June 25 is probably the most cherished date in Indian cricket. The day marks the anniversary of India’s 1983 World Cup win. On this fateful day in 1983, at Lord’s in London, Kapil Dev’s men ensured the end of the West Indian dominance as India became the first team apart from the side from the Caribbean Isles to lay their hands on cricket’s most-coveted silverware.
However, this date has another significance. Exactly 51 years back to this monumental day in 1983, India made its Test debut at the very ground, Lord’s. Yes, on June 25, 1932, on a sunny day and in front of 25,000 people, India took their first step in Test cricket and made the world notice.
Led by CK Nayudu, India immediately impressed despite losing the toss. England were on the mat at 19 for three before the legendary Wally Hammond, skipper Douglas Jardine and their star keeper-batsman Les Ames brought in some normalcy.
On the 88th anniversary of India’s Test debut, let’s look at some of the heroes from that Lord’s Test.
Mohammad Nissar
Nissar, then 21, was arguably the fastest bowler during this time. With just 11 on the board, England had lost both their openers to Nissar. India and Nissar’s first Test wicket was the celebrated Herbert Sutcliffe. Nissar became the first Indian to claim a five-for. He would go on to pick another wicket in the second innings.
Nisar would later migrate to Pakistan after the partition in 1947 and played a role in the formation of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
CK Nayudu
Colonel Nayudu, then 36, was already a big name in the cricketing circuits. Much of India’s fortunes depended on this ageing giant. He bowled tight lines and got the important wicket of his counterpart Jardine, who top-scored in the innings and Test. He also got Eddie Paynter, one of England’s best batters. Nayudu would then go on to top score for India in the first innings with a brisk 40.
Jahangir Khan
Jahangir, then 22, had disappointing outings with the bat. However, he kept India in the hunt with his bowling. He picked up four wickets in the second innings which included the big scalps of Hammond and Paynter.
Jahangir would later move to Pakistan and make a significant mark in developing cricket in the newly-formed nation. He is from the cricketing family that has produced some renowned Pakistani cricketers like Baqa Jilani, Imran Khan (current Prime Minister of Pakistan) and Javed Burki. Jahangir’s son Majid Khan captained Pakistan and his grandson Bazid Khan also played for Pakistan.
Amar Singh
Along with Nissar, Amar Singh formed a lethal opening bowling pair. Amar Singh cleaned-up Hammond in the first innings and got Sutcliffe and Ames in the second. Though he picked four wickets in the Test, he will be best remembered for his resistance with the bat. He went on to become the first Indian batsman to score a Test fifty.
First Indian to receive the Test cap, Amar Singh, one of India’s greatest pacers, passed away at the age of 29 from pneumonia.
Brief scores
England 259 (Wally Hammond 35, Douglas Jardine 79, Les Ames 65; Mohammad Nissar 5-93, Amar Singh 2-75, CK Nayudu 2-40) & 275 for December 8 (Douglas Jardine 85*, Eddie Paynter 54; Amar Singh 2-84, Jahangir Khan 4-60) beat India 189 (CK Nayudu 40; Bill Bowes 4-49, Bill Voce 3-23, Walter Robins 2-39) & 187 (S Wazir Ali 39, Amar Singh 51; Bill Bowes 2-30, Bill Voce 2-28, Wally Hammond 3-9) by 158 runs
India’s XI for their debut Test (in order of caps): Amar Singh, Sorabji Colah, Jahangir Khan, Lall Singh, Naoomal Jeoomal, Janardan Navle, CK Nayudu, Nazir Ali, Mohammad Nissar, Phiroze Palia, Wazir Ali
