History of Indian cricket - 1950s
The 1950’s saw India’s first Test win and then their first Test rubber. Achieving the former feat against England and the latter against Pakistan, it was a decade, which saw individual players making entries into the record books. Mankad’s magic against the Englishmen in 1952, a record breaking opening partnership of 413 between Pankaj Roy and Vinod Mankad and Jasu Patel’s standout performance against the Aussies displayed the class of Indian cricket.
It was on 10th of February 1952, the Indians playing more for pride after being down 0-1 in the series against the English. History was made in the final Test at Madras where India registered their first ever Test victory, 20 years after they had made their Test debut.
Vijay Hazare led the Indian team. The English, who were led by Donald Carr won the toss and chose to bat. Due to an impressive bowling performance by Vinoo Mankad where he claimed 8 wickets, the English were bowled out for 266 runs. The Indians amassed a massive 457 with Pankaj Roy and Polly Umrigar coming up with centuries to their name.
The English were bowled out for a meager 183 in the second innings with Mnakad and Ghulam Ahmed each taking 4 wickets. This led India to an impressive Test victory by an innings and 8 runs.
The five men who won the accolades for this remarkable victory were Vinoo Mankad, Ghulam Ahmed, Pankaj Roy, Polly Umrigar and Probir Sen. Pankaj Roy had gone on to say: “A victory against those who had been our master till 5 years ago had special significance”.
The First Rubber – 1952-53
In the words of Wally Hammond of ‘Cricket My World’ – “If ever cricket matches between India and Pakistan can be played without a ring of machine guns and troops to keep the onlookers from rioting, then I feel that the prestige attached to the game is great”.
A fierce ‘rivalry’ had developed between the two neighbouring countries and the Test series of 1952-53 redefined the term and gave it a new meaning. India won the first Test match at Delhi by an innings and 70 runs. Mankad picked up 8 for 52 in the first innings and 5 for 79 in the second taking his tally to 13 wickets in just the first match of the series.
However, Pakistan came back strongly in Lucknow just five days later where Fazal Mahmood and Nazar Mohammed annihilated the Indian Team.
Fazal Mahmood with 5 for 52 and 7 for 42 was the main person responsible for Pakistan’s victory. Nazar Mohammed also played his part by becoming the first Pakistani to score a Test hundred and carrying his bat through with 124 not out to his name.
The Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai saw the Indians getting back to their winning ways in the third Test of the series. The Pakistanis were bowled out for a meager 186 in the first innings. With Hazare’s knock of 146 and Umrigar’s 102 in India’s first innings reply, the Indian’s declared at 387 for 4.
Even though Hanif and Hasan showed some resistance in Pakistan’s second innings against the Indians, they tumbled for just 242 on the board. Subhash Gupte’s brilliant 3 for 77 and Mankad’s 5 for 72 paved way for India to make only 45 in their second innings; which they did without much ado.
The fourth Test at Madras and the final Test at Calcutta both ended in a draw. This made India win their first Test series in the same year as they had registered their first Test match win.
This series victory against the Pakistanis also saw the end of the reign of Lala Amarnath. A news report firmly stated: “He might not have achieved great things but led India to their first victory in a rubber. That honour will always be his.”
The record opening partnership of 413 - 1955
A few records made in the 1950s still maintain their place in the sun. The record of the best opening partnership till date stands in the name of the two greats – Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy. With an individual score of 231 and 173 respectively, the two batsmen toyed with the New Zealand bowling for two days and played glorious shots all around the wicket.
This led India to a glorious 109-run victory in the fifth and the final Test against the New Zealand cricket team. They batted for an entire day, which turned out to be vital for the Indian team and was eventually the difference between the two sides.
They were subjected to some hostile bowling by Cave and Hayes, but went into the second day with their wickets intact and strokes flying off their respective willows.
Mankad’s score of 231 remained the highest individual score by an Indian till Sunil Gavaskar finally broke it years later.
