The winter of 1952 marked a significant phase in India’s journey toward becoming a competitive Test nation. After battling through the early matches of England’s tour, India arrived at Green Park, Kanpur, determined to deliver a stronger performance. The venue, known for its dry surface and slow turn, offered conditions that traditionally favored India’s spin-heavy attack led by Vinoo Mankad, Ghulam Ahmed, and Gopalaswamy Kasturirangan.
England, captained by Nigel Howard, entered the Test with confidence, powered by their strong batting lineup featuring Len Hutton, Denis Compton, and Tom Graveney. The challenge for India was to counter England’s technical superiority with discipline, grit, and the growing maturity of their young batting unit.
What followed over six days was a fascinating contest of patience, resistance, and strategic cricket. England’s first innings was a display of classical batting, while India responded with determination to avoid collapse. The match eventually ended in a hard-earned draw, but it showcased the evolving character of Indian cricket—resilient, methodical, and increasingly competitive against the world’s best.
The Kanpur Test will be remembered as a battle of attrition, marked by steady scoring, long partnerships, disciplined bowling spells, and a pitch that slowly wore down but never fully broke apart to force a firm result.
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs England – 4th Test, 1951–52 Series |
| Dates | January 12–17, 1952 |
| Venue | Green Park, Kanpur |
| Toss | England won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | Match Drawn |
| Match Format | 5-day Test (with rest day) |
| Umpires | B. S. Bapat & M. V. Chandgadkar |
Team Lineups
| India (Playing XI) | England (Playing XI) |
|---|---|
| Vijay Hazare (Captain) | Nigel Howard (Captain) |
| Pankaj Roy | Len Hutton |
| Datta Gaekwad | Reg Simpson |
| Vijay Manjrekar | Tom Graveney |
| Polly Umrigar | Denis Compton |
| Dattu Phadkar | Godfrey Evans (wk) |
| Probir Sen (wk) | Donald Carr |
| Vinoo Mankad | Jim Laker |
| Ghulam Ahmed | Brian Statham |
| Rusi Modi | Tony Lock |
| G. Kasturirangan | Fred Trueman |
ENGLAND 1st INNINGS – 203 all out
England started watchfully, with Len Hutton anchoring the innings while India’s spinners settled into rhythm. Despite small partnerships, England could not break free due to persistent pressure from Vinoo Mankad and Ghulam Ahmed, who shared seven wickets between them. Compton’s fluent 43 and Hutton’s patient 49 were the highlights, but India restricted England to a modest total.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Len Hutton | 49 | b Mankad |
| Reg Simpson | 18 | c Sen b Kasturirangan |
| Tom Graveney | 16 | c Modi b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Denis Compton | 43 | lbw b Mankad |
| Nigel Howard (c) | 11 | c Roy b Phadkar |
| Donald Carr | 6 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Godfrey Evans (wk) | 14 | c Hazare b Mankad |
| Jim Laker | 9 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Tony Lock | 4 | c Phadkar b Mankad |
| Brian Statham | 12 | not out |
| Fred Trueman | 9 | c Sen b Phadkar |
| Extras | 12 | |
| Total | 203 all out | (87.4 overs) |
India Bowling:
Mankad 4/53, Ghulam Ahmed 3/46, Phadkar 2/25, Kasturirangan 1/30
INDIA 1st INNINGS -182 all out
India’s reply was anchored by Vijay Manjrekar, whose classy 52 stood out on a surface that began to assist spin. However, regular wickets at the other end prevented India from overtaking England’s score. Polly Umrigar and Hazare added useful runs, but the English spin duo of Laker and Lock proved difficult to negotiate.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Pankaj Roy | 18 | c Evans b Trueman |
| Datta Gaekwad | 10 | b Statham |
| Vijay Manjrekar | 52 | lbw b Lock |
| Vijay Hazare (c) | 21 | c Howard b Laker |
| Polly Umrigar | 27 | c Compton b Laker |
| Dattu Phadkar | 16 | c Carr b Statham |
| Rusi Modi | 8 | b Lock |
| Probir Sen (wk) | 6 | c Evans b Lock |
| Vinoo Mankad | 9 | b Laker |
| Ghulam Ahmed | 4 | run out |
| G. Kasturirangan | 1 | not out |
| Extras | 10 | |
| Total | 182 all out | (75.3 overs) |
England Bowling:
Laker 4/40, Lock 3/49, Statham 2/39, Trueman 1/29
ENGLAND 2nd INNINGS – 296/4 declared
England’s second innings was a masterclass in Test match batting. Len Hutton (86) and Tom Graveney (83) put on a sublime partnership that wrestled control away from India. The pitch slowed down considerably, reducing assistance for bowlers and allowing England to accumulate steadily.
Captain Howard declared at 296/4, setting India a challenging final-day target and giving their bowlers enough time.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Len Hutton | 86 | b Mankad |
| Reg Simpson | 42 | c Modi b Phadkar |
| Tom Graveney | 83 | not out |
| Denis Compton | 31 | c Roy b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Nigel Howard (c) | 39 | not out |
| Extras | 15 | |
| Total | 296/4 declared | (123 overs) |
India Bowling:
Mankad 1/75, Ghulam Ahmed 1/61, Phadkar 1/48, Kasturirangan 0/52
INDIA 2nd INNINGS – 182/5 (Match Drawn)
Facing over two sessions of disciplined English bowling, India needed to bat with determination to save the Test. Pankaj Roy (47) and Manjrekar (38) laid the platform, while Hazare and Umrigar ensured there were no late collapses.
The match ended in a well-fought draw, reflecting India’s resilience under pressure.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Pankaj Roy | 47 | c Evans b Lock |
| Datta Gaekwad | 21 | b Trueman |
| Vijay Manjrekar | 38 | c Graveney b Laker |
| Vijay Hazare (c) | 33 | not out |
| Polly Umrigar | 19 | b Lock |
| Dattu Phadkar | 14 | not out |
| Rusi Modi | did not bat | |
| Probir Sen (wk) | did not bat | |
| Vinoo Mankad | did not bat | |
| Ghulam Ahmed | did not bat | |
| G. Kasturirangan | did not bat | |
| Extras | 10 | |
| Total | 182/5 | (70 overs) |
England Bowling:
Lock 2/46, Laker 1/42, Trueman 1/41, Statham 0/28
Result: Match Drawn
England dominated most of the match, but India’s disciplined batting ensured that the visitors could not claim the win at Kanpur.
Highlight of the Match:
- Len Hutton’s classical 86 and Tom Graveney’s elegant 83 highlighted England’s strong second innings.
- Vijay Manjrekar was India’s best batsman across both innings.
- Vinoo Mankad and Ghulam Ahmed bowled tirelessly on a slow, unresponsive surface.
- India’s second-innings resistance ensured a confidence-boosting draw.
- The match showcased India’s improved temperament in saving difficult situations.