15th December 1933, the first-ever Cricket test match in India took place at Bombay Gymkhana. This test match marked the debut of some of the legends of Indian cricket such as Lala Amarnath and Vijay Merchant. The match also featured the first-ever Test hundred by an Indian, Lala Amarnath.
After the good performance by the Indian team in their maiden Test at Lord s in 1932, it was decided to organise home series. Accordingly, Bombay Gymkhana venue was fixed and the England tour was scheduled in the winter of 1933-34. The England team known as MCC (the team was governed by Marylebone Cricket Club) was led by Douglas Jardine.
The Bombay Gymkhana was founded in 1875. Only Europeans were allowed to enter the club and the only Indians allowed were the servants. The rule was so strict that even Ranjit Sinhji was not allowed to enter. The restrictions, however, were lifted for the Indian cricketers in the previous season.
The Indian team captain was C.K. Nayudu. He went for a toss with Douglas Jardine and it was witnessed by a huge crowd. Eventually
India won the toss and elected to bat.
Below are the significant happenings of this first test match:
1) There was a 20,000-strong crowd attending the match between MCC and the Bombay Presidency.
2) Morris Nichols bowled the historical first ball of the match to Wazir Ali.
3) Due to a good bowling attack, none of the Indian batsmen crossed 40, At end of the first day, the Indians scored 212 for 9 and were bowled out for 219 in the first innings.
4) Valentine went on to score the first Test hundred on Indian soil to make 136. MCC (England team) scored 438 in the first innings.
5) Indian bowler Mohamad Nissar took 5 for 90 in his second Test to better his debut haul of 5 for 93.
6) With a deficit of 219 runs, India started with 2nd innings with 29 for 2 and C.K.Nayudu & Lala Amarnath played cautiously. Lala Amarnath made the century, scoring 118 runs while Nayudu scored 67.
7) Indian team were bowled out for 258 runs and England easily chased 40 runs to win the test match.
8) Though a strong England team won by 9 wickets, it was an impressive performance by the Indian team.
Score Card
India (Bombay Presidency)
- 1st Innings – 219 all-out – Stan Nichols 3 for 53, Hedley Verity 3 for 44, James Langridge 3 for 42)
- 2nd Innings – 258 all out (Lala Amarnath 118, CK Nayudu 67; Stan Nichols 5 for 55, Nobby Clark 3 for 69)
lost to
England (MCC)
- 1st Innings – 438 all out (Cyril Walters 78, Douglas Jardine 60, Bryan Valentine 136; Mohammad Nissar 5 for 90, Rustomji Jamshedji 3 for 137)
- 2nd Innings – 40 for 1
England won by 9 wickets.
