India’s Cricketing Heritage and First Test Match as an Independent Country
The rise of Indian cricket over the past two decades, highlighted by the emergence of the IPL and the success of the national team, has bolstered the country’s standing in the international arena.
However, Indian cricket has not always enjoyed such widespread success. Throughout much of the 1900s, cricket in India was limited in scope, much like in other colonies of the British Empire.
India played its first Test match at Lord’s on 25 June 1932, led by Col. CK Nayudu. Exactly 51 years later, India returned to Lord’s to win the 1983 World Cup. But even before the ODI format, the national team had to make strides in the Test arena.
India’s initial 10 matches as a national team were all against England from 1932 to 1946. After gaining independence, the team played its first match against a different opponent during the 1947/48 Australia tour.
On 28 November 1947, India played its first Test as an independent nation against Don Bradman’s Australia in Brisbane. This marked new territory for Indian cricket, as the team had only played against England and in England and India at that point.
Batting first, Australia scored 382/8 declared, with captain Don Bradman’s innings of 185. India was bowled out for just 58 in reply and then asked to follow on, managing only 98 runs. Australia won by an innings and 226 runs, marking the start of a challenging phase for Indian cricket. It would take another five years for India to secure its first win, against England in 1952.
Looking ahead, India is preparing to take on Australia in the third T20I of their bilateral series at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. To learn more about the latest odds and special offers for the upcoming match, check out the link.
