Old Trafford in Manchester holds a challenging history for the Indian cricket team, being one of only two Test venues where they have played nine matches without a single victory. Amidst this backdrop, a remarkable feat stands out: a then 17-year-old Sachin Tendulkar hit a century here in 1990, a milestone that remains the last Test hundred by an Indian batter at this historic ground.
India’s Struggles at Old Trafford
India’s record at Old Trafford spans over 90 years and nine Test attempts, but success has remained elusive. The team has faced defeat four times at the venue, including two instances of losing by margins exceeding 100 runs and two crushing innings defeats.
The last visit in 2014 under MS Dhoni was particularly grim, seeing India suffer an ignominious innings defeat. During that match, India equalled a then-record of six ducks in a single innings, highlighting the batting struggles faced at this English ground.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Teenage Masterclass
It was in 1990, during only his second Test in England, that a prodigious 17-year-old Sachin Tendulkar etched his name into the history books at Old Trafford. Facing a daunting target of 408 runs with just over a day’s play remaining, India found themselves in trouble at 109 for four when Tendulkar walked to the crease.
Defying the pressure, Tendulkar crafted his maiden international century, remaining unbeaten on 119 runs from 189 deliveries. His innings, adorned with 17 fours, spanned 225 minutes and played a crucial role in salvaging a draw for India, who finished on 343 for six wickets. This stoic knock earned him the Player of the Match award and showcased his exceptional talent and maturity far beyond his years.
Looking Back at Indian Centuries in Manchester
While Sachin Tendulkar holds the distinction of being the last Indian to score a Test century at Old Trafford, he wasn’t the first. Before his memorable innings in 1990, seven other Indian batters had reached the three-figure mark at the venue across previous matches.
Notable names include Vijay Merchant (1936), Syed Mushtaq Ali (1936), Polly Umrigar (1959), Abbas Ali Baig (1959), Sunil Gavaskar (1974), Sandeep Patil (1982), and Mohammed Azharuddin, who also scored a century in the same 1990 Test as Tendulkar.
- India is yet to win a Test match at Old Trafford across nine attempts.
- Sachin Tendulkar’s 119 not out in 1990 was his first international century.
- His century at Old Trafford remains the last by an Indian batter at the venue.
As India looks to future encounters at this venue, the challenge to break the winless streak and add another name to the list of Old Trafford centurions remains, hoping to emulate the composure and brilliance shown by a young Sachin Tendulkar over three decades ago.
