great position to call the shots heading into Day 2.

Day 2 began with Rahul Dravid notching up another fighting century. He was eventually dismissed for 148 of the bowling of Ashley Giles. His knock of 148 set the tone for rest of the innings and this knock was appreciated by critics considering the tough match conditions in which he batted.

Sachin Tendulkar started his innings with his usual glorious cover drives and cut shots. He took on the likes of Andrew Caddick, Alex Tudor, and spinner Ashley Giles.

It was vintage little master as he smashed anything that was short and wide of the off stump. He brought up his century by clipping one through the leg side of the bowling of Ashley Giles. Post his century, the little master along with Skipper Sourav Ganguly pressed on the accelerator to drive home the advantage.

In gloomy dark conditions both the batsman threw caution to the wind and started smashing the England bowlers all over Headingley. Sachin Tendulkar danced down the ground and clobbered Andrew Caddick over deep midwicket for a six, still remains a memorable shot after years.

Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly plundered the English bowlers all over the park and put on a massive 249 runs partnership for the 4th wicket. Sachin carried his bat till stumps on Day 2.

On Day 3, Tendulkar started his innings with exquisite cover drives and cuts. But it was short-lived before he was trapped LBW off the bowling of Andrew Caddick for a stupendous knock of 193. His knock of 193, comprised of 19 boundaries and 3 Sixes.

Statistics show that he scored 73 runs through cuts and drives. Whereas 82 runs were scored through the leg side by hooks, pulls and leg glance.

India put up a massive score of 628 on board. In reply, England was bundled out for 273 in their 1st innings and 309 in the 2nd innings.

India won the game by innings and 46 runs.