From Pataudi To Tendulkar: Indian Batters Who Have Scored Centuries At Headingley

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sachin Tendulkar [Source: @OmgSachin, @HeritageTimesIN/x.com]

The Indian team under the leadership of Shubman Gill will be touring England with the first Test to be played in Headingley, Leeds from 20th June 2025. The ground has been witness to some of the most memorable batting performances by Indian players over the decades.

India played their first Test at Headingley in 1952. So in a history of nearly 75 years, they have played seven matches, where there have been six batters who have breached the three-figure mark. 

Centuries By Indian Batters At Headingley

Manjrekar's Brave 133 (1952)

Vijay Manjrekar [Source: @CricketopiaCom/x.com]

The journey began with 21-year-old Vijay Manjrekar's courageous 133 in June 1952. When he came in to bat his side was in trouble at 3/42 and faced a formidable lineup of bowlers in Fred Trueman, Alec Bedser and Jim Laker.

His 222-run partnership with captain Vijay Hazare remains a record fourth-wicket stand between India and England, though India eventually lost by seven wickets.

Pataudi's Heroic (1967)

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's extraordinary 148 began the legacy of Indian batters at Headingley. The young Indian skipper displayed remarkable resilience, grit and courage after India were forced to follow on in this game.

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi in Headingley in 1967 [Source: @nimishdubey/x.com]

Carried by the Captain, India managed to reach a formidable total of 510 runs in the second innings. Although the match ended in a defeat for the team, his knock earned him the title of 'Nawab of Headingley'.

Vengsarkar's Masterclass (1986)

Dilip Vengsarkar's unbeaten 102 came on a testing green pitch. When India was struggling at 35/4 in their second innings, the Colonel came up with a knock of ultimate resilience.

Dilip Vengsarkar At Headingley in 1986 [Source: @DarrenMordecai/x.com]

The knock proved to be decisive for the visitors as it helped them set a target of 408 for England. The bowlers also put up their hands and Vengsarkar's century ended in a record-breaking winning cause by a margin of 279 runs.

The Golden Trio (2002)

2002 witnessed history being created at the Headingley when three legends of Indian cricket scored centuries in the same innings. This was the only instance when Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly scored centuries in the same innings of a Test. 

Rahul Dravid in Headingley, 2002 [Source: @mkarthi119/x.com]

Sourav Ganguly, the then Indian skipper decided to bat first on what looked like a challenging wicket. However, Rahul Dravid played a gritty knock of 148 runs to lay the foundation for a massive total.

Sachin Tendulkar (193) and Sourav Ganguly (128) consolidated on the platform set up by Dravid and guided India to a massive total of 628/8 in their first innings.

The Indian bowlers bowled brilliantly in this game and the visitors managed to win this match by an innings and 46 runs.

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