Shubman Gill’s gritty century at Old Trafford in 2025 stands among the top 3 Test innings by Indian captains in Manchester, alongside Mohammad Azharuddin’s heroic 179 in 1990 and MS Dhoni’s resilient 71 in 2014. These innings highlight their leadership and crucial contributions under pressure.
3. MS Dhoni – 71 vs England, 2014
In the 2014 Old Trafford Test, Dhoni arrived at 8-4 amidst England’s dominant bowling attack. Batting at number six, he top-scored with a gritty 71 off 133 balls, hitting 15 boundaries. His partnerships with Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin helped somewhat stabilize the innings. Despite Dhoni’s valiant effort, India was bowled out for 152 and suffered an innings defeat, falling 1-2 in the series.
2. Shubman Gill – 103 vs England, 2025
Leading India for the first time in Tests, Shubman Gill scored a crucial 103 at Old Trafford Manchester in 2025. After India’s shaky start losing two early wickets for zero runs, Gill partnered with KL Rahul to build a vital 188-run third-wicket stand. His patient 103 off 238 balls, featuring 12 boundaries, helped India stage a strong fightback, becoming only the second Indian captain to score a century at this venue.
1. Mohammad Azharuddin – 179 vs England, 1990
During the 1990 Manchester Test, Azharuddin played a magnificent 179, rescuing India from 57-3. He formed key partnerships of 189 runs with Sanjay Manjrekar and 112 with a young Sachin Tendulkar. His aggressive innings, scored at a strike rate near 75, included 21 boundaries and a six. Despite his heroics, India salvaged a draw as Tendulkar’s batting brilliance also shone in this memorable contest.
