6 makeshift Indian openers with Test hundreds

#5 Nayan Mongia

Nayan Mongia

The 90s saw Nayan Mongia being sent in to open time and again, to try and take the shine off the new ball. Mongia opened in 15 of the 44 Tests he played. He did not have a great record with 655 runs at an average of 27.29.

However, in the one-off Test against Australia at Delhi played from 10 October 1996, the move paid off brilliantly.

After the spinners, led by Anil Kumble (4 for 63), restricted Australia to 182, Mongia responded with a marathon 152 that blunted the Aussie attack. His knock came off 366 balls with 18 fours and one six, and lasted close to 500 minutes. He was eventually bowled by Paul Reiffel.

Apart from Mongia, Sourav Ganguly contributed 66 as India were all out for 361. Kumble again starred with 5 for 67 in the second innings as Australia were restricted to 234 all out. India chased down the target of 56 to win by seven wickets.