The historic Lord’s Cricket Ground has long been a stage for cricket distinction - but it has proven a stubborn host for Indian captains seeking centuries. The last to conquer its honours board was Mohammad Azharuddin, who struck 121 in July 1990 . Since then, six successive Indian captains - Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and now Shubman Gill - have all failed to reach triple figures at Lord’s, despite several making impressive half-centuries .

Indian batsmen have notched numerous centuries at Lord’s - Vinoo Mankad (184, 1952), Dilip Vengsarkar (three centuries), Gundappa Vishwanath (113), Ravi Shastri (100), Azharuddin (121), Ganguly (131), Ajit Agarkar (109), Rahul Dravid (103), Ajinkya Rahane (103), and KL Rahul (129)** . Yet, those wearing the captain’s armband have stumbled short of the milestone.

Experts point to pressure of leadership, the weight of history, and challenging seaming conditions as contributing factors. Especially ironic given that current skipper Shubman Gill has enjoyed personal success overseas - scoring recent centuries and a double hundred - yet still hasn’t breached three figures at Lord’s .

For India’s leaders, Lord’s remains both revered and elusive - a reminder that even legends can falter before cricket’s grandest stage.