At this legendary location, a number of Indian batsmen have succeeded in leaving their mark despite the seam-friendly wickets and difficult circumstances.
In light of this, let’s examine Indian hitters who have both scored 50 or more runs in an Edgbaston Test.
Indian Batting Brilliance at Edgbaston: Twin Fifties in Defeats
Edgbaston has seen some unforgettable Indian batting performances over the decades, even in the face of crushing defeats. Several Indian batters have stood tall, scoring twin fifties or better in Test matches where the team was otherwise outplayed. Here’s a look back at five such heroic efforts.
Gundappa Viswanath – 1979
In the 1979 Edgbaston Test, England posted a mammoth 633/5 declared, putting immense pressure on the Indian side. Gundappa Viswanath led India’s resistance with a gritty 78 off 181 balls in the first innings. Unfortunately, India could only muster 297 and were forced to follow on.
Once again, Viswanath stood firm in the second innings with a composed 51 off 119 balls, registering twin fifties. Despite his valiant effort, India succumbed to an innings defeat, unable to match England’s dominant display.
Sunil Gavaskar – 1979
Sunil Gavaskar, too, showed his class in the same 1979 Test. Partnering with Viswanath, he scored a fine 61 off 160 balls in the first innings, sharing a crucial 70-run stand for the third wicket.
In the second innings, Gavaskar once again tackled England’s fiery attack with authority, scoring 68 off 117 balls. However, like Viswanath, his resilience wasn’t enough to alter the match’s fate.
MS Dhoni – 2011
Fast forward to 2011, MS Dhoni showcased his fighting spirit at Edgbaston during a tough tour for India. In the first innings, he counter-attacked with a gritty 77 off 96 balls, helping India reach 224.
In the second innings, he remained unbeaten with a well-crafted 74 off 79 balls, trying to delay the inevitable. However, England’s dominance prevailed, as India were handed an innings and 242-run defeat.
Virat Kohli – 2018
Edgbaston 2018 was all about Virat Kohli’s phenomenal solo effort. With India tottering at 100/5 in the first innings, Kohli produced a masterclass knock of 149 off 225 balls, keeping India in the game almost single-handedly.
In the second innings, chasing 194, Kohli again stood tall with 51 off 93 balls. Despite his efforts, India fell short by 31 runs, losing a closely contested battle.
Rishabh Pant – 2022
In 2022, Rishabh Pant lit up Edgbaston with a sensational century and a half-century in the same match. On Day 1, he stunned England with a blazing 146 off just 111 balls, shifting momentum towards India.
He followed it up with an impressive 57 off 86 balls in the second innings, showing consistency and flair. But once again, India ended up on the losing side, as England chased down 378 to script a historic victory.