Captain’s Knocks: 6 Times Indian Test Captains Scored Centuries in England
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India’s upcoming Test series in England, beginning June 20, is more than just another overseas tour-it’s the start of a new era. With Shubman Gill stepping in as captain for the first time in Test cricket, Team India will take the field without veterans Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin. It’s a bold, youthful squad facing a daunting challenge against an English side known for its supreme home form in the five-day format.
England: The Toughest Frontier
India’s history in England has been a mix of grit, glory, and grind. Since their first tour in 1932, India has played numerous Tests on English soil but has managed to win only three Test series -in 1971, 1986, and the most recent in 2007. Overall, India has won just nine Tests in England, a statistic that underlines the magnitude of the task at hand.
As the countdown to the series begins, the spotlight is firmly on Gill. Leading a side in transition, he’s not just expected to inspire his team tactically, but also carry the baton forward with the bat.
When Captains Led with the Willow
Over the decades, Indian captains have tried to leave their mark in England, but scoring Test hundreds while leading the team remains a rare achievement. Only four Indian skippers have managed it, with six centuries in total. Out of those, only two knocks translated into Indian wins. The rest were gallant but ended in heartbreak or hard-fought draws.
Here’s a closer look at those iconic captain’s innings:
Tiger Pataudi – 148 at Leeds (1967)
Pataudi’s valiant 148 came in the second innings as India fought to stay alive. Although his counterattack forced England to bat again, it couldn’t prevent a six-wicket defeat.
Mohammad Azharuddin - 121 at Lord’s (1990)
With India reeling after a mammoth English total, Azhar unleashed a flurry of strokes to hit a sensational 121. The effort helped India avoid the follow-on but wasn’t enough to change the result-India lost by a whopping 247 runs.
Mohammad Azharuddin - 179 at Manchester (1990)
Azhar returned in style later that same series with a majestic 179. This time, his brilliance helped India stay afloat and salvage a draw.
Sourav Ganguly – 128 at Leeds (2002)
In one of India’s most dominant overseas victories, Ganguly’s stylish 128 was part of a batting masterclass. The visitors won by an innings and 46 runs-a rare and memorable high in English conditions.
Virat Kohli – 149 at Birmingham (2018)
In one of the fiercest Test battles in recent times, Kohli stood tall with a fighting 149 in the first innings. Despite his heroics, India lost by 31 runs in a thriller.
Virat Kohli – 103 at Nottingham (2018)
Kohli made amends in the very next match with another hundred. His 103 powered India to a commanding win by 203 runs—the team’s most comprehensive victory in England in over a decade.
Can Gill Join This Elite Club?
Now it’s Shubman Gill’s turn. Can he rise to the occasion and script his own tale of leadership and resilience? Will he become the next Indian captain to score a Test century in England—and better still, lead India to a rare series triumph?
With five matches lined up, the series promises to test character, patience, and skill. It’s not just a battle between two teams—it’s a battle against history. And perhaps, a new star is ready to shine.
England: The Toughest Frontier
India’s history in England has been a mix of grit, glory, and grind. Since their first tour in 1932, India has played numerous Tests on English soil but has managed to win only three Test series -in 1971, 1986, and the most recent in 2007. Overall, India has won just nine Tests in England, a statistic that underlines the magnitude of the task at hand.
As the countdown to the series begins, the spotlight is firmly on Gill. Leading a side in transition, he’s not just expected to inspire his team tactically, but also carry the baton forward with the bat.
When Captains Led with the Willow
Over the decades, Indian captains have tried to leave their mark in England, but scoring Test hundreds while leading the team remains a rare achievement. Only four Indian skippers have managed it, with six centuries in total. Out of those, only two knocks translated into Indian wins. The rest were gallant but ended in heartbreak or hard-fought draws.
Here’s a closer look at those iconic captain’s innings:
Tiger Pataudi – 148 at Leeds (1967)
Pataudi’s valiant 148 came in the second innings as India fought to stay alive. Although his counterattack forced England to bat again, it couldn’t prevent a six-wicket defeat.
Mohammad Azharuddin - 121 at Lord’s (1990)
With India reeling after a mammoth English total, Azhar unleashed a flurry of strokes to hit a sensational 121. The effort helped India avoid the follow-on but wasn’t enough to change the result-India lost by a whopping 247 runs.
Mohammad Azharuddin - 179 at Manchester (1990)
Azhar returned in style later that same series with a majestic 179. This time, his brilliance helped India stay afloat and salvage a draw.
Sourav Ganguly – 128 at Leeds (2002)
In one of India’s most dominant overseas victories, Ganguly’s stylish 128 was part of a batting masterclass. The visitors won by an innings and 46 runs-a rare and memorable high in English conditions.
Virat Kohli – 149 at Birmingham (2018)
In one of the fiercest Test battles in recent times, Kohli stood tall with a fighting 149 in the first innings. Despite his heroics, India lost by 31 runs in a thriller.
Virat Kohli – 103 at Nottingham (2018)
Kohli made amends in the very next match with another hundred. His 103 powered India to a commanding win by 203 runs—the team’s most comprehensive victory in England in over a decade.
Can Gill Join This Elite Club?
Now it’s Shubman Gill’s turn. Can he rise to the occasion and script his own tale of leadership and resilience? Will he become the next Indian captain to score a Test century in England—and better still, lead India to a rare series triumph?
With five matches lined up, the series promises to test character, patience, and skill. It’s not just a battle between two teams—it’s a battle against history. And perhaps, a new star is ready to shine.
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