Who was the first Indian to score a century in an away Test?
(16 July 2002)

Syed Mushtaq Ali was the original dasher of Indian cricket - a man whom the colourful Australian all-rounder Keith Miller lovingly dubbed the Errol Flynn of cricket. His debonair and thrill-a-minute batting made him the darling of the masses, who even went to the extent of "gheraoing" the great Duleepsinhji with the threat "No Mushtaq, No Test" when the latter, as chairman of selectors, dropped Mushtaq from the Indian team.

Despite his adventurism at the batting crease, Mushtaq was also one of the more consistent Indian batsmen of his times. Starting his career at number seven, he rapidly climbed up the batting order, soon becoming Vijay Merchant's opening partner. It was in Merchant's company that Mushtaq became the first Indian cricketer to score a hundred in an away Test.

The match in question was the second Test in India's three-Test series in England in 1936. The home team, having won the first Test, were further fortified by the return of the towering Wally Hammond.

It could not be ascertained whether Hammond's return had to do anything with it, but India, after winning the toss, were bundled out for just 203 in 68.1 overs on an easy-paced Old Trafford pitch. When England replied, Hammond, relishing the chance to parade his batting skills in favourable circumstances, went on to impose himself, striking as many as 21 boundaries in the course of a memorable 167. Four more fifties in the home team innings meant that when England declared their innings at 571 for eight on the second evening, they had gained a lead of 368 runs. They now seemed poised for the kill.

But the Indians, instead of cringing and accepting defeat meekly, launched a ferocious counter-attack. Gleefully latching onto the surprising number of full-tosses on offer, Mushtaq and Merchant got India off to a rollicking start. Living up his reputation as a daredevil, Mushtaq repeatedly stepped out to the quick bowlers in a series of successful attempts to upset their rhythm. His hooking too was of the highest order as he completed his hundred in two-and-a-half hours. When stumps were drawn at the end of the second day's play, India were 190 with both Mushtaq and Merchant still at the crease. The joy of the Indian captain, the Maharajah of Vizianagaram, knew no bounds; he greeted Mushtaq on the latter's triumphant return to the pavilion with a wristwatch made of gold.

Mushtaq was out early on the third morning, but Merchant carried on to complete his hundred. A 60 from the 40-year-old debutant Cotar Ramswami and good hands from CK Nayadu (34) and Amar Singh (48*) meant that India eventually salvaged an honourable draw when bad weather prematurely ended play on the third evening.

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