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XtraTime Web Desk: June 22, 1996 will always be marked in red letters in Indian cricket history as it was on this day two of the most gifted cricketers announced their arrival in test cricket at the Lord's cricket ground. Sourav Ganguly scored a brilliant 131 runs while Rahul Dravid just feel short of reaching the three figure mark, scoring 95 runs.

It was the third day of the second test match of the series at Lords. England was bundled out for 344 runs in their first innings. Indian openers Vikram Rathour and Nayan Mongia opened the batting for India. Rathour soon edged to Naseer Hussein fielding at slips off Dominic Cork. In walked Sourav Ganguly at No 3. He went on the bat for the next 435 minutes to script a brilliant hundred on debut. It was a sheer joy for the packed house at Lords, to see the Prince of Calcutta play some exquisite cover drives, cut shots and on drives to reach the three figure mark. Ganguly’s 131 run innings off 301 balls was studded with 20 boundaries.

On the other hand Rahul Dravid too played a gem of an innings. Coming in at the fall of the fifth wicket (Ajay Jadeja) Dravid went on to score 95 runs off 267 deliveries. In his 363 minutes stay at the crease Dravid too played some atrocious shots against the likes of Mullally, Cork, Martin and Chris Lewis. Both Dravid and Ganguly were involved in a 94-run stand for the sixth wicket. While Dravid was caught behind off the bowling of Lewis for 95, Ganguly too was finally sent back to the pavilion by Alan Mullaly. India was eventually bundled out for 429, taking a lead of 85 runs over the hosts.
England managed to hang on and the side registered 278/9 in the second innings as the match ended in a draw.

Over the years both Ganguly and Dravid went on to serve Indian cricket with dignity. Both Sourav and Rahul became captains for India. Sourav turned up as one of the most successful Indian captains.

The swashbuckling left-handed batsman scored 18,575 runs in 113 Tests and 311 ODIs.