India last lost a Test in Leeds in 1967 but since then, they have drawn one Test and won two in 1986 and 2002.
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The Indian cricket team is on an absolute high after winning the Lord’s Test after seven years. The efforts of KL Rahul, the Indian bowling pace quartet, and the brilliant partnership at the end from Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah gave India one of the best wins in the modern era. India is heading into the third Test in Leeds having gone 0-1 up in the five-Test series. There are just three Tests remaining and they will be gunning for a win to take an unassailable lead in the series.
The fact that they are on the cusp of breaking their 14-year jinx in England is because of their brilliant record in Leeds. They have played a total of six Tests, losing three and winning two with one Test drawn. However, the last time India lost a Test in Leeds was way back in 1967. For 54 years, India has never lost at Leeds. After their six-wicket loss in 1967, these are the results of India’s Tests in Leeds.
In a rain-ruined match in Leeds in 1979, the third match was a damp squib. England chose to bat. They were reduced to 89/5 but Sir Ian Botham was in fine form. He hit a blazing 137 as India’s bowlers were taken to the sword. He hit 10 fours and five sixes and was given good support by Geoff Miller. The 87-run stand helped England reach 270 all out. Kapil Dev took three wickets while Mohinder Amarnath and Bishan Bedi took a couple of wickets. But, in the next two days, there was rain and the possibility of a result evaporated. Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar hit fifties as the match ended in a tame draw.
The 1986 Test series was historic for India. In Lord’s, the Indian cricket team secured a historic win for the first time thanks to Dilip Vengsarkar and Kapil Dev. With a historic win at Lord’s, India was on the cusp of ending a 15-year jinx. The second Test at Leeds saw India at their dominant best.
Dilip Vengsarkar hit a fifty and he was given good support by Kiran More, Ravi Shastri, Kris Srikkanth and Sunil Gavaskar. Their efforts helped India reach 272. Roger Binny took 5/40 and Madan Lal chipped in with 3/18 as England were bowled out for 102. Vengsarkar hit a century on a pitch that was helping the England bowlers. His ton helped India reach 237, setting England a target of 408.
England did not fare any better in the second innings as Maninder Singh took 4/26. India won the match by 279 runs and won the Test series 2-0.
India had experienced a roller-coaster journey in 2002. They won the 2002 Natwest Tri-series by chasing down 326. The Test series did not begin well for India as they lost the Lord’s Test by a big margin. Rahul Dravid’s century helped India save the Trent Bridge Test. Heading into the Leeds Test, India were put into bat on a green pitch and overcast conditions.
But, the Indian batting showed tremendous grit and determination. Sanjay Bangar hit 68 after Virender Sehwag was dismissed cheaply. Bangar shared a partnership of 170 with Rahul Dravid. The Indian vice-captain hit 148 and laid the base for India to get a big total. Sachin Tendulkar blasted 193 and Sourav Ganguly hit 128 to boost India to 628/8 declared. England was bowled out for 273 with Kumble and Harbhajan Singh taking three wickets apiece.
Following on, England was boosted by a century from Nasser Hussain the captain but Kumble took 4/66 to give India a big innings win. India managed to hold on in the final Test at The Oval to end their tour with a 1-1 draw.
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