#OTD in 1932 | Team India played its first-ever Test match under CK Nayudu

India’s Test history constitutes a vast sector of Test cricket itself. Widely considered the purest form of the game, some of the world’s leading run-scorers, century-makers, triple centurions, and best bowling figures all belong to India.

Moreover, the country also features as one-half of several eponymous Test titles like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Pataudi Trophy and the Freedom Trophy. 

While the Indian team shares some of the fiercest Test rivalries with countries like Australia, England, South Africa and Pakistan, their illustrious journey in the format itself began during the 1932 summer of England.

India’s Test voyage completes 90 years

On this day in 1932, the Indian team played a one-off Test match against England at Lord’s. The game inducted India into the format, thus becoming the sixth team to be granted Test status.

Under the leadership of the legendary C.K. Nayudu, the visitors were asked to bowl first by the English captain on Day 1.

The Indian bowlers bowled with precise pace and aggression as they dismissed the Test giants for just 259. However, the batters failed to capitalise on the opportunity as they were folded out for 189, thus conceding a 70-run first-innings lead to the hosts.

England extended their lead to 345 by scoring 275-8d in their second innings. India’s Jahangir Khan was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors with figures of 4-60.

India, chasing a target of 346, were all out for just 187 in the final innings of the match. Lower-order batsman Amar Singh scored the lone half-century for the visitors across both innings as India began their Test journey with a 158-run defeat.