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India, The Underdog
Nobody expected India to beat West Indies in the final of 1983 world cup. Ladbrokes, the official betting agency, offered odds of 100-1 on India winning. That meant that if you put 100 pounds on India winning, you could walk way with a cool 100,000 pounds. And as you know India won. Whoever put their money on India sure made a killing that day.
Cricket, Yawns… Blame It On India & Pakistan
If test cricket has begun losing out to one-day cricket in popularity, perhaps the sub-continental teams, particularly India and Pakistan, should take the blame. Here’s why: India and Pakistan are the only countries to have played out a 0-0 draw in test series a five-test series! And not just once, but thrice! Yawwwnnnnnnnnnnnnn
The First Test For India
India played its first test way back in 1932, when C.K. Nayudu led a side to England. The team couldn’t have asked for a better start, dismissing England for 259. However, India’s reply wasn’t exactly better, with their innings folding up for just 188. England (led by Douglas Jardine) then set India a total of 346 to win, after declaring at 275 for 8 in its second innings. The Indian team didn’t come too close to that target, and lost the test by 158 runs.
The First Test Win For India
The win came at home against England in 1951-52, 20 years after India first played test cricket. And it was an emphatic win at that, although it said that the English did not send its strongest side. Yet it was a moment to savour. England was bowled out for 266, with Vinoo Mankad grabbing eight of those wickets. India replied with a solid 457, with Pankaj Roy and Polly Umrigar slamming centuries. On a pitch that was breaking up and spinning, India bowled out England for a measly 183 in the second innings, to win the test by an innings and eight runs.
The First Overseas Win For India
India’s first test win on foreign soil came in 1971 against England at the oval. It was the country’s first win over England in England in 22 tests! And the team had leg-spinner Chandrashekar to thank, who took for six wickets for just 38, as England was skittled out for just 101. In the second innings India needed 172 for victory, and they got it thanks to a fine innings from ace batsman Gundappa Vishwanath. Incidentally, Sunil Gavaskar scored a duck in this innings.
Bedi, One Of India’s Best
There is good reason why Bishan Bedi is considered one of the best bowlers of all times. Consider this, in 1972-3 series against England, he conceded just 1.69 runs per over. And this was over an average of 41 overs per innings. Of course this was not without wickets, they totaled to 25. |
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