As India took the lead in the ongoing Test series with England, the hosts will be desperate to pull off everything in the world to keep the series alive and will be lunging for a victory to draw the series level.
However, going by the history at Leeds, India left England humiliated at the same venue under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly almost twenty years back. The match happened in 2002 that was just beginning to witness India’s rise in the international circuit.
Batting first, India managed to pile up 628 runs with three monumental centuries from the middle-order that came in the wake of Sanjay Bangar’s fine 68 at the top. Despite a promising start for Vaughan and Robert Key, Indian bowlers soon took over the reins and left England reeling at 273 in the first innings.
Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh shared six between them to derail the English hopes in the first innings. Asked to follow on, England couldn’t perform anything heroic in the second innings either as Anil Kumble ran roughshod over the English batters, bundling them out for a paltry 309 with John Crawley being the standout.
Three Indian players who scored centuries when India last played England at Leeds
The last time India crossed swords with England at Leeds, they pulled off an exemplary performance with the bat that laid the foundation for the bowlers to script the remarkable victory.
Despite Sehwag getting out early, Bangar and Rahul Dravid came together to stitch a significant stand for the second wicket. Dravid joined forces with Tendulkar after the removal of Bangar and played some scintillating strokes.
He racked up 148 runs from 307 balls before being dismissed by Ashley Giles as Alec Stewart stumped him a tad bit short of the crease. That brought out Sourav Ganguly in the middle, and one of the most iconic opening duos of ODI cricket continued with their blistering carnage.
As Sachin and Ganguly came together for an incredible stand of 251 runs, Sourav’s stumps were finally rattled by Alex Tudor, to bring down the curtain on exemplifying 128 from 167 balls with 14 fours and 3 sixes.
Once Ganguly was gone, Tendulkar didn’t last long enough, as he was removed by Andy Caddick with a peach of a delivery. He garnered 193 runs from 330 balls with 19 fours and 3 sixes.
With such impressive heritage at Leeds, India will be eyeing an unassailable lead with another victory that will shape the fortunes of the World Test Championship in the forthcoming days. India begins their third Test on 25th August.
