India and England have been playing test cricket for a long time. They first played a test match in 1932 at Lord’s in London. Since then they have played 70 tests in England. England have won 38, India 10 and 22 have been drawn. India’s first test win and series win in England was in 1971.
Old Trafford in Manchester is a famous cricket ground that hosts many international matches every year. India and England have played 9 tests here. India has never won a test here, lost 4 and drawn 5.
Though India has not won at Old Trafford, some Indian batsmen have had good batting performances. 8 of them have scored test centuries here. Here are the top 5 highest individual scores by Indian batsmen at Old Trafford, Manchester in test cricket:
Top 5 Highest Scores by Indian Batsmen at Old Trafford Manchester
1. Mohammad Azharuddin – 179
In the 1990 Manchester test, Azharuddin scored a century in the first innings and Tendulkar in the second. England scored 519 in their first innings with 3 centurions. Azharuddin then scored 179 and India 432. The match was drawn.
2. Sandeep Patil – 129*
In 1982, Patil scored an unbeaten century in the Manchester test. England scored 425 in their first innings with Ian Botham scoring a century. Dilip Doshi took 6 wickets for India. In the second innings, Patil scored 129 not out and India 379. The match was drawn as the last day was washed out. Patil was Man of the Match for his century.
3. Sachin Tendulkar – 119*
Sachin Tendulkar also scored a test century at Old Trafford. In the 1990 second test, England scored 519 in their first innings with Graham Gooch, Mike Atherton and Robin Smith scoring centuries. India scored 432. In the second innings, England declared at 320 for 4, setting India a target of 408. Tendulkar who had scored a half century in the first innings then scored 119. India finished at 343 for 6 and Tendulkar helped the team draw the match. He was also Man of the Match.
4. Polly Umrigar – 118
Polly Umrigar scored 118 in a test match against England at Manchester in 1959. It was the 4th test of a 5 test series. England scored 490 in their first innings with Geoff Pullar and Mike Smith scoring centuries. India were bowled out for 208. In the second innings, England declared at 265 for 8, setting India a target of 548. Abbas Ali Baig (112) and Polly Umrigar (118) both scored centuries but India were bowled out for 376 and lost the match by 171 runs.
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5. Vijay Merchant – 114
Vijay Merchant scored a century here in 1936. During India’s tour of England that year, India played England in Manchester in the second test of a three-match series. India were bowled out for 203 in the first innings. England then made 571 with Wally Hammond scoring a century before declaring. In the second innings Vijay Merchant scored 114 and India were 390 for 5. Mushtaq Ali (112) also scored a century. The match was drawn.
