The Men in Blue will return to international cricket after a break of nearly three months and kickstart the 2023-24 season with the high-profile ICC World Test Championship (WTC) against Australia from June 7 to 11. It is noteworthy that Team India hasn't won an ICC trophy since ten years and will be keen to end its medal jinx. Most Indian players, except for the ones who featured in the final of IPL 2023, are already in England at the moment ramping up preparations for the one-off match against the Pat Cummins-led side, which finished at the top of the WTC 2021–23 cycle. (Pic: AFP/Getty Images)
Updated On: 2023-06-05 11:21 PM IST
Compiled by : Editor
On his second tour of England in 1946, Vijay Merchant showcased his class yet again. Merchant, who enjoyed his maiden outing at The Oval in 1936, scoring 100 runs in two innings. The stalwart slammed his second Test hundred at Oval, scoring a brilliant 128 off 315, laced with 12 fours.
Rahul Dravid's love affair with England started in the 1996 tour itself, however, the middle-order established himself as an immovable force during India's 2002 visit. With a massive first innings of 515, England looked set to pounce on Indian batters at The Oval in the final Test, but they were confronted by Dravid, who had been a thorn. This was Dravid's second Test double-hundred, which had as many as 28 fours spread all over the ground. The match ended in a draw, thanks to a herculean effort by the-then vice-captain.
India's historic first-ever-series win in England, came from this very venue in 1971, when Ajit Wadekar-led handed the host a four-wicket loss in the third and final Test. Flamboyant wicket-keeper Farokh Engineer steered India towards a memorable win in the second innings, scoring an unbeaten 59-ball 28. However, it was Engineeer's knock in the first innings for India that mattered. Engineer slammed 55 off 111 balls which had no boundaries, where, unlike his natural style, the keeper showed composure and held on-end up for others to score.
India's current all-format skipper shut his critics down with a timely hundred in England, where he demolished England's attack. After a disappointing first innings, Sharma showed grit and character the second time around, which helped India lay down a massive 368 run target. Sharma's only Test hundred away from home had 14 fours and one massive six, which came at The Oval, and was filled with cover drive and pull shots. India went on claim victory in the Test, only their second at the venue in last 40 years.
Sunil Gavaskar's mammoth 221-run knock against England at the Oval from 1979 in the fourth Test almost created history. Chasing 438 in the second innings, Gavaskar put India on the doorstep of victory on Day 5, where India missed out by just nine runs, and the Test ended in a draw.
