Cricket is celebrated in India, the beautiful game represents the essence of diversity, young ones and old ones enjoy alike this game and most importantly, they do it passionately. The game was brought to India by British colonists, however, the country itself got soaked to the game that it aced its all aspects. Not only Indian cricket team dominated the word of cricket with special but also we witnessed some special individual moments that will remain unforgettable in Indian cricket history.
We thought why not compile a list of such great, inspiring and memorable moments and serve as reminder to the fans of what has been Indian cricket about:
1) The First Influential Cricketer from India
Prince Ranjitsinhji was an influential princely born crickter who played 15 test matches for England. He scored around 24000 runs at an average of 56 in first class cricket with 72 centuries. He revolutionized the game with his unorthodox but graceful style, and his batting records still stand today. He was also a progressive ruler and statesman, and he made many contributions to the development of his country.”
2) Duleep Singh: Indian Gentleman of the Game
Indian born cricket Duleep Singh was nephew of Ranjit Singh. Similary, he played for English team of the time, taking part in 12 matches ans scoring 995 runs at an average of 58. He was born in Gujarat but moved to England as a young boy and played for Sussex and Cambridge University. Back in India, he represented Hindus Cricket club in Bombay tournament. Duleep Trophy is named after him.
3) First Ever Home Test Match of Indian Team
Indian cricket team, which was granted a test playing nation by ICC, played its first ever home test cricket match in 1933 against England in Bombay. Then time captain of C K Nayudu and Lala Bharadwaj coming out to bat against England. The series was of two matches and both were won by the visitors.
4) First Ever Away Test Century Scorer
You might have heard the name Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy but did you know that Syed Mushtaq Ali was an Indian cricketer who scored first century by Indian batter on overseas tour, he scored 112 runs against England at Old Trafford in 1936 which was his debut year in international cricket. He went on to play for Indian cricket team for 18 years and was awarded C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995.
5) First Captain To Register Test Win
Indian cricket team captain Vijay Hazare after he led Indian side to first ever test victory in international cricket. India won a test match against England by an innings and 8 runs at Madras. It was the Indian team victoy under his captaincy. Vijay Hazare trophy is named after him.
Also Read: Players Who Made Debut For India At Young Age
6) 20th Century’s Best Wicketkeeper of India
The great Indian wicketkeeper batsman Farokh Engineer stumps out English Geoffrey Boycott at Edgbaston. Because of his excellent glove work in 1967 India tour of England, Engineer was given a contract to play for Lancashire Cricket Club. After his move to England, greatly enjoyed playing county cricket for Lancashire which later on helped him to play at his best when India toured England in 1971.
7) Test Series Win Over England
Celebration ceremony after Indian cricket team defeated England in a memorable test match at the Oval. India won that series 1-0 against England, it was their first away series victoy against England which the Indian crowed verily cheered. Ajit Wadekar was the captain of Indian cricket team at the time and Farokh Engineer played a crucial role in India’s win over English team.
8) A Smell of Victory
Legendary Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi kisses the stump to celebrate the hard fought victory against Australia in 1978. Bedi captained the Indian side during test match played at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The intersting thing about this match was that both openers of Indian cricket team scorerd naught in the first innings but Sunil Gavaskar scored a match winning 118 in the second innings. Bedi took 6 wickets in the match.
9) World Cup 1983 Squad
The Indian cricket team 1983 World Cup that successfully won the coveted trophy. The team was led by Kapil Dev. Relatively known as underdogs at the time, India a number of experienced players and determined guys who were prepared for the big conquest.
10) Full House Lord’s Cricket Ground
Indian cricket team fans invading the pitch to show their love for the first ever World Cup champions. It is not always expected such kind of support when an touring team plays the game. In modern day, fans travel with their teams supporting them throughout the tournament. Take a look at Lord’s cricket ground, and feel how inspired and engaged were the Indian supporters in the finals of 1983 cricket World Cup.
11) Unsung Heroes of World Cup
World Cup1983 wicketkeeper of the tournament Syed Kirmani with man of the match in the final game Mohinder Amarnath. Indian cricket team defeated West Indies in the finals by 43 runs. Throughout the tournament, Kirmani did a great job as a wicketkeeper and Amarnath was crucial in the bowling department but hardly they get the credit they truly deserve.
12) Big Occasion of Celebration
Indian cricket team in full on celebration mode after defeating Pakistan in a World Championship ODI final at Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was the only World Championship hosted in history of cricket and Indian cricket team remained undefeated in the tournament. They bowled out Pakistan for only 177 runs in the final then chased it down with 8 wickets in hand.
13) Young Sachin Tendulkar Giving Glimpse of Greatness
17 years Sachin Tendulkar given applause and appreciation during 1990 test match between England and India at Old Trafford. The young Sachin scored 68 in the first innings and 118 not out in the second innings. It was an innings that everyone gave a notice that this young boy was destined for great career, perhaps the best ever to play the game.
14) 400 Wickets for Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev becomes the first Indian bowler to take 400 wickets in any format. One of the best fast bowling all-rounders of his generation, Kapil Dev was known for his attaching bowling and never take a step back spirit. He bowled in the era of great West Indies fast bowlers so his name is not much attached to his bowling credentials but throughout his career for India, he played as a definite match winner and one of the most reliable guy in the team with incredible cricketing sense.
15) Indian Cricket Team Meets Nelson Mandela
India cricket team players Mohammad Azharudin, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid meet president of South Africa Nelson Mandela. Mandela was a open hearted supporter of sports, he believed that sport has the potential and unite the world in diverse colors. Mandela was himself an amatuer boxer in his youth days.
There are many more great images that capture some of the most memorable events in Indian cricket history. These moments and players involved certainly shaped the journey for Indian cricket team. Today, in modern era, the team stands far away from themes and lifestyle of those days, all of this progress and a new method of playing cricket has been a result of Indian cricket team taking a step and making histories throughout 20th century.
