Independence Day Special: The Firsts in Indian Cricket (Test Cricket)

India scripted history with a famous win at Gabba

India completes 75 years of its Independence from the British regime. The country has walked the path of progress for all these years and made headways in all aspects. 

In the game of cricket, India has climbed the ladder from being minnows to a world superpower. On this special occasion let us walk through India’s journey in the game, with all the ‘firsts’ of the nation. 

First Ever match to be played in the country: The first ever cricket match to be played in India was in the year 1721.

First Invite to the Imperial Cricket Council: India was invited to the Imperial Cricket Council for the first time in 1926.

First Test Match: India played their first Test match against England at Lord’s in 1932. The match was played at Lord’s from the 25th to 28th June 1932. India lost the match by 158 runs. 

First Test Captain: Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu or better known as CK Nayudu was the first man to lead India in Test cricket.

India's first Test captain CK Nayudu

First ever five-wicket haul for India in Tests: The first ever five-wicket haul for India was picked up by Mohammad Nissar in India’s first-ever Test match against England at Lord’s in 1932. He picked up 5 wickets for 93 runs in the first innings of the match. 

First ever Test century for India: The first ever Test century for India was scored by Lala Amarnath in 1933 in Mumbai. He scored 118 runs in the second innings of the match. Unfortunately, it was a losing cause as India lost the match by 9 wickets.

First ever Test win for India: India won their first ever Test match against England in 1952. India performed remarkably to win the match at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai by an innings and 8 runs. 

First ever Test series win for India: India won their first ever Test series against Pakistan in 1952. India won the 5 match series by 2-1 under the leadership of Lala Amarnath on their home soil. 

First ever Test win on foreign land: India won their first ever Test match outside the Indian subcontinent in New Zealand in 1968. India won the match at Dunedin by a margin of 5 wickets under the leadership of Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. 

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi led India against NZ in 1968

First ever Overseas Test series win for India: India’s first ever overseas Test series victory came against New Zealand in 1968. India won the 4 match series 3-1 under Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi’s captaincy. 

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