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In cricket, those who score centuries tend to be immortalized. Their names are etched in headlines, record books, and memories. The ones who absorb the pressure early on, see off the new ball, or play the gritty 20 or 30 that sets the foundation — they often become footnotes, if they’re remembered at all.
Way back in 2002, the Test series between India were trailing 1-0 when the teams arrived at Leeds for the third match — the very venue which is set to host the opening game between Shubman Gill’s men and Ben Stokes’ side this time around. India won the toss, and then-captain Sourav Ganguly made a bold decision to bat first on a moisture-laced pitch under overcast skies.
The conditions were treacherous — the ball was seaming, bouncing awkwardly, and keeping the batters on their toes. India had already lost their star opener, Virender Sehwag, early. But it was Sanjay Bangar who stood tall amid the storm. He soaked up 236 deliveries for a gritty 68 on a slow outfield — not the flashiest innings, but one that laid the perfect foundation.
What followed was a masterclass from the rest of India’s famed middle order: Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Ganguly — all scored centuries. It was a statement win for India in tough English conditions. Who says India can’t win Test matches when the odds are stacked against them? They can — and they have, time and again.
The fundamental key to winning in England is batting — just as important as bowling is, if not more. While bowlers often thrive in English conditions, it’s the batters who must weather the storm. In that 2002 Leeds Test, Bangar became the face of that challenge against the new ball.
Standing firm against a formidable English pace attack featuring towering six-footers like Andrew Caddick, Alex Tudor, Matthew Hoggard, and Andrew Flintoff, Bangar’s resistance set the tone. England had everything working in their favor — the conditions, the seam movement, the firepower — yet it was India’s grit with the bat that turned the tide.
Recalling the historic win at Leeds, Bangar spoke about the team’s mindset. “The message from the team management was simple — bat as long as you can,” Bangar recalled. “There was no discussion about the pitch in the dressing room. The entire focus was on scoring as many runs as possible and occupying the crease to blunt the England pace attack.”
While doing so, Bangar took a few blows to the body — a testament to the toughness required to survive in those conditions. But what stood out was the collective mindset: don’t get out. On that day, if England wanted to dismiss an Indian batter, they needed more than just skill — they needed extraordinary luck. The resilience shown by the Indian lineup made it one of those rare occasions where mental fortitude matched technical excellence.
Perhaps, that same kind of resilience is exactly what the current Indian team will need when they take on England in the upcoming five-Test series. Conditions will be challenging, the opposition relentless — but if there’s one lesson from that 2002 Leeds Test, it’s this sheer determination that can script victories. with the right mindset.
Indeed