OTD – Sourav Ganguly played a knock of 131 on his Test debut in 1996

It was the third day of the 2nd Test of the three-match series between England and India at the iconic Lord’s on this day (June 22) when two of India’s all-time batting greats, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly were set to appear for batting in their debut Test of the respective illustrious international careers. 

India lost their first wicket very early in Vikram Rathour just at the team’s score of 25 runs. Then came the debutant Sourav Ganguly to bat at number 3 for India. he went on to stitch a crucial partnership of 64 runs for the third wicket with former legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar after Nayan Mongia was dismissed at the team’s score of just 59 runs. 

However, India lost two wickets in quick succession when Sachin Tendulkar’s dismissal at 123 runs was followed by skipper Mohammad Azharuddin’s wicket at the team’s score of 154 runs. But the then-debutant Ganguly stood strong at one end and ended up scoring an amazing century, scoring 131 runs, with 20 fours. 

Sourav Ganguly steadied India with support from fellow debutant Rahul Dravid

Getting the name on the honours board of the Cricket’s Mecca ‘Lord’s’ was and that too in the debut match only. Later in the Indian innings, Ganguly also got a big support from his teammate and fellow debutant in the same match, Rahul Dravid. Ganguly-Dravid duo stitched a crucial partnership of 94 runs for the 6th wicket. 

Dravid also scored 95 runs, with 6 fours, alongside Ganguly’s century; these knocks helped India to gain a lead of 85 runs over England at the end of the first innings. Furthermore, the match ended in a draw, with England’s Jack Russell getting awarded the ‘Player of the Match for his 124 and 38 in the first and second innings respectively. 

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