After the long interruption caused by World War II, international cricket resumed with renewed enthusiasm. For India, this was more than just another tour—it was a moment of rebirth. In June 1946, under the leadership of Iftikhar Ali Khan, the Nawab of Pataudi Sr., India stepped onto the hallowed turf of Lord’s to play their first Test match in nearly a decade. Facing an England side led by the experienced Wally Hammond, India aimed to re-establish their presence on the world stage.
Despite a difficult start, the match marked a significant milestone in India’s cricketing journey, symbolizing resilience and the dawn of a new era for the soon-to-be independent nation.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | England vs. India |
| Dates | 22–25 June 1946 |
| Venue | Lord’s Cricket Ground, London |
| Toss | England won the toss and elected to field |
| Result | England won by 10 wickets |
| Match Format | 3-day Test Match |
| Umpires | F. J. Chester & H. B. W. Gwyther |
| Debut/Significance | India’s first Test after World War II; return to international cricket |
Team Lineups
| India (Playing XI) | England (Playing XI) |
|---|---|
| Nawab of Pataudi Sr. (Captain) | Wally Hammond (Captain) |
| Vijay Merchant | Len Hutton |
| Vinoo Mankad | Cyril Washbrook |
| Mushtaq Ali | Denis Compton |
| Rusi Modi | Joe Hardstaff Jr. |
| Lala Amarnath | Paul Gibb |
| Vijay Hazare | Norman Yardley |
| C. S. Nayudu | Jack Ikin |
| Dattu Phadkar | Godfrey Evans (Wk) |
| Amir Elahi | Bill Voce |
| Shute Banerjee | Alec Bedser |
England 1st Innings – 428 all out
England began confidently after choosing to field and quickly dismissed India for a modest first-innings total. Taking full advantage of the favorable batting conditions on Day 2, England’s top order dominated, led by Joe Hardstaff Jr. with a superb 205 not out, one of the most elegant double centuries seen at Lord’s. Len Hutton and Denis Compton provided strong support, adding 57 and 78 respectively.
For India, Vinoo Mankad bowled tirelessly, taking 5 wickets for 196, displaying control and persistence on an unresponsive pitch.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Len Hutton | 57 | b Mankad |
| Cyril Washbrook | 16 | b Mankad |
| Denis Compton | 78 | c Merchant b Hazare |
| Wally Hammond (c) | 11 | b Mankad |
| Joe Hardstaff Jr. | 205* | Not out |
| Norman Yardley | 10 | b Mankad |
| Paul Gibb | 16 | c Pataudi b Hazare |
| Godfrey Evans (wk) | 16 | b Mankad |
| Jack Ikin | 2 | c Merchant b Hazare |
| Alec Bedser | 6 | c Modi b Hazare |
| Bill Voce | 0 | Run out |
| Extras | 11 | |
| Total | 428 all out (172.1 overs) |
India 1st Innings – 200 all out
India’s first innings began shakily against the pace of Alec Bedser, who was making his Test debut. His late swing and control proved too much for the visitors, as he claimed 7 wickets for 49, a sensational performance that announced his arrival on the world stage.
Vijay Merchant stood tall amidst the collapse, scoring a determined 78, while Mushtaq Ali contributed 24 in a brief counterattack. The rest of the batting lineup failed to offer substantial resistance.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Vijay Merchant | 78 | c Evans b Bedser |
| Mushtaq Ali | 24 | b Bedser |
| Nawab of Pataudi (c) | 3 | lbw b Bedser |
| Vijay Hazare | 4 | b Bedser |
| Lala Amarnath | 6 | b Bedser |
| Rusi Modi | 15 | c Yardley b Bedser |
| Vinoo Mankad | 9 | b Bedser |
| C. S. Nayudu | 7 | b Bedser |
| Dattu Phadkar | 11 | c Compton b Voce |
| Amir Elahi | 12 | c Washbrook b Voce |
| Shute Banerjee | 5* | Not out |
| Extras | 26 | |
| Total | 200 all out (82 overs) |
India 2nd Innings – 275 all out (Following on)
Asked to follow on, India fared better in their second innings. Vijay Hazare displayed his classic technique, scoring a composed 43, while Lala Amarnath (50) and Rusi Modi (48) offered strong resistance. However, Bedser once again proved unplayable, taking 4 more wickets to complete match figures of 11 for 96.
India’s total of 275 left England needing just 48 runs to win.
England 2nd Innings – 49/0
England chased down the modest target without losing a wicket. Len Hutton (25)* and Cyril Washbrook (21)* saw their team home comfortably, giving England a 10-wicket victory and a 1–0 lead in the one-off Test series.
Highlights of the Match
- This was India’s first Test match after World War II, marking their return to international cricket after 12 years.
- Alec Bedser, on debut, took 11 wickets (7/49 & 4/96), one of the best debut performances in Test history.
- Joe Hardstaff Jr.’s unbeaten 205 was a masterclass in patience and precision.
- Despite defeat, Vinoo Mankad’s 5-wicket haul stood out as a sign of India’s emerging all-round quality.
- The match symbolized the beginning of a new era, as India prepared to step into independence the following year.
