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3 Legends, 3 Centuries! The Last Time India Won A Test Match At Headingley

Anurag Dasgupta

IND vs ENG in Headingley 2002 [Source: @KKRiders/x.com] IND vs ENG in Headingley 2002 [Source: @KKRiders/x.com]

After months of buildup and tactical analysis, the India vs England series is upon us as the first Test in Headingley will commence on Friday, June 20. This will mark India's new journey in the WTC cycle as the team will be without two of their biggest match-winners Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

However, the team has a new captain in Shubman Gill and will aim to kick-start the series with an emphatic win. Headingley has always been a challenging ground for the Indian team as they have won 2 matches out of the 7 games played. Their last victory at this ground came in 2002 and in that Test match, three heroes stood tall for India.

The heroes of India's last Test win at Headingley

In England there is a saying - if you see clouds over you, just elect to bowl first. On Day 1 of the Headingley Test in 2002 between India and England, it was overcast as Sourav Ganguly, the India captain decided to make a bold call by electing to bat first.

Eyebrows were raised as experts criticized Ganguly for this decision, however, what transpired was one of the best batting displays by India on foreign soil. The side lost Virender Sehwag early but Sanjay Bangar and Rahul Dravid forged a brilliant 170-run partnership for the second wicket.

Once Bangar was dismissed, Sachin Tendulkar joined hands with Dravid as the duo took the game to a different level and notched up their respective centuries.

The party wasn't over as Ganguly joined the fun after Dravid's dismissal. The India captain played an aggressive knock and smashed a quick-fire 128 off 167 balls. Tendulkar was sent back for 194 as India posted 628/8 in their first innings.

England had no answer to India's bowling

England had no answer to India's bowling as the hosts got bundled out for just 273 in their first innings. The team had a better showing in the second innings as Nasser Hussain slammed a sensational century. However, that wasn't enough as the home team lost the match by an innings and 46 runs.