Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, often called the ‘Mecca of Cricket’, has seen some of the greatest batting performances in the sport’s history. For Indian batters, scoring a Test hundred at Lord’s is a career-defining moment, etching their names in cricket folklore. From Vinoo Mankad’s historic ton in 1952 to KL Rahul’s elegant century in 2021, only a select few have managed this feat.
Here is a detailed look at the 10 Indian batters who have registered Test hundreds at Lord’s, their innings impact, and how each knock shaped Indian cricket’s journey in England.
1. Vinoo Mankad (1952)
Vinoo Mankad became the first Indian to score a Test century at Lord’s. Opening the innings, he scored a magnificent 184 runs, showcasing solid defence and elegant drives against the likes of Alec Bedser.
| Year | Runs | Balls Faced | Opposition | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | 184 | 378 | England | Lost by 8 wickets |
His innings remains the highest score by an Indian at Lord’s to date.
2. Dilip Vengsarkar (1979, 1982, 1986)
Dilip Vengsarkar earned the nickname ‘Lord of Lord’s’ after scoring three consecutive centuries at the venue, an achievement unmatched by any overseas player.
- 103 in 1979*: Helped India save the match.
- 157 in 1982: Displayed dominant drives and flicks.
- 126 in 1986*: Instrumental in India’s historic win, their first at Lord’s.
| Year | Runs | Balls Faced | Opposition | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 103* | 295 | England | Draw |
| 1982 | 157 | 264 | England | Lost |
| 1986 | 126* | 213 | England | Won by 5 wickets |
3. Gundappa Viswanath (1979)
In the same Test where Vengsarkar scored his maiden ton, Viswanath scored 113 runs, showcasing his trademark wristwork against English pacers. His innings was crucial in helping India draw the match despite a follow-on.
| Year | Runs | Balls Faced | Opposition | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 113 | 337 | England | Draw |
4. Mohammad Azharuddin (1990)
Azharuddin’s 121 off just 111 balls in 1990 was one of the fastest centuries by an Indian at Lord’s. Though India lost due to Gooch’s 333, Azhar’s stylish strokeplay remains etched in memories.
| Year | Runs | Balls Faced | Opposition | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 121 | 111 | England | Lost by 247 runs |
5. Sourav Ganguly (1996)
Sourav Ganguly announced his arrival in Test cricket with a brilliant 131 on debut at Lord’s, cementing his place as India’s future captain. His innings was marked by graceful cover drives and fearless temperament.
| Year | Runs | Balls Faced | Opposition | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 131 | 301 | England | Draw |
6. Rahul Dravid (2011)
Rahul Dravid scored an unbeaten 103 in 2011*, displaying his classical technique. Though India lost the match due to Kevin Pietersen’s double ton, Dravid’s century was among his last overseas hundreds before retirement.
| Year | Runs | Balls Faced | Opposition | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 103* | 220 | England | Lost by 196 runs |
7. Ajit Agarkar (2002)
In a surprising knock, Ajit Agarkar, known more for his bowling, scored 109 in 2002*, fighting alone as India fell short by 170 runs. His innings showcased resilience, becoming the only Indian bowler to score a Lord’s century.
| Year | Runs | Balls Faced | Opposition | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 109* | 190 | England | Lost by 170 runs |
8. Ajinkya Rahane (2014)
Ajinkya Rahane’s 103 in 2014 under swinging conditions against James Anderson and Stuart Broad was widely praised as one of India’s finest overseas knocks, setting up a memorable win.
| Year | Runs | Balls Faced | Opposition | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 103 | 154 | England | Won by 95 runs |
9. KL Rahul (2021)
In 2021, KL Rahul scored an elegant 129 runs opening the innings. His calm approach and assured defence laid the foundation for India’s victory, making him only the tenth Indian to score a Test hundred at Lord’s.
| Year | Runs | Balls Faced | Opposition | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 129 | 250 | England | Won by 151 runs |
10. Ravi Shastri (1990)
Often forgotten, Ravi Shastri scored 100 in the same Test as Azharuddin in 1990, showcasing resilience as India chased England’s mammoth total.
| Year | Runs | Balls Faced | Opposition | Match Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 100 | 230 | England | Lost by 247 runs |
Key Takeaways: Lord’s Hundreds By Indians
- Most Hundreds: Dilip Vengsarkar (3)
- Fastest Hundred: Mohammad Azharuddin (121 off 111 balls)
- On Debut: Sourav Ganguly (131)
- First Indian Hundred: Vinoo Mankad (1952)
Why Is A Lord’s Century Special?
- Historic prestige: Considered cricket’s most iconic venue.
- Honours Board: Centurions’ names are permanently inscribed, immortalising them.
- Atmospheric challenge: Swinging conditions and English crowd pressure test mental toughness.
The Psychological Edge
Scoring a Lord’s hundred is a testament to adaptability and mental strength. As cricket evolves with T20 domination, these traditional milestones continue to define player legacies.
Conclusion
From Mankad’s foundation in 1952 to KL Rahul’s modern elegance in 2021, each Indian batter who reached three figures at Lord’s carved a special place in cricket history. For upcoming talents like Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, this remains a dream milestone that can transform their careers into legends.
Disclaimer: This news content is for informational reporting purposes only. Readers are advised to follow official BCCI and ICC websites for verified match records, schedules, and player statistics.
