On June 22, 1996, Sourav Ganguly (131) became only the third batter to score a Test hundred on debut at Lord's, while Rahul Dravid fell five short of a debut century with 95. The pair added 94 for the fifth wicket — the first chapter in a partnership that would underpin Indian cricket for the next 15 years.
India's selection had been criticised for ignoring Ganguly (last picked in 1992) and Dravid (uncapped). Coach Sandeep Patil and captain Azharuddin pushed for both. Lord's was their second match together — Ganguly had played briefly in 1992 but was officially making his Test debut here.
India had lost the first Test at Edgbaston by 8 wickets. Captain Mohammad Azharuddin's struggles in England — a country where he had had a disastrous 1990 tour — meant the team needed reinforcements. Ganguly was a 23-year-old Bengal left-hander; Dravid a 23-year-old Karnataka right-hander. Both had been on the fringes for years. On debut at Lord's, Ganguly came in at No. 3 after Vikram Rathour fell early. He played beautifully through the off side, hitting 20 fours in a 301-ball innings of 131. Dravid arrived at No. 7, watching Ganguly compile his hundred from the other end, and then took up the chase. Their fifth-wicket stand of 94 took India past 400. Dravid was eventually caught for 95 attempting to drive Chris Lewis. India 429 in reply to England's 344. The match was drawn but the future was clear.
India lose Vikram Rathour early; Ganguly walks in at 25/1
Ganguly cover-drives his way through to fifty in 95 balls
Reaches hundred off 230 balls — third batter ever to score on debut at Lord's
Dravid at No. 7 — patient, classical defence
Ganguly-Dravid 94 for the fifth wicket
Dravid out for 95, attempting to drive Lewis
India 429 — match drawn
June 22, 1996
Day 3 — Ganguly reaches 131 on debut at Lord's; Dravid 95.
Match drawn
Series eventually 1-0 to England.
Trent Bridge Test
Ganguly 136 in his second Test; back-to-back debuts hundreds.
“I had no fear. I think that was the most important thing — I just played the way I always played.”
“Sourav was making history at one end. I just tried to bat properly and not lose my wicket.”
Ganguly followed up with 136 in the next Test at Trent Bridge — back-to-back debuts hundreds. Dravid established himself as the No. 3 of Indian cricket within a year. Both went on to captain India; together they redefined Indian batting overseas through the 2000s.
Two debuts that quietly changed Indian cricket forever. Ganguly went on to captain India to a new era; Dravid became the most respected technician of his generation.
The Lord's debut is one of Indian cricket's most cherished anniversaries. Ganguly's name went on the Lord's honours board on debut, an exclusive list. Dravid's 95 — still cited as one of the great debut innings denied a hundred — became part of his legend of self-effacement.
Yorkshire v Essex
1932-06-16
On 15-16 June 1932 Herbert Sutcliffe (313) and Percy Holmes (224*) put on 555 for the first wicket against Essex at Leyton, breaking the world first-class record for any wicket and adding a layer of folklore — including a scoreboard that read 554 for several minutes and a hastily reversed declaration — that has clung to the partnership ever since.
Australia v England
1933-02-14
With the fate of the Bodyline series in the balance and England 216 for 6 chasing 340, Eddie Paynter checked himself out of a Brisbane hospital where he was being treated for acute tonsillitis, taxied to the Gabba in pyjamas and a dressing gown, and batted for nearly four hours to score 83. England drew level on first innings, won the Test by six wickets and the series 4-1.
Australia
1934-09-25
Days after the 1934 Oval Test, Bradman fell seriously ill with appendicitis that progressed to peritonitis. With antibiotics not yet available, he was given little chance of survival; his wife Jessie left Adelaide on a sea voyage to England prepared for the worst. He recovered after weeks of intensive nursing in a London nursing home and returned to first-class cricket the following Australian summer.