Indian batters to score century at Old Trafford in Test cricket

The list of Indian batters to have scored a century at Old Trafford in Test cricket will likely swell, should all go well, for the visiting side in what's to come in the Test match that's up ahead and waiting to attract our attention. Already, 5 Test tons have been hit by the Indian cricketers in the third Test, which at Birmingham's Edgbaston still didn't aid India's cause; the hosts overcoming India's mighty fine assault as seen in that contest. But having said that, one of the most important reasons for India to do exceedingly well in what lies ahead in Manchester is the very fact that at Lord's, Ben Stokes England's morale and leading from the front, helped defeat India.

Now, in what's to come - one is surely going to hope for a strong and valiant tour-de-force act. But for that to happen, Gill's India will have to mount a fighting comeback, isn't it? But having said the above, here's a list of Indian batters to have scored a century at Old Trafford in Test cricket:

Vijay Merchant's class act in 1936

Audacious, outstanding and full of class, Vijay Merchant's glorious knock in England in 1936 was - and - always stand as one of the most important additions to the list of Indian batters to have scored a century at Old Trafford in Test cricket.

As a matter of fact, the 1936 Manchester-bound Test match against England will always, and must duly, be remembered for two mighty reasons -

1) For starters, it marked not one but two Indians who struck for the first time ever a Test century against England on this particular venue.

2) Both the batters who struck the Test century at Old Trafford, such an illustrious ground happened to be India's Test openers of that time. Their names? Mr. Vijay Merchant who made 114 and his batting opening partner, Syed Mushtaq Ali, who scored 112.

Syed Mushtaq Ali's vintage hundred in 1936

The very contest in which both Syed Mushtaq Ali scored a vintage and timely Test hundred saw his batting partner at the other end, Sir Vijay Merchant (as mentioned above), notching up a vital ton for their visiting side. But what was the significance? 

After England, the hosts, in that very notable 1936 Test, compiled a whopping 571-run score, which was in reply to India's first-inning score of 203, just 203, the visiting side had to fightback.

And therefore, something had to happen for the Indians. Thus arose, the two incredible stalwarts of that era, batters about whom the fans belonging to this contemporary era must know a touch more about.

In India's second inning against England, the team's total reached 390. But how was that? How did such a fine turnaround happen? Well, thanks to the mighty, fine and impressive opening run stand of 203! Make no mistake - the team was facing bowlers of the class and competence of leg-break specialist Walter Robins (64 wickets from 19 Tests), a man widely respected even today as a dynamic all rounder of that era. And then, the great Wally Hammond himself - the Dover-born charismatic legend of the game, who besides scoring 7,249 Test runs, claimed 83 Test wickets.

Sir Sunny oozing class in 1974

There were always batters because of whose glorious capabilities and poise the Indian team punched above its weight even well before dominating the sport in the 2000s and the subsequent years thereafter. And a humungous name to that list, one among Indian batters to have scored a century at Old Trafford in Test cricket is a colossus called Sir Sunny Gavaskar who made 101. That was, now if you think about it, over 5 decades back in the day.

The Little Master Tendulkar creaming bowlers in 1990

The greatest name, arguably speaking, in the list of Indian batters to have scored a century at Old Trafford in Test cricket, is none other than the "Little Maestro" Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

As a matter of factly, the right handed batting demi-god from India, scored one of his most magnificent tons here at Old Trafford 35 years ago, a time where he was still very much a youngster and that too, operating at a time where Indian cricket knew no Dravid, Laxman or Ganguly.

Scoring 187 runs, on the whole from that game, Tendulkar helped his Indian team manage a respectable draw.

Well, what can one say- class is class, at the end of the day, right?

FAQs

Who among Indian batters has scored the most recent Test century at Old Trafford?

In the year 1990, Sachin Tendulkar had scored an unbeaten 119 at the ground. That's 35 years ago where it stands at present.

In which year was the first-ever Test century scored at Old Trafford?

That was courtesy Sir Syed Mushtaq Ali in 1936 when he scored a 112.