Five Best Test Innings by Indian Batsmen in England

#4 Vinoo Mankad 184 at Lord’s 1952

Mankad made a solid 72 which helped India put up a respectable 235

In the 1990s, Indian fans liked to complain that the team relied overly on one man: Sachin Tendulkar. Similarly, many fans have had similar complaints recently as Virat Kohli’s wicket is one that opposition bowlers cherish more than all other batsmen.

Yet, those fans should be directed to the 1950s when India was truly a one-man team, relying on the indomitable Vinoo Mankad.

No game epitomized this like India’s first match at the home of cricket (Lord’s) as an independent nation.

In the first innings, Mankad made a solid 72 which helped India put up a respectable 235. After that, Mankad bowled and bowled and the bowled some more eventually ending with five wickets in an incredible 73 overs as a brilliant England batting lineup compiled 537.

Yet, the most incredible part of Mankad’s performance came in India’s second innings as Mankad complied a brilliant 184 as he relentlessly attacked a brilliant English bowling attack. Alec Bedser and Fred Trueman were demolished all over the park.

In fact, by the time Mankad was out, he had made 184 of India’s 270. It was the type of renegade innings that defined Mankad’s outstanding career.

His knock is only usurped by three others because it came in a losing effort on a pitch where other batsmen (mainly English) were also successful.