At Headingley 2002, India’s Fab Three rewrote the script of overseas success with a trio of centuries that humbled England on their own turf
It's not every day that three legends of Indian cricket achieve three centuries in the same Test innings. However, that rare magic unfolded in August 2002 on a cloudy morning at Headingley, Leeds. Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sourav Ganguly — the holy trinity of Indian batting — all scored memorable centuries to lead India to a historic victory over England.
With the 2025 England tour approaching and a new era beginning under Shubman Gill, it's worth winding the clock back to relive a day when class, grit and flamboyance came together in perfect harmony.
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The pitch offered assistance to the bowlers. The skies were grey. Sehwag had departed for a mere 8 runs. It was the kind of situation that Rahul Dravid relished. Coming in at No. 3, he did what he always did best—absorb pressure and tire out the bowlers.
Dravid first partnered with Sanjay Bangar to forge a gritty 170-run partnership. Bangar held one end up with a determined 68, while Dravid kept the scoreboard ticking.
England tried pace, they tried spin, but Dravid dug in deep. His innings of 148 off 307 deliveries included 23 crisp boundaries and served as the bedrock of India's innings. When he finally fell to Ashley Giles, India was commanding at 335.
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If Dravid built the mansion, Tendulkar decorated the interiors. Coming in at No. 4, he started cautiously but soon found his rhythm. Alongside Ganguly, he forged a 335-run partnership — at that time, India's second-highest for the fourth wicket.
Tendulkar's innings displayed a blend of restraint and flair. He didn't rush but punished anything loose. His 193 was a masterclass in controlled aggression, featuring 19 fours and 3 sixes. He was nearing a double hundred when Andrew Caddick struck, ending a sublime effort just seven runs short.
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Ganguly truly showcased his flair — flamboyant, elegant, and commanding as ever! He wasted no time settling in; from the moment he stepped onto the field, he exuded an eagerness to score. His impressive 128 came off just 167 balls, as he expertly found the gaps, lifted the spinners, and dominated the attack with remarkable style.
With 3 sixes and 14 boundaries, Ganguly's incredible knock added the final touch to India's impressive first innings total. He made the bold decision to declare soon after Tendulkar's dismissal, with India comfortably positioned at 628/8 — marking their highest score at Headingley!
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England never quite recovered. In their first innings, they collapsed for 273 runs. Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble claimed six wickets between them. Nasser Hussain's century in the second innings provided some resistance, but England could only manage 309 runs.
India enforced the follow-on and secured victory by an innings and 46 runs. The series stood level at 1-1, with one Test remaining. For India, the psychological victory was significant—not merely because of the margin but also because of who delivered it.
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This was the first and only time that Dravid, Tendulkar, and Ganguly scored centuries in the same Test. For a generation of Indian fans, it was the dream scenario: Dravid anchoring, Tendulkar blossoming, and Ganguly unleashing.
That performance didn't just secure India a Test victory. It buried the "poor travellers" tag and hinted at a forthcoming era where India could not only compete but dominate abroad.
