No Indian Captain Has Scored 50 at Lord’s in 30 Years — Will Shubman Gill Break the Streak?

The cricketing world is focused on the third Test match between India and England at Lord’s, with Shubman Gill leading the Indian team. The user’s query suggests that no Indian captain has scored a half-century at Lord’s, questioning whether Gill will be the first to achieve this milestone. This note aims to explore the historical accuracy of this claim, Gill’s current role, and the potential for him to score a half-century in the ongoing match, providing a comprehensive analysis based on available records and match updates.

Historical Accuracy: Have Indian Captains Scored Half-Centuries at Lord’s?

The premise that no Indian captain has scored a half-century at Lord’s is incorrect, as historical data reveals several instances where Indian captains have achieved this feat in Test matches. Through detailed research, the following captains were identified:

• Mohammad Azharuddin: During India’s tour of England in 1990, Azharuddin, as captain, scored a century (121 runs off 111 balls) in the first Test at Lord’s. This performance is well-documented, with former England cricketer Vic Marks describing it as “the most dazzling Test century” he had witnessed, as noted in The Observer.
• Ajit Wadekar: In 1971, Wadekar scored 85 runs in the first innings at Lord’s, contributing to India taking a slim lead and holding England to a draw, as per India TV News.
• Sunil Gavaskar: Also in 1971, Gavaskar scored 50 in the fourth innings, helping India stretch the game to a draw, according to the same source.

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These instances confirm that at least three Indian captains have scored 50 or more runs at Lord’s, with Azharuddin’s century being particularly notable. The last such instance was in 1990, making it 35 years since an Indian captain achieved this in a Test match at Lord’s.

Shubman Gill’s Role and Current Context

Gill’s recent form has been impressive, with notable performances in the series, including his leadership in the second Test at Edgbaston, where India won by 336 runs. His role as captain and opener positions him well to potentially score a half-century, especially given the historical significance of Lord’s and his aggressive batting style.

While Gill would not be the first Indian captain to score a half-century at Lord’s, doing so would mark him as the first in over 35 years, since Azharuddin’s century in 1990. This would add to his growing reputation as a leader and batsman, especially at a venue known as the “Home of Cricket,” where only a select few Indian captains have succeeded. The historical context, with legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli failing to score Test centuries at Lord’s, underscores the challenge and prestige of this achievement.

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The claim that no Indian captain has scored a half-century at Lord’s is false, with Mohammad Azharuddin, Ajit Wadekar, and Sunil Gavaskar having achieved this in Test matches, the last being Azharuddin in 1990. Shubman Gill, as the current Indian Test captain, has not yet batted in the ongoing third Test at Lord’s as of July 11, 2025, but has the opportunity to join this list. While he would not be the first, scoring a half-century would be a significant milestone, marking the first such instance in over 35 years. This analysis is based on historical records from Wikipedia, ESPNcricinfo, and India TV News, with citations including Wikipedia: Mohammad Azharuddin, ESPNcricinfo: India vs England 3rd Test scorecard, and India TV News: Indian captains at Lord’s.Below is a table summarizing Indian captains who have scored 50 or more at Lord’s in Test matches:

Captain	Year	Score	Match Outcome
Mohammad Azharuddin	1990	121	Lost by 247 runs
Ajit Wadekar	1971	85	Drawn
Sunil Gavaskar	1971	50	Drawn

This table, sourced from India TV News and Wikipedia, highlights the historical precedents, reinforcing that Gill would not be the first but could add to this legacy in the current match.