Agarkar's Test Ton At Lord's (Source: @ICC/x.com)
The India-England Dominance in Test cricket is always inspiring, and some of the matches have scripted some unforgettable memories over the years. One standout match was the first Test of England’s 2002 tour of India, where Ajit Agarkar’s century at Lord’s marked a thrilling milestone in his career and etched his name into cricket history.
Often criticized for his batting, Agarkar silenced his critics with a remarkable unbeaten ton at the ‘Home Of Cricket’.
Ajit Agarkar Enters The Lord’s Honour Board With A Magical 109*
A maiden Test century is always memorable, but scoring it at the iconic Lord’s takes it to another level. And when a bowler pulls off that feat, it becomes truly legendary. Former Indian bowler Ajit Agarkar named the iconic feat in 2002 when Team India faced England in the first Test at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
In the first Test of the England tour in 2022, Sourav Ganguly-led Team India faced England, and the clash started with woes, and England put on a massive total of 487 runs. In reply, tension piled on the visitors as they ended their first innings in 221. After that, England’s second innings dominance added more pressure.
Chasing the mammoth total in the second innings, Team India started off with some serious blows as the top batters failed to deliver when it mattered the most. After Wasim Jaffer and Rahul Dravid’s crucial half-centuries, VVS Laxman added valuable 74 runs.
As Team India was under pressure on the final day of the Test, bowler Ajit Agarkar stepped in, but this time as a saviour. Chipping in at a crucial time, Agarkar showed intent and smashed a thrilling half-century. While dominating England’s indomitable bowling attack, he converted his half-century to his maiden Test hundred.
Completing the ton, he remained unbeaten knock of 109 runs in 190 balls with 16 boundaries. Agarkar joined an elite list as the seventh Indian to notch a Test century at the legendary Lord’s, earning a rare spot on the iconic Honour Board, not as a bowler, but as a batter.
Heroics Fall Short As Team India Suffers A Horrific Defeat
Even as Agarkar puts up a valiant fight on the final day of the Test on July 29, his efforts fall short, and England seals a commanding victory over India. Chasing 487 runs in the first innings, Ganguly and Co. fell short. Apathy from Sehwag’s 84 and Dravid’s 46, no other batter made an impact, and the woes continued in the second innings when England put on 301 runs on board, depending on Michael Vaughan and John Crawley’s tons.
Things got worse when Tendulkar was out for 12, and then captain Sourav Ganguly also went out without scoring. During the collapse, Agarkar and Laxman provided a small bit of hope with an important partnership. However, after Laxman got out, the team fell apart, allowing England to secure a strong 170-run victory.
