Six most memorable India Test matches in history

As India play their 500th Test match against New Zealand, it is certainly unthinkable to assume that none of the Test matches have had something memorable. Since 1932, India has crossed several thresholds many most certainly did not expect them to do.

With the Indians looking to get back to winning ways as well as become the world number one Test team in the world, it seems clear that history has a massive role to play in the same. Although there are many wins in the 499 matches played, there are a few that have caught the eye of many watching.

Having occupied the world number 1 ranking in Test matches in the past, we take a quick look at some of the most memorable Test matches the Indians have been involved in the past.

1. England v India, 3rd Test 1971, The Oval – India won by 4 wickets

Although the Indians had played Test cricket for the better part of 40 years at the time, they became a force to reckon with only in 1971 under the charismatic leadership of Ajit Wadekar. Till the time, whenever India had played against their former masters, they had been steamrolled quite comprehensively. However, under Wadekar, they gained an identity of being a force of reckoning with.

Having drawn the first two Tests, India and England faced each other in the third and final Test of the series at The Oval. While India had their gold mine in their spin attack with their spin trio of Bedi, Chandrashekar, and Venkatraghavan, the home side also boasted of some fantastic players. Brian Luckhurst, Ray Illingworth, Keith Fletcher, Allan Knot, and Basil D’Oliveira are a few star names on that list.

Of the spinners, Bhagwat Chandrashekar picked up fantastic figures in the second innings of 6/38. 15 wickets of the match fell to the spinners on a wicket regarded as a pacer’s wicket. Having been set 174 runs to win, Ajit Wadekar smashed a characteristic 45 while wicketkeeper-batsman Farokh Engineer hit the winnings runs. The picture of Engineer being garlanded by the Indian faithful at The Oval is a prominent part of Indian folklore.