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.
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