India's first Test Victory

India's historic triumph down under has evoked reminiscences of a Test match nearly seven decades ago. Despite India's entry into Test cricket in 1932, victory eluded us for nearly two decades. Losses were common, with occasional draws hailed as moral victories.

The turning point arrived during the 1951-1952 India Vs England series. Stellar performances from Pankaj Roy, Polly Umrigar, and Vijay Hazare ensured draws in the first three Tests. However, in the Fourth Test, our batting faltered, leading to a decisive loss.

In the Fifth and Final Test at Chepauk grounds in Madras, India batted first, amassing a formidable total of 400-plus runs. Our spin bowlers capitalized, dismissing the opposition cheaply, and enforcing a follow-on with a target of 191 runs. Yet, it was already the fourth evening of the match.

On the fifth day, our spinners continued their dominance, arousing hopes of victory among Indian spectators. In those days, power cuts were common, and my elder cousin and I eagerly awaited 2 pm to listen to the commentary. However, all we heard was a sudden silence, signaling the end of the broadcast. My cousin speculated that either heavy rains had disrupted play or India had emerged victorious.

The heroes of the match were the aforementioned batsmen, supported by bowlers Vinoo Mankad and Gulam Ahmad. This victory marked India's first triumph in 25 attempts. Despite ongoing struggles in the following two decades, it was under the captaincy of Kapil Dev that winning became a consistent habit.

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