On this day (August 24) in 1971, Team India scripted history by registering their first Test series win in England. This landmark victory laid the foundation for India’s success in overseas Tests. After the first two Tests of the three-match series ended in a draw, the Ajit Wadekar-led India bounced back in the final Test at the Oval.
This was undoubtedly India’s greatest cricketing moment until the 1983 World Cup victory when India defeated West Indies in the final. However, Wadekar and Co’s historic victory still stands as a significant achievement in India’s Test cricket history. India landed on English soil after a resounding 1-0 win against the legendary Sir Gary Sobers-led West Indies in their own den in a five-match series.
India outclassed Ray Illingworth’s Ashes-winning side in all departments as they won by four wickets and clinched the series 1-0. Batting first, England managed to score 355 for the loss of 10 wickets in their first innings. Opener John Jameson gave them a good start, scoring 82 off 152 deliveries before he was run out. Wicketkeeper batter Alan Knott (90 off 116 balls) was the top scorer for the home team. For India, Eknath Solkar scalped 3 wickets for 28 runs, while Bishan Bedi, Srinivas Venkataraghavan and Bhagwath Chandrasekhar took 2 wickets each.
In reply, India managed to score only 284 in their first innings. While Farokh Engineer and Dilip Sardesai scored half-centuries, skipper Wadekar and Solkar were dismissed in the 40s. The rival captain did not have a great day with the bat, but his five-wicket haul destroyed the Indian batting line-up.
Chandrasekhar tore apart England batting line-up in second innings
England entered into the second innings with great expectations of taking a big lead. But a clinical bowling performance by the Indian bowlers restricted them to 101. Bhagwath Chandrasekhar registered his career-best haul of 6-38 during the process of demolishing the opposition with his unplayable googlies and leg breaks.
Chasing a target of 173, India suffered an early setback after Sunil Gavaskar was dismissed for a duck. However, Dilip Sardesai and Wadekar steadied the ship and ensured that they got closer to the finish line. Engineer Syed Abid Ali remained unbeaten to take India to a historic overseas victory.