The Lord’s Test of 2002 wasn’t just about England’s dominance—it was also the day Ajit Agarkar, India’s pace bowler, silenced doubters with a stunning century at the Home of Cricket
When the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 kicks off, India’s tour of England will bring back a treasure chest of memories. One unforgettable gem is a moment few saw coming: Ajit Agarkar’s courageous 109* at Lord’s in 2002.
Yes, a pacer from Mumbai, now the chairman of the BCCI selection committee, better known for taking wickets—has etched his name into the Lord’s Honours Board not with the ball but with the bat.
On a pitch where India’s top order faced challenges and the match seemed all but over, Agarkar rose to the occasion, not just for a few overs, but with a full-blooded hundred that no one could overlook.
India was on the back foot. England had declared twice—first with 487 on the board, then piling on 301/6 in their second innings. India were left chasing a mammoth 568 in the fourth innings of the match.
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Most believed the Test would conclude in a matter of hours. And when wickets began to tumble, that forecast seemed spot-on. From 140/4 to 170/6, India teetered. But Ajit Agarkar had other plans.
Walking in at No. 8 with little fanfare, Agarkar played like a man possessed. His timing was crisp, his placement was clever, and he refused to throw away his wicket even as partners came and went.
Credit: ESPN
Across 190 balls, he struck 19 boundaries, batting with a strike rate of 57.36—an aggressive, controlled, and utterly brave effort. He raced past his personal best, batted with the tail, and ended unbeaten on 109. It was his only century in international cricket and came at the sport’s most prestigious venue.
India’s second innings wasn’t merely about avoiding defeat but restoring pride. The match was virtually lost, but the visitors sought to avoid humiliation. Not a single Indian batter had scored a hundred in the game—not even Sehwag, Dravid, Tendulkar, or Ganguly.
Credit: India Today
However, Agarkar did. On Day 5, under pressure, against a confident English attack led by Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones, Andrew Flintoff, and Ashley Giles. The final Indian total of 397 was far from a victory, yet it spared them from an innings defeat and brought respect to the scorecard.
Beyond that century
Agarkar played 26 Tests for India and was better known for his ODI exploits, with 191 matches and 288 wickets. However, this knock at Lord’s proved that he had steel with the bat too. He wasn’t merely a support act; he was the headliner on that day.
Today, he continues to shape Indian cricket in a different capacity. Since 4 July 2023, Ajit Agarkar has been the chairman of the BCCI selection committee, overseeing the next generation of Indian cricketers. From standing tall at Lord’s with the bat to now sitting at the helm of national selection, Agarkar’s journey has come full circle.
As India gears up for another English summer, with fresh faces and new leadership in Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, stories like Agarkar’s serve as a reminder: Test cricket is about moments. Sometimes, it’s the unexpected heroes who leave the most lasting impression.
Ajit Agarkar did more than survive that day. He batted like a top-order professional and walked off to applause echoing around Lord’s. Not many bowlers can say that.
