4 Best Test Debut Hundreds by Indian Batsmen

#2 Sourav Ganguly

Ganguly - Elegance personified

Ganguly made his debut against England at Lord’s in 1996. It was the second Test of the series. England had won the first Test at Birmingham. An injury to Sunil Joshi in the first Test paved the way for Ganguly in the second Test. England batted first in the Lord’s Test and Ganguly made his presence felt by claiming the important wickets of Naseer Hussain and Graham Hick with the ball.

When India batted, Ganguly came in at the fall of the first wicket and scored a brilliant 131 with the help of 20 fours. Ganguly was imperious through the off-side. Ganguly impressed everyone with his cover drives and pull shots. His free-flowing strokes on the off side left the England bowlers stunned. Ganguly made batting look smooth and easy.

A legend for India was born on that day. Before the day was out, India found another legend in Rahul Dravid who was also making his debut in that Lord’s Test match. Unfortunately for Dravid, he got out for 95.

Coming back to Ganguly, he went to score a hundred in his second Test too at Nottingham. Ganguly scored 136 runs with the help of 17 fours and 2 sixes. Both the second and third Tests of the series ended in a draw. England won the series 1-0.

Ganguly played his third Test against Australia at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi. The Indian fans expected Ganguly to equal Azharuddin’s record of 3 hundred in the first 3 matches. Unfortunately, Ganguly got out for 66.