- June 22, 2025
Scoring a Test hundred in England? That is what Indian batters aspire to. Now, scoring one in your first innings in England? That is taking it to another level. English conditions are not easy – grey clouds hanging in the sky, the ball moving sideways, and the pressure meter is at eleven. Very few Indians have entered this type of pressure cooker and left with a hundred in hand. So, in celebrating the beginning of his Test career, let’s look back at the five Indian batters who scored a statement hundred in their first Test innings in England.
Yashasvi’s First Swing at Glory – And He Nailed It
Yashasvi Jaiswal didn’t just debut in England. The stylish left-hander demonstrated a cavalier attitude at Headingley in June 2025, when he ran up a fluent 101 off 159 balls in his first Test innings in England. He played like someone who had spent a decade torturing English bowlers. Against a rampaging pace attack, he not only held the fort, but he also ran the show.
Jaiswal picked his moments: he drove when the ball made the offer, he soaked up pressure when it dictated the calm. The swing? The occasion? He recognized them as close friends. More than just a hundred, this felt like his proper introduction to the Test stage: “Hi, I’m Yashasvi. Get used to me—I’m not going anywhere.” Let’s just say, England’s going to remember this introduction for some time to come.
The Fab Four Before Him
Murali Vijay (2014 – Nottingham)
This one may not be as well-remembered as the others, but Vijay’s 146 was a true marathon of batting – 361 balls, 25 boundaries, and hours of control. It gave hope that classic Test batting is still alive.
Sourav Ganguly (1996 – Lord’s)
Any other debut would pale in comparison to Ganguly’s. The magic of his 131 at Lord’s not only won hearts but also birthed a legend. The sheer grace, timing, and fearlessness made it one of the best Indian batting efforts overseas.
Sandeep Patil (1982 – Manchester)
Patil’s unbeaten 129 was aggressive, bold, and unexpected. Batting against England in England, he took them on. And won.
Vijay Manjrekar (1952 – Leeds)
Old is gold. Manjrekar played out a pristine 133 in a time of unmerciful batting, when there were no helmets or body armour and courage was the currency of the day. What followed would provide a floor for generations to come.
More Than Just Numbers
What do these five have in common? Patience, composure, and personality. Each of these batters had their bearings in the toughest conditions sooner rather than later, which is not something you normally see. And as Jaiswal’s innings showed, the new-gen isn’t waiting to adapt; they are intent on dominating.
To score a century in England is an achievement, but to score a century on debut? That’s an achievement of a different class. Only the very elite can say they have done it, so these five Indian batters not only scored runs on debut but also put pressure on the bowling attacks of the opposition and showed intent. The players showed that they deserved to be at this level and were not concerned at any point about the conditions they were playing in. They always flaunted their professional attitude, abilities, courage, and right headspace from ball one.
Now, as we review India’s fresh new generation of fearless talent emerging, the big question is who will light up English wickets on debut? Will it be another aggressive left-handed batsman along the lines of Jaiswal, or a calm, methodical middle-order craftsman, or perhaps a surprise knowing wicket bat that will look to upset the rhythm? Whoever it is, one thing is for sure: England’s test won’t get easier. We cannot wait to see who will head to the next tour and make their mark.
For more, visit JeetBuzz News to read our quality Cricket Blog updates. Explore if you want to reminisce and enjoy all of your favourite cricket players and nostalgic match moments. To ensure that you never miss out, keep updated and join in the fun!
