Sunil Gavaskar was Ian Botham's 100th Test wicket (23 August 2002)

India as a team has often found Beefy Botham unpalatable, and not just because of the appellation's connotations to a side composed largely of Hindus. The Bombay Golden Jubilee Test of 1982 springs instantly to mind, but Botham was making life difficult for the Indians even before that. In 1979, he ripped through India's batting in the second Test at Lord's to pick up 5-35 in 19 overs. India were bowled out for 96, the last five wickets falling for just seven runs.

England overhauled that total with ease, going on to post 419 for nine declared. Not one century was scored, a testament to the consistently strong performances throughout the batting line-up. David Gower made a scintillating 82 off 94 balls and top-scored, while Botham made 36 in a power-packed middle order.

India, then, had their backs to the wall to even draw the match. But the openers steadied the frazzled nerves to some extent, posting 79 for the first wicket. After Chetan Chauhan fell to Phil Edmonds, Sunil Gavaskar, having made 59, was then dismissed by Botham - upon which the little master shook the bowler's hand before leaving the field, for that was Botham's 100th Test wicket.

Gundappa Viswanath and Dilip Vengsarkar then struck centuries to successfully keep England from victory, and although Botham would have preferred his milestone to come en route to triumph, he must no doubt cherish the fact that his 100th scalp was that of one of the very best.

For more details on all the above facts check out [ StatsGuru ]

[Archive]