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Sunday, December 22, 2024

Today In 1990, Mohammad Azharuddin Dazzled Lord's With His Wristy Strokeplay

July 28, 1990. India were facing off against England at Lord’s in the 1st Test. The hosts had just piled up 653/4 with Graham Gooch demolishing the Indian bowlers with an epic 333. The Indians responded in kind and their first target was to avoid the follow-on by making 454. 


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At 191/3, Mohammad Azharuddin strode out into the middle. The stage was set for him to dazzle the crowd with his wristy strokeplay. Already regarded as one of the most stylish players in the game’ history, Azhar threw the kitchen sink at the bowlers as he played proper shots and yet accelerated the scoring. Gooch did not know what field to set. 

What stood out was that he never looked in trouble and was picking the gaps at will. He also rotated the strike with some nice running which has always been a hallmark of his batting. The bowlers were beginning to droop as they realised that they were in for the long haul. 


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First the fifty and then the hundred. Azhar finally had his name on the honours board. But all good things have to come to and end and on the next playing day (after the rest day), Azhar perished for 121. His innings lasted 111 balls and contained 22 fours. Kapil Dev ensured we avoided the follow on but Gooch once again came to the party with 123 and we ended up losing the game by 247 runs. 

 India would eventually lose the series, but Azhar’s brilliance was a bright spot. Later on in the series, the then young talent called Sachin Tendulkar would score his first Test hundred and become India’s youngest centurion in the oldest format. But that is a tale for another day.  

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