Dilip Vengsarkar was one in every of the best batsmen of all time who represented India internationally. Born on at the present time in 1954, Vengsarkar burst upon the scene as a gifted teenager when he scored a breezy 110 for Bombay in opposition to the Rest of India in the Irani Trophy fixture at Nagpur in 1975. Noticing his immense potential, he was inducted into the nationwide aspect making his debut in opposition to New Zealand at Auckland, in 1976. Nicknamed as ‘Colonel’, he went to play 116 Tests, scoring 6,868 runs with 17 centuries and 35 half-centuries. He additionally performed in 129 ODIs, amassing 3,508 runs.
He additionally holds the file of being the first No. 1 batsman in the world, when the rankings system was launched in 1987. He led the charts as the No. 1 Test batsman in the world and had a mean of 64.46, larger than the likes of Clive Lloyd, Allan Border, Gordon Greenidge and Sunil Gavaskar amongst others. As the legendary batsman celebrates his sixty fifth birthday, right here’s a have a look at memorable innings in the longest format of the recreation.
In the second Test of Pakistan’s 1979-80 tour of India, the host’s first innings folded for 126 after conceding 273 runs in the first innings. India wanted 390 runs and a loss appeared imminent. However, Vengsarkar held fort even after wickets stored tumbling at the different finish and went to attain an unbeaten 146 runs, which helped India draw the match.
157 vs England – 1982
During India’s tour of England in 182, in the first Test at Lords, Vengsarkar’s 157 runs in the second innings stood out. However, it couldn’t save India from a defeat, costing them the sequence.
126 vs England – 1986
Vengsarkar’s swan tune at the mecca of cricket – the Lords continued. During the first Test of India’s tour of England. He got here to bat at quantity 4 and went to smash the English bowlers throughout the park. The Colonel went on to attain a sensational hundred. India went on to attain 341 runs and win the match by 5 wickets. He can also be the solely non-English batsman to attain three successive centuries at the venue.
166 vs Sri Lanka – 1987
The Colonel’s highest rating in Test cricket got here throughout the third Test of Sri Lanka’s 1986-87 Tour of India. Vengsarkar batted brilliantly to convey his aspect again on observe, as he went on to attain excellent 166 runs and information the residence aspect to submit 400 runs. India finally gained the match by an innings and 67 runs.
