In mid-August 1936, India’s first-ever full Test series in England drew to a close at The Oval in London. After a spirited draw at Old Trafford, hopes were high that C. K. Nayudu and his men could build on their growing confidence. However, against a strong England side led by Gubby Allen, India’s challenge faltered despite several fine individual performances.
The hosts outplayed India to win by 9 wickets, taking the series 2–0. Yet, this Test also showcased glimpses of India’s evolving batting talent and the emergence of all-rounders who could compete on the international stage.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | England vs. India |
| Dates | 15–18 August 1936 |
| Venue | The Oval, London |
| Toss | England won the toss and elected to field |
| Result | England won by 9 wickets |
| Match Format | 4-day Test Match |
| Umpires | F. Chester & H. L. Gillet |
| Series Result | England won the 3-match series 2–0 |
| Significance | Final Test of India’s 1936 England tour |
Team Lineups
| India (Playing XI) | England (Playing XI) |
|---|---|
| Maharajkumar of Vizianagram (Captain) | Gubby Allen (Captain) |
| Vijay Merchant | Cyril Walters |
| Mushtaq Ali | Stan Worthington |
| Dilawar Hussain (Wicket-keeper) | Wally Hammond |
| C. K. Nayudu | Joe Hardstaff Jr. |
| Cotah Ramaswami | Maurice Leyland |
| Syed Wazir Ali | Eddie Paynter |
| Lala Amarnath | Leslie Ames (Wicket-keeper) |
| Amar Singh | Hedley Verity |
| Jahangir Khan | Bill Voce |
| M. Baqa Jilani | Ken Farnes |
India 1st Innings – 222 all out
India’s innings showed promise early on, with Lala Amarnath (118) standing tall amidst regular wicket falls. His brilliant century – the only one by an Indian in the match – featured elegant strokeplay and firm defence. However, England’s Bill Voce (5/66) and Hedley Verity (4/55) ensured India couldn’t capitalize, bundling them out for 222.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Mushtaq Ali | 16 | c Walters b Allen |
| Vijay Merchant | 9 | c Ames b Farnes |
| Maharajkumar of Vizianagram (c) | 1 | b Verity |
| Lala Amarnath | 118 | b Voce |
| C. K. Nayudu | 12 | b Verity |
| Cotah Ramaswami | 18 | b Voce |
| Syed Wazir Ali | 15 | b Verity |
| Dilawar Hussain (wk) | 14 | c Paynter b Voce |
| Amar Singh | 6 | c Ames b Voce |
| Jahangir Khan | 0 | b Verity |
| M. Baqa Jilani | 2* | not out |
| Extras | 11 | – |
| Total | 222 all out (92.3 overs) | – |
England 1st Innings – 471 all out
England’s reply was dominant. Wally Hammond (167) and Maurice Leyland (134) shared a commanding partnership, taking the game away from India. Amar Singh (4/136) and Mohammad Nissar (3/104) worked hard for breakthroughs, but England’s lead swelled to 249.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Cyril Walters | 39 | c Merchant b Amar Singh |
| Stan Worthington | 43 | b Nissar |
| Wally Hammond | 167 | c Hussain b Nissar |
| Joe Hardstaff Jr. | 22 | b Jahangir Khan |
| Eddie Paynter | 44 | b Amar Singh |
| Maurice Leyland | 134 | b Amar Singh |
| Leslie Ames (wk) | 6 | b Nissar |
| Gubby Allen (c) | 7 | b Amar Singh |
| Hedley Verity | 2* | not out |
| Bill Voce | 3 | c Nayudu b Jilani |
| Ken Farnes | 1 | b Jilani |
| Extras | 3 | – |
| Total | 471 all out (154.1 overs) | – |
India 2nd Innings – 312 all out (follow-on)
Following on 249 runs behind, India mounted a strong comeback. Vijay Merchant (51) and Amar Singh (48) fought hard, but England’s Hedley Verity (4/66) and Gubby Allen (3/59) struck at crucial moments.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Mushtaq Ali | 17 | c Paynter b Verity |
| Vijay Merchant | 51 | c Ames b Allen |
| Maharajkumar of Vizianagram (c) | 3 | b Verity |
| Lala Amarnath | 71 | c Leyland b Allen |
| C. K. Nayudu | 16 | c Walters b Allen |
| Cotah Ramaswami | 24 | c Leyland b Verity |
| Syed Wazir Ali | 26 | c Ames b Verity |
| Dilawar Hussain (wk) | 22 | b Voce |
| Amar Singh | 48 | b Farnes |
| Jahangir Khan | 9 | not out |
| M. Baqa Jilani | 4 | c Hammond b Farnes |
| Extras | 21 | – |
| Total | 312 all out (130 overs) | – |
England 2nd Innings – 64 / 1 (Target 62)
England cruised to victory with minimal fuss, sealing the series 2-0.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Cyril Walters | 26 | c Hussain b Amar Singh |
| Stan Worthington | 23 * | not out |
| Wally Hammond | 12 * | not out |
| Extras | 3 | – |
| Total | 64 / 1 – England won by 9 wickets | – |
Highlights of The Match
- Lala Amarnath’s 118 in the first innings was India’s lone century of the match and a masterclass of patience.
- Amar Singh (4/136 & 48) was India’s standout all-rounder.
- Mohammad Nissar (3/104) continued to impress as India’s pace spearhead.
- England’s Wally Hammond (167) and Maurice Leyland (134) dominated with the bat.
- Despite the defeat, India’s batting resilience in the follow-on was widely praised in British newspapers as a “gallant effort under pressure.”
