Nervous 90s in India vs England Tests have become a symbol of heartbreak, anxiety, and the crushing weight of expectations. In Test cricket, few moments are more agonising than falling just short of a century in the 90s. And when these near-misses happen in the high-pressure battles between historic rivals India and England, the drama reaches an entirely different level.
Over the decades, the Nervous 90s in India vs England Tests have produced some gut-wrenching moments, where the scoreboard froze just before the century mark, and entire stadiums held their breath. From legends of the game to rising stars, many have stumbled at the doorstep of glory, leaving behind stories of what could have been.
In this article, we dive into the Top 10 Nervous 90s Moments in India vs England Tests, reliving the agony, the build-up, and the fine margins that denied players their cherished hundreds.
10. Graham Thorpe – 95 at Mohali (2001)
Graham Thorpe was anchoring England’s resistance when Harbhajan Singh trapped him lbw at 95. It was a typical subcontinent collapse, and Thorpe’s innings became a classic example of the Nervous 90s in India vs England Tests, especially in alien spin conditions.
Stats Table:
| Player | Score | Venue | Year | Dismissed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Thorpe | 95 | Mohali | 2001 | Harbhajan Singh |
9. Virat Kohli – 97 at Nottingham (2018)
In one of the finest series of his career, Virat Kohli was all class at Nottingham. But just three short of a century, he fell to Adil Rashid. The heartbreak of this moment contributed to the legacy of the Nervous 90s in India vs England Tests for the modern era.
Stats Table:
| Player | Score | Venue | Year | Dismissed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 97 | Nottingham | 2018 | Adil Rashid |
8. Kevin Pietersen – 91 at Mumbai (2006)
Pietersen was dominant in the 2006 Test at Wankhede, countering Indian spin with flair. But in 91, he fell to Kumble trying a reverse sweep. A flamboyant entry in the list of Nervous 90s in India vs England Tests, as KP always played on the edge.
Stats Table:
| Player | Score | Venue | Year | Dismissed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Pietersen | 91 | Mumbai | 2006 | Anil Kumble |
7. Ajinkya Rahane – 98 at Lord’s (2018)
Rahane’s knock at Lord’s was filled with grit and elegance. But a brilliant delivery from Ben Stokes on 98 brought an end to a masterclass. It was one of the most agonising Nervous 90s in India vs England Tests, especially considering the iconic venue.
Stats Table:
| Player | Score | Venue | Year | Dismissed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajinkya Rahane | 98 | Lord’s | 2018 | Ben Stokes |
6. Ian Bell – 97 at Nagpur (2012)
Bell was looking sublime during his innings at Nagpur in 2012. Just three runs short of a century, he mistimed a lofted shot and was caught in the deep. It added another chapter to the folklore of the Nervous ’90s in India vs England Tests.
Stats Table:
| Player | Score | Venue | Year | Dismissed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Bell | 97 | Nagpur | 2012 | Pragyan Ojha |
5. Cheteshwar Pujara – 91 at Southampton (2014)
Pujara had anchored India’s innings beautifully in Southampton. But Moeen Ali got the better of him when he was on 91. It was a slow-burning kind of heartbreak, typical of the Nervous 90s in India vs England Tests, where patience met its undoing.
Stats Table:
| Player | Score | Venue | Year | Dismissed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheteshwar Pujara | 91 | Southampton | 2014 | Moeen Ali |
4. Joe Root – 92 at Chennai (2021)
In the intense 2021 tour, Joe Root was England’s backbone. During the Chennai Test, Root fell for 92 while trying to sweep Ashwin a risky shot that cost him dearly. Among the Nervous 90s in India vs England Tests, this one stood out due to its impact on the game’s momentum.
Stats Table:
| Player | Score | Venue | Year | Dismissed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | 92 | Chennai | 2021 | R. Ashwin |
3. Rahul Dravid – 95 at Nottingham (1996)
On his very first tour of England, Rahul Dravid impressed everyone with his composure. At Nottingham, he was five runs short of a maiden century when he nicked one behind. A classic story in the chapter of the Nervous 90s in India vs England Tests, a debut century that never was.
Stats Table:
| Player | Score | Venue | Year | Dismissed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahul Dravid | 95 | Trent Bridge | 1996 | Chris Lewis |
2. Alastair Cook – 94 at Kolkata (2012)
On a tour where Alastair Cook seemed unstoppable, Kolkata was set for another Cook ton. However, a rare lapse in concentration against Ojha saw him bowled at 94. It was a moment that stood out amidst his dominance, one of the most dramatic Nervous 90s in India vs England Tests.
Stats Table:
| Player | Score | Venue | Year | Dismissed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alastair Cook | 94 | Eden Gardens | 2012 | Pragyan Ojha |
1. Sachin Tendulkar – 91 at The Oval (2002)
In the final Test of the 2002 series, Sachin Tendulkar was set for a classic hundred at The Oval. With elegant cover drives and effortless flicks, he seemed destined to reach triple figures. But a loose shot against Michael Vaughan, a part-timer, ended his innings at 91. It was the most “Tendulkar-esque” example of the Nervous 90s in India vs England Tests.
Stats Table:
| Player | Score | Venue | Year | Dismissed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 91 | The Oval | 2002 | Michael Vaughan |
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