The first test between visiting England team and India ended in a draw at Nagpur. The two countries have now played 92 tests against each other, their cricket ties span over last 74 years. The inaugural test match was played at Lords in 1932. However it was not until the next 30 years that India could record a series win over the mother country. The 1961-62 rubber as such is considered as one of the most memorable in the Indian Cricket history. To recall memories of that historic series a brief review is presented below.

England was one of the worlds best teams in those days. They had such world class players like Peter May, Ted Dexter, KenBarrington, ColinCowdrey, Tom Graveney, Peter Richardson, Mike Smith, BobBarber, Geoff Pullar, Raman Subbarow, Fred Titmus, Tony Lock and Peter Parfitt a galaxy of stars. No other team had such a strong batting line up and such lethal bowling attack as had the English Team. Earlier to 1961-62 tour of India they had beaten the West Indies in 1959-60 and at home had white washed the Indians (5-0) in the following summer. Such was their supremacy that there was a proposal to cut down the duration of test matches involving weaker teams like India, Pakistan and Newzealand from 5 to 3 days on tour of England. Under such circumstances the Indians and for that reason any other team especially from the weaker group could not have even dreamt of achieving such a convincing success in a series what India achieved in 1961-62 rubber. It gave Indian Cricket a new life and renewed their confidence.

No doubt England had sent a relatively weaker team on that tour as their Stalwarts Colin Cowdrey, Tom Graveney, Brian statham and Fred Trueman were absent. Yet the Indian victory in the series was well deserved. Below are the glimpses of the test series.

Bombay Result: Drawn

K.F Barrington scored un beaten 151 and 52 as England scored 500 for 8 declared and 180 for 5 declared. India replied with 390 and 180 for 5, V.L. Manjrekar (68 & 84 ) and M.L Jaisimha (56 & 51) scored fifties in the two innings.

Kanpur Result: Drawn

Badsmen dominated the drawn test, Polly Umrigar (147 Not Out), V.L.Manjrekar (96) and M.L Jaisimha (70) helped India to amass 467 for 8 declared. S.P Gupte captured 6 for 90 and England falling 223 runs in arrears were forced to follow on. Later K.F Barrington (172), Ted Dexter (126 Not Out) and Geoff Pullar (119) all batted resolutely to ensure the match to end is a draw.

New Dehli Result: Drawn

No play was possible on the last two days of the test match. V.L Manjrekar (189 Notout), M.L Jaisimha (127) and K.F Barrington (113 Not Out) scored centuries, which were the only notable events of the match.

Calcutta Result: India won by 187 runs

After three of the dullest tests the Calcutta test was exciting and it produced result. Man of the Match Chandu Borde Scored half centuries (68 & 61) and claimed 4 for 65 in England’s first innings. Saleem Durrani was India’s other hero who scored 43 in India’s first innings (380) and later claimed 5 for 47 & 3 for 66 in the match. Eventually India out played the visitors by 187 runs.

Madras Result: India won by 128 runs

Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Patudi who immediately later in the next series led India in three of the five tests in West Indies scored his maiden hundred to lay a strong foundation of Indian Victory. Skipper Nari Contractor (86) wicket keeper F.M. Engineer (54) and al-rounder R.G. Nadkarani (63) helped India to score 428 in the first innings. Saleem Durrani with a match haul of 10 wickets for 177 runs restricted England to 281 and 209 in the two innings. India convincingly won the match despite Tony Lock bowled his heart out to dismiss India for 190 in the second innings and aptured 6 for 65 yet in vain.

At the end of Nagpur Test Result summary of India v/s England Test matches is as below:-

(1932 to date)

Won by England	Won by India	Drawn
33	16	43

(Article: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only.
Copyright © 2006 smyaserrafique@yahoo.com)