OPINION
Follow UsThe ongoing series between India and England is turning into a fascinating one. Having played out a draw at Trent Bridge, India went on to record a historic win at Lord’s but came crashing down at Headingley – a game they lost by an innings and 76 runs – after being bowled out for 78 in the first innings. The action shifts to Lord’s where once again, history is not on India’s side. They have won just once in 13 matches. Furthermore, England have won their last three Tests at this venue, which further gives them the edge.
Despite their poor show at The Oval, India have had some memorable matches here. Here’s a look at a few of them.
India’s only win (1971): After playing out two draws at Lord’s and Old Trafford, the action shifted to the third and final Test at The Oval. India had already lost two of their previous four Tests at this venue by huge margins and it looked to be heading in a similar direction after India conceded a 71-run first-innings lead. However, the Ajit Wadekar-led side bowled extremely well in the second essay with leg-spinner BS Chandrasekhar picking up 6 for 38 – the best bowling figures by an Indian at the venue – as the hosts folded for just 101.
Set 173 to win Wadekar led from the front with an unbeaten 45 and some useful contributions down the order from Dilip Sardesai (40) Gundappa Viswanath (33) and Farokh Engineer (28*) ensured India won their first-ever match and series on English soil. This also remains India’s only win at The Oval.
Over the line…Almost (1979): Chasing 438 to win, Sunil Gavaskar took it upon himself in the fourth Test at The Oval in 1979 to get India over the line. With India already 0-1 down, they were going for broke after England put themselves in a commanding position. When Chetan Chauhan and Gavaskar put on 213 for the first wicket, India had an outside chance.
But then a 153-run second-wicket stand further gave them the belief that they could pull off the impossible. Unfortunately for Gavaskar, he did not get much support from anyone after that and after he fell for 221, India managed to play out a draw. They were just nine runs away from pulling off an improbable win, finishing with 429 for 8.
Gavaskar's 221 still remains the highest score by an Indian at The Oval. Rahul Dravid came close in 2002 but was run-out for 217 as the four-match series ended 1-1.
A chance missed (1990): India were handed a thrashing in the first Test of the series in Leeds, but redeemed themselves to a certain extent in Manchester – a match fondly remembered for Sachin Tendulkar’s maiden Test ton – with a draw. India had a golden chance to draw the series at The Oval, after Ravi Shastri (187) and Kapil Dev (110) starred as India put on a massive 606 for 9 on the board. This was then India’s highest total at The Oval until they scored 664 in 2007.
India’s chances of drawing level further increased when they asked England to follow-on after restricting them to 340. However, England out on a much better show with the bat, with their top three scoring over 50 out of which David Gower top-scored with an unbeaten 157.
Kumble steals the show (2007): In a line-up consisting of some of the heavyweights in world cricket, including Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, it was Anil Kumble who managed to score the only Indian century in the series. Having won the second Test at Headingley, India were looking for only their second series win on English soil. They ensured that by posting heir highest total at The Oval – 664.
As many as six players scored over 50. Kumble remained unbeaten on 110 and that turned out to be his only Test ton.
India did not enforce the follow-on after bowling England out for 345. Instead, they set them 500 to win. England batted out 110 overs to save the Test with Kevin Pietersen scoring a ton.
