25 August,2021 09:00 AM IST | Mumbai | Rohan Koli
A collage of the heroes of the 2002 Leeds Test
Rahul Dravid celebrates his century at Leeds in 2002. PIC/AFP
Rahul Dravid, Team India's wall and Mr Dependable lived up to his reputation of bailing the team out of trouble by scoring a crucial 148 runs batting at No. 3 after the visitors lost opener Virender Sehwag (8) with just 15 on the board. Dravid, who scored 237 runs in the first two matches of the series, including one century and one half-century, took time to settle down; his first 50 coming off 153 balls. He, however, wasted no time and played some powerful strokes en route his next 50 runs which took just 67 balls. Dravid was awarded the Player of the Match for his innings that was laced with 23 fours.
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Sachin Tendulkar in full flow against England at Leeds. PIC/AFP
Little Master Sachin Tendulkar put up a massive 193 in the first innings to help India dominate England as the visitors posted a massive 628-8 declared in the first innings. Tendulkar, who came to bat at No. 4, put on a 150-run stand with Dravid for the third wicket before sharing a 249-run stand with skipper Sourav Ganguly for the fourth wicket. Tendulkar smashed 19 fours and three sixes before being dismissed seven runs short of his third double century.
Sourav Ganguly en route his 128 against England in 2002. PIC/AFP
Ganguly came in to bat on Day Two with India cruising at 335-3. The skipper played a crucial role to take the team to an even more comfortable position with a quickfire century. The southpaw smashed 128 runs off just 167 balls at a strike rate of 76.64. In this process, he also put on a 249-run stand with Tendulkar, then the highest partnership for the fourth wicket away from home.
Anil Kumble celebrates the wicket of England skipper Nasser Hussain at Leeds. PIC/GETTY IMAGES
Skipper Ganguly's decision to play two spinners - Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh - for the first time in the series worked in favour of the visitors. Leg-spinner Kumble picked three wickets in the first innings. However, he was a bit expensive, conceding 93 runs, as India bowled out England for 273 to enforce a follow on. Kumble made a strong comeback in the second innings, claiming 4-66 as the hosts were reduced to 309 in the second essay.
Sanjay Bangar is ecstatic after claiming the wicket of England's Mark Butcher at Leeds. PIC/AFP
All-rounder Sanjay Bangar was included in place of Wasim Jaffer and the right-handed batsman didn't disappoint. Opening the innings, Bangar scored a patient 68 off 236 balls after India lost Sehwag early. He added 170 runs for the second wicket with Dravid to put India in a commanding position. The right-arm medium pacer was impressive with the ball too, claiming two wickets in the second innings.
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