In the long saga of India vs England Tests, some batting masterclasses have slipped under the radar — it’s time they got their due
June 20 marks the beginning of India's latest Test tour in England. New skipper Shubman Gill leads a team that appears different, feels lighter, and bears the burden of an unfinished legacy. With stalwarts like Kohli, Rohit, and Ashwin stepping away from the format, India's bench strength is under scrutiny.
As the discussion intensifies, it's easy to remember the grand centuries that shaped iconic victories — but what about the knocks that quietly stood tall yet didn't bask in glory?
Let's revisit some overlooked gems that deserve far more applause than they received.
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In just his third Test, Vinod Kambli achieved something extraordinary — a double century on home soil. His 224 runs off 411 deliveries against England in Mumbai were filled with strokes, composure, and sheer willpower. At just 21, he entered a challenging situation and built a mountain.
India posted 591, leaving the visitors buried beneath it. England responded with 347 and 229 but never truly recovered. India won by an innings and 15 runs.
Kambli's brilliance, however, was overshadowed by Graeme Hick's gritty 178, who took home the Player of the Match award. A stunning double century faded into the background.
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When India toured England in 1990, Mohammad Azharuddin delivered a masterclass in strokeplay. At Manchester, in the second Test, he scored a graceful 179 from 243 balls. While England had already amassed a mammoth 519, Azhar fought back with flair, crafting an innings full of timing and touch.
Despite his efforts, the match ended in a draw, primarily remembered for a young Sachin Tendulkar's maiden Test century (119).
However, Azhar's knock, adorned with 21 fours and a six, had set the tone. It was a captain's innings that steadied India, yet somehow didn't quite make it to the front page.
It was the third Test at Nottingham of the 1996 England tour. Sourav Ganguly stole the headlines with his all-round brilliance, but Sachin Tendulkar's majestic 177 was the anchor that held India together.
He faced 360 balls, found the boundary 26 times, and batted with discipline and poise. India concluded with 521 in the first innings, and England responded with 564.
The match was drawn, but this was vintage Tendulkar in full swing — calm, calculated, and classy. Yet, it became overshadowed by Ganguly's Player of the Match glow.
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Dilip Vengsarkar understood how to bat at Lord's. His 157 in the second innings of the 1982 Test came while following on. India were rattled for 128 in the first innings. The team required something special — and Vengsarkar obliged.
He faced 264 balls, matched up against Bob Willis and Ian Botham, and provided India with a competitive score of 369. However, England chased down 65 in the fourth innings, winning by 7 wickets.
The match was remembered for Kapil Dev's all-round heroics, while Vengsarkar's valiant knock became a mere footnote.
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In the first innings of the 2014 Nottingham Test, Murali Vijay played a key role for India. He batted for over six hours, scoring 146 off 361 balls — a rare display of grit and patience. He faced James Anderson, withstood bouncers, and made England toil.
India posted 457 runs, while England replied with 496. The match ended in a high-scoring draw.
Anderson was awarded Player of the Match for his 4 wickets and a valuable 81. Vijay's innings, which set up the match and demonstrated tremendous application in seaming conditions, faded into the background.
