Just weeks after suffering a heavy defeat at Lucknow, India returned with renewed purpose as the 1952 Indo-Pak Test series moved to the iconic Brabourne Stadium, Bombay, from November 13 to 16, 1952. With the series level at 1–1, the third Test carried immense significance, and India responded with one of their most clinical performances of the decade.
Under the steady leadership of Lala Amarnath, India produced a disciplined, all-round display, highlighted by magnificent bowling from Vinoo Mankad and Ghulam Ahmed, and composed batting from Pankaj Roy and Polly Umrigar. Pakistan, led by A. H. Kardar, struggled against India’s spinners on a pitch that gradually deteriorated.
India eventually sealed a dominant 10-wicket win, regaining control of the series.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs. Pakistan – 3rd Test |
| Dates | 13–16 November 1952 |
| Venue | Brabourne Stadium, Bombay |
| Toss | Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | India won by 10 wickets |
| Match Format | 5-day Test |
| Umpires | M. G. Vijaya Rao & T. V. Ramaswamy |
| Significance | India took a 2–1 lead in the 1952 series |
Team Lineups
| India (Playing XI) | Pakistan (Playing XI) |
|---|---|
| Lala Amarnath (c) | Abdul Hafeez Kardar (c) |
| Pankaj Roy | Nazar Mohammad |
| Vijay Hazare | Hanif Mohammad |
| Polly Umrigar | Abdul Kadir |
| Hemu Adhikari | Maqsood Ahmed |
| Vinoo Mankad | Imtiaz Ahmed (wk) |
| Dattu Phadkar | Fazal Mahmood |
| Gul Mohammad | Mahmood Hussain |
| Ghulam Ahmed | Khan Mohammad |
| Probir Sen (wk) | Shujauddin |
| Ramchand | Anwar Hussain |
Pakistan 1st Innings – 186 all out
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat, but India’s spinners took early control. Vinoo Mankad (4/22) bowled beautifully with flight and precision, while Ghulam Ahmed (3/27) provided excellent support.
Pakistan’s top order struggled against the turning ball, though Imtiaz Ahmed (44) and Kardar (32) fought hard to add respectability to the total.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Nazar Mohammad | 7 | b Mankad |
| Hanif Mohammad | 30 | c Hazare b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Abdul Kadir | 2 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Maqsood Ahmed | 15 | b Mankad |
| A. H. Kardar | 32 | c Umrigar b Phadkar |
| Imtiaz Ahmed (wk) | 44 | b Mankad |
| Fazal Mahmood | 8 | b Mankad |
| Mahmood Hussain | 11 | c Sen b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Khan Mohammad | 9 | b Ramchand |
| Shujauddin | 6 | Run out |
| Anwar Hussain | 4* | Not out |
| Total | 186 all out |
India 1st Innings – 437 all out
India’s response was powerful and disciplined. Pankaj Roy (140) played one of the finest knocks of his career, combining patience with elegant strokeplay. His innings provided the anchor, while Polly Umrigar (77) and Vijay Hazare (52) ensured Pakistan’s bowlers remained under pressure throughout.
The last few wickets added valuable runs as India built a huge lead of 251 runs, a match-defining advantage.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Pankaj Roy | 140 | c Kardar b Fazal |
| Lala Amarnath (c) | 26 | b Mahmood Hussain |
| Vijay Hazare | 52 | c Imtiaz b Fazal |
| Polly Umrigar | 77 | c Nazar b Khan Mohammad |
| Hemu Adhikari | 36 | b Mahmood Hussain |
| Gul Mohammad | 25 | lbw Fazal |
| Vinoo Mankad | 15 | c Imtiaz b Anwar Hussain |
| Dattu Phadkar | 23 | c Hanif b Fazal |
| Ghulam Ahmed | 14 | b Fazal |
| Probir Sen (wk) | 10 | c Kardar b Mahmood Hussain |
| Ramchand | 6* | Not out |
| Extras | 13 | |
| Total | 437 all out |
Pakistan 2nd Innings – 157 all out
Facing a huge deficit, Pakistan needed a monumental effort, but India’s spinners proved too strong once again. Ghulam Ahmed (4/46) and Mankad (3/67) continued their dominance, striking at regular intervals.
Only Hanif Mohammad (43) showed notable resistance, but the rest of the batting order collapsed under relentless pressure.
Pakistan were bowled out for 157, leaving India needing just 7 runs to win.
India 2nd Innings – 7/0
A simple task remained. Opening the innings, Pankaj Roy and Lala Amarnath knocked off the small target of 7 runs without losing a wicket, sealing India’s emphatic victory.
India won by 10 wickets
Highlights of the Match
- India produced a complete team performance to dominate all four days.
- Pankaj Roy’s superb 140 laid the foundation for India’s huge first-innings total.
- Vinoo Mankad (7 wickets in the match) continued his outstanding series.
- Ghulam Ahmed (7 wickets in the match) proved equally lethal on a turning pitch.
- Pakistan’s batting struggled in both innings, especially against spin.
- India took a 2–1 lead in the historic first-ever Test series between the two nations.