DEFEATING ENGLAND IN HOMEGROUND

In 1971 after the victory against West Indies, India toured England. The Indian team was in great confidence of defeating the England in their home. The first two tests ends in a draw. The third and final test held at kennington London, oval. England played and scored 355 in the first innings. Indians were bowled out for 284. Then England started their second innings. Finally they scored just 101 runs by losing all the wickets. This made India to score easy target of 173 runs. Finally India won the test as well as the series 1-0 by against England in their home ground. Till the date all the countries were playing only test cricket. A team has to play both the innings i.e., they have to play all five days if necessary. In 1975 another form of cricket came into attack. The new fashion got good response.

FIRST WIN AGAINST WEST INDIES

In 1970-1971 India went to a tour to West Indies. The first match ends in draw. The second test match played at Port of Spain, where India won the match. In the first innings West Indies scored 214 runs. Later India gave a lead of 138 and West Indies started their second innings. They added 262 runs to their original score. Overall they gave a target of 124 runs. India easily chased the given target. Sunil Gavaskar made his test debut in this match. He scored half centuries in both the innings. This helped India to win the match easily. The third test ends in a draw. India won the series by 1-0. This is their first test victory against West Indies. Gavaskar came as a brilliant batsman in this series and kept his place strong in Indian team. His batting style and strokes are appreciated by everyone.

FIRST SERIES WIN

In the period 1961-1962 England came to India for playing five test matches. England’s main aim was to break the opening partnership of the Indians. The Indian cricket fans were very eager to watch the match against England. Unfortunately the first three matches ends in a draw. The fourth test started at Calcutta. Indians won the match by an innings and 187 runs. Indians are now leading the series by 1-0. The fifth and final test played in Chepauk, Madras. The match turns in favor of India. Again Indians struck the British men by 128 runs. India won their first series against England by 2-0. In the same year Indians toured West Indies. The good form of the Indian cricket team started disappearing. They lost the series 5-0 against West Indies. Indians haven’t won a series in abroad till 1968. In 1968 India won the series against Newzealand by 3-1 in Newzealand.

GOOD OPENERS FOR INDIA

The fourth test held in Madras, the fifth and final test played in Calcutta. Both the test ends in a draw. This helped India to win the series against Pakistan. This was the first series win for India. In 1955 Indian batting order was strong. The opening partnership between Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy made to score 413 runs which was the best partnership till now. Vinoo Mankad scored 231 and Pankaj Roy 173 which helped India to win the fifth and final test, played against Newzealand. India batted the whole day without losing any wickets. Both the openers of India batted brilliantly. India won the first test against Newzealand by 109 runs. Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy becomes one of the great openers in the history of world cricket. The partnership against Newzealand made them the good openers for India. The whole world talks about the best opening of the Indian cricket team after this match.

FIRST EVER TEST WIN

In the period from 1951-1952 England came to India for playing test series. The first match was won by England. England dominated the series by 1-0.The Indians registered their first test victory in test against England in 1952. In 1952-1953 Pakistan, the rival country of India came to India to play 5 tests. The first test match between India and Pakistan was played at Delhi. India won their second test by defeating the first test match versus Pakistan. Pakistan lost the match by an innings and 70 runs. Pakistan returned back strongly for the second test and played well and won it. The third test played at Bombay. It was very important for both the teams as the series were in level. Pakistan scored 186 in the first innings. India scored majestic 387 in first innings. Pakistan struggled and played second innings but could score only 242. India scored 45 runs which lead to the winning of the match.

SERIES LOST AGAINST WEST INDIES

In the time period from 1948-1949 West Indies came to India for playing five test matches. The first test match started in Delhi, capital of India. West Indies scored 631 runs in the first innings but Indians worked hard to draw the first test match. The second test held at Mumbai and again the match drawn. The third test match also ends in a draw. The fourth test match played in Madras. The good performances of the Indian cricket came to an end by losing the match against West Indies by an innings and 193 runs. West Indies were leading the series 1-0 with one match left. The fifth and final test ends in a draw even though the Indians had a great opportunity to win. West Indies won the series by 1-0. Even though Indians lost the series they played a great cricket in the tour of West Indies.