Five Best Test Innings by Indian Batsmen in England

#5 Dilip Vengsarkar 102 at Headingley 1986

Vengsarkar batted imperiously with the tail to give India the lead they need to defeat England

In a summer dominated by Dilip Vengsarkar, one of the best innings played by the maestro occurred in the second test of the test series against England.

A team batting effort (including a solid 61 by Vengsarkar) had taken India to 272 on a relatively tricky pitch at Headingley. India’s pacers followed that up with some superb bowling as a mediocre English batting lineup was rattled for 102.

But England bounced back as their pacers reduced India to 9/2 with Sunil Gavaskar back in the pavilion. In such a situation, Vengsarkar walked out to play a brilliant innings. He was at his imperious best as he flicked, pulled and drove India into a substantial lead.

The ball was swinging but the Mumbai batsman made it seem like he was playing on Shivaji Park. Wickets crumbled around him as India fell to 137/7. Nonetheless, Vengsarkar batted imperiously with the tail to give India the lead they need to defeat England. This inning is only eclipsed by a few legendary innings including one by Vengsarkar himself.