The early months of 1953 saw India touring the West Indies for a challenging five-Test series. After setbacks in the opening two matches, India entered the 3rd Test at Bourda, Georgetown, from February 25 to March 2, 1953, determined to restore pride and compete on equal terms.
The West Indies, led by John Goddard, were one of the strongest cricketing sides of the era, boasting batting giants like Everton Weekes, Frank Worrell, and the dependable Jeffrey Stollmeyer. India, under Vijay Hazare, fought with grit and discipline, producing one of their finest overseas defensive efforts of the decade.
The match ended in a hard-earned draw, with India showcasing determination, patience, and resilience against a powerful West Indian attack.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | West Indies vs India – 3rd Test |
| Dates | 25 February – 2 March 1953 |
| Venue | Bourda Cricket Ground, Georgetown, British Guiana |
| Toss | West Indies won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | Match Drawn |
| Match Format | 5-day Test |
| Umpires | J. C. Lawrence & E. Christiani |
| Significance | India’s first drawn Test on the 1953 Caribbean tour; strong fightback against WI batting power |
Team Lineups
| India (Playing XI) | West Indies (Playing XI) |
|---|---|
| Vijay Hazare (c) | John Goddard (c) |
| Pankaj Roy | Jeffrey Stollmeyer |
| Polly Umrigar | Allan Rae |
| Vinoo Mankad | Everton Weekes |
| Hemu Adhikari | Frank Worrell |
| Ghulam Ahmed | Clyde Walcott |
| Dattu Phadkar | Gerry Gomez |
| Gul Mohammad | Denis Atkinson |
| Probir Sen (wk) | Clifford McWatt (wk) |
| Ramchand | Alf Valentine |
| Subhash Gupte | Sonny Ramadhin |
West Indies 1st Innings – 424 all out
Winning the toss on a good batting surface, the West Indies began strongly. Openers Allan Rae (84) and Jeffrey Stollmeyer (56) provided a solid platform. The middle order capitalized brilliantly, led by:
- Everton Weekes – 141 (masterful strokeplay, flawless timing)
- Frank Worrell – 65 (elegant, patient, steady influence)
India’s bowlers fought hard, with Subhash Gupte (5/162) bowling with exceptional control and flight. Mankad supported him well, but the West Indies’ deep batting lineup pushed the total to 424, giving them early command.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Allan Rae | 84 | c Sen b Gupte |
| Stollmeyer | 56 | c Roy b Mankad |
| Everton Weekes | 141 | c Phadkar b Gupte |
| Frank Worrell | 65 | c Umrigar b Mankad |
| Clyde Walcott | 22 | c Hazare b Gupte |
| Gerry Gomez | 18 | b Gupte |
| Denis Atkinson | 9 | lbw Gupte |
| John Goddard (c) | 6 | b Mankad |
| Clifford McWatt (wk) | 5 | c Ramchand b Mankad |
| Sonny Ramadhin | 4 | Not out |
| Alf Valentine | 2 | b Gupte |
| Total | 424 all out |
India 1st Innings – 289 all out
India’s reply started positively with Pankaj Roy (55) and Polly Umrigar (44) laying a strong base. The standout performer was Vinoo Mankad (72) who displayed exceptional patience, countering spin and pace with equal skill.
Captain Vijay Hazare (37) and Ghulam Ahmed (28) offered support, but West Indies’ spinners Ramadhin and Valentine chipped away crucial wickets.
India were bowled out for 289, conceding a lead of 135 runs.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Pankaj Roy | 55 | c Weekes b Valentine |
| Vijay Hazare (c) | 37 | b Ramadhin |
| Polly Umrigar | 44 | lbw Ramadhin |
| Vinoo Mankad | 72 | c Walcott b Atkinson |
| Hemu Adhikari | 23 | c Worrell b Gomez |
| Ghulam Ahmed | 28 | c Stollmeyer b Valentine |
| Phadkar | 12 | lbw Gomez |
| Gul Mohammad | 7 | b Valentine |
| Probir Sen (wk) | 6 | c McWatt b Atkinson |
| Ramchand | 4 | b Valentine |
| Subhash Gupte | 1* | Not out |
| Total | 289 all out |
West Indies 2nd Innings – 182/7 declared
With a lead of 135, the hosts pushed for quick runs. Worrell (48) and Weekes (42) again looked fluent, while Rae chipped in with 28.
India’s bowlers tightened their lines, with Mankad (3/63) and Gupte (2/55) slowing the scoring.
West Indies declared at 182/7, setting India a target of 318 on a difficult final-day pitch.
India 2nd Innings – 212/5 (Match Drawn)
The final innings of the match showcased India’s grit and determination. Facing a challenging target, India prioritized survival.
- Pankaj Roy – 67 (anchored the innings superbly)
- Polly Umrigar – 49 (calm, composed, steady)
- Vijay Hazare – 34 (experienced resistance)
The West Indies’ famed spin twins Ramadhin and Valentine created pressure, but India’s batters held firm. Bad light and defensive batting ensured the match ended in a well-earned draw, giving India confidence for the remainder of the series.
Match Drawn
Highlights of the Match
- India survived a difficult final day to earn a courageous draw.
- Everton Weekes’ magnificent 141 was the innings of the match.
- Subhash Gupte’s 5/162 highlighted his world-class leg-spin mastery.
- Vinoo Mankad’s all-round performance (72 & 3 wickets) strengthened India’s fight.
- Pankaj Roy’s combined scores showed remarkable temperament under pressure.
- The match helped India regain confidence against a formidable West Indian side.