
IND vs ENG: How June 20 connects Virat Kohli, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly & Sai Sudharsan? Why this date is so special?
But what's so special with this date? It was on June 20, the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli made their Test debuts. While Ganguly and Dravid were handed their first India Test caps in England in 1996 in the same Test, Kohli got off to the mark in red-ball cricket in West Indies in the year 2011.
With the team undergoing changes in the 1996, Ganguly and Dravid were handed their debut Test caps at Lord's. What followed was nonetheless legendary stuff from the duo. While Ganguly scored a majestic debut Test hundred while opening the batting, Dravid missed the three-figure mark by just five runs.
Later on the duo went on to become India captains. While India won the Natwest Trophy under Ganguly in 2002, Dravid led India to their third-ever Test series win against England on England soil in 2007. Ganguly was also a part of that Indian side.
Kohli's debut came four years later in 2011 in the Caribbean.

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NDTV
25 minutes ago
- NDTV
Ricky Ponting's Big Verdict On 'Out Of Character' Shubman Gill's Captaincy: "Like Virat Kohli..."
Batting legend Ricky Ponting said India skipper Shubman Gill's aggressive posturing during the Lord's Test against England was "a little out of character" but at the same time viewed it as a "captain standing up for his team". The closely-fought game saw plenty of drama on the field, including an animated flare-up between Gill and the England openers towards the end of the third day of the Test. India had managed to equal England's first innings total of 387, and wanted to squeeze in two overs in the remaining six minutes of play. However, that wasn't possible as the English openers took their time to get ready, and Gill exchanged words with Zak Crawley and then Ben Duckett. Former Australia captain Ponting understood why Gill's aggressive action at Lord's was met with surprise. "That was a little out of character from what I've known from Shubman in the past. I am sure everyone that was there watching it and I know you would know him quite well, that's not what he's generally like," Ponting told 'The ICC Review'. But Ponting also sympathised with Gill, saying it was a case of a young captain taking a stand for his team under the circumstances. "That's the captain standing up for his team, that's a captain really wanting to show that it's his team now and this is the way that we're going to play the game, and also, I guess, wanting to give a little bit back." India lost the Test by 22 runs to trail the series 1-2. The fifth and final Test begins here on Wednesday. Ponting felt that Gill acted in a manner similar to former captain Virat Kohli. "I think that's him starting to put his stamp on his team. And a lot like Virat (Kohli) did, similar ways like that. Rohit (Sharma) probably was never as outwardly aggressive, I guess, especially to opposition players. "I know he (Rohit) would quite often get aggressive with his teammates and try to bring the best out of them that way. But I love watching Shubman stand up for what he thought was right in the game last week." Ponting has played Tests in England across four separate tours, and twice as captain (2005 and 2009). He said that the pressures of such a high-profile tour could get to a skipper. "The UK can be a hard place to play. The crowds, as much as they love their game, can be as hostile a place to play as anywhere in the world. "The media there, when you're in a big series, when it's an Ashes series or when it's England and India, the media always feel like they're right on top of your back as well." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)


Indian Express
25 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Sports ministry wants to revamp Association of Indian Universities after introduction of National Sports Governance Bill
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News18
34 minutes ago
- News18
2nd Youth Test, Day 3: England U19 In Control Despite Vihaan Malhotra's Century
Last Updated: Vihaan Malhotra's century couldn't prevent India U19 from struggling against Ralphie Albert's 6/53, as England led by 123 runs at the end of Day 3. Vihaan Malhotra scored a fluent century, but the India U19 batters struggled against left-arm spinner Ralphie Albert, allowing England to gain the upper hand after Day 3 of the second four-day Youth Test on Tuesday. Malhotra (120 off 123 balls) and Ayush Mhatre (80 off 90 balls) fought valiantly for India, but they were bowled out for 279 in their first innings, conceding a lead of 30 runs. By the end of the day, England were at 93 without loss in their second innings, with an overall lead of 123 runs. Adam Thomas (50 not out) and BJ Dawkins (42 not out) were at the crease. What Happened In India Vs England, Youth Test? India, overnight at 51 for one, looked poised to gain a substantial advantage as Malhotra, who resumed at 6, and Mhatre, starting from 24, added 133 runs for the second wicket in just over 24 overs. At 170 for 1, India seemed in control, but Mhatre's dismissal shifted the momentum. England, led by left-arm spinner Albert (6/53), placed the visitors under significant pressure. India briefly rebounded with a 61-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Malhotra and Harvansh Panglia (28). However, Albert decimated the Indian lineup, as they lost their last six wickets for just 37 runs. Brief scores: England U19: 309 all out and 93 for no loss in 25 overs vs India U19: 279 all out in 58.1 overs (Vihaan Malhotra 120, Ayush Mhatre 80; Ralphie Albert 6/53). view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.