October 1952 marked one of the defining chapters in Indian cricket history. Just five years after Partition, India hosted Pakistan for the first-ever Test series between the two new nations. The buildup was immense, the rivalry fresh, and the atmosphere electric as both sides entered the Feroz Shah Kotla ground in Delhi for the opening Test from October 16 to 19, 1952.
Led by Lala Amarnath, India approached the contest with determination and emotional significance. For Pakistan, captained by the experienced A. H. Kardar, this was their maiden Test tour of India, the start of a cricketing rivalry that would grow into one of the most intense in world sport.
What followed was a dominant performance from India, powered by exceptional batting from Hemu Adhikari and Vijay Hazare, combined with the bowling wizardry of Vinoo Mankad, who produced one of the greatest match performances of his Test career.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs. Pakistan – 1st Test |
| Dates | 16-19 October 1952 |
| Venue | Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, Delhi |
| Toss | Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | India won by an innings and 70 runs |
| Match Format | 5-day Test |
| Umpires | M. G. Vijaya Rao & T. V. Ramaswamy |
| Significance | First India-Pakistan Test match; India’s first Test victory over Pakistan |
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 | Mahmood Hussain |
| Gul Mohammad | Khan Mohammad |
| Ghulam Ahmed | Fazal Mahmood |
| Probir Sen (wk) | Anwar Hussain |
| Ramchand | Shujauddin |
Pakistan 1st Innings – 150 all out
Pakistan, choosing to bat first under hazy Delhi skies, struggled from the outset. India’s spinners quickly took command, with Vinoo Mankad (8/52) delivering one of his finest bowling displays. His drift, turn, and accuracy were too much for Pakistan’s inexperienced batting order.
Only Hanif Mohammad (51) showed resistance with a patient half-century, but regular wickets prevented any substantial partnerships. Mankad’s brilliance wrapped up Pakistan for 150, giving India early control.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Hanif Mohammad | 51 | c Adhikari b Mankad |
| Nazar Mohammad | 27 | b Phadkar |
| A. H. Kardar (c) | 13 | b Mankad |
| Abdul Kadir | 9 | c Sen b Mankad |
| Maqsood Ahmed | 5 | b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Imtiaz Ahmed (wk) | 6 | b Mankad |
| Mahmood Hussain | 3 | b Mankad |
| Khan Mohammad | 7 | c Ramchand b Mankad |
| Fazal Mahmood | 4 | b Mankad |
| Anwar Hussain | 7 | c Hazare b Ghulam Ahmed |
| Shujauddin | 0* | Not out |
| Total | 150 all out | (approx. 57 overs) |
India 1st Innings – 372/7 declared
India batted with authority and purpose. The innings was built around a superb partnership between Hemu Adhikari (81) and Vijay Hazare (76), who combined discipline with elegant strokeplay. Their calm control over Pakistan’s medium-pace attack set the tone for a commanding reply.
Lower down the order, Ghulam Ahmed (50)* and Polly Umrigar (43) added valuable runs, stretching India’s lead well past 200. The disciplined batting allowed Lala Amarnath to declare at 372/7, giving India a massive lead of 222 runs.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Pankaj Roy | 32 | b Fazal Mahmood |
| Lala Amarnath (c) | 22 | c Imtiaz b Fazal Mahmood |
| Vijay Hazare | 76 | c Kardar b Khan Mohammad |
| Polly Umrigar | 43 | b Mahmood Hussain |
| Hemu Adhikari | 81 | c Nazar Mohammad b Fazal Mahmood |
| Gul Mohammad | 25 | c Imtiaz b Anwar Hussain |
| Dattu Phadkar | 17 | b Fazal Mahmood |
| Ghulam Ahmed | 50* | Not out |
| Probir Sen (wk) | 5* | Not out |
| Extras | 21 | |
| Total | 372/7 declared |
Pakistan 2nd Innings – 152 all out
Facing a huge deficit of 222, Pakistan needed a special effort to stay afloat, but Mankad had other ideas. He struck early and often, removing key batsmen and breaking partnerships before they could settle.
Even though Maqsood Ahmed (33) and Anwar Hussain (31) showed resistance, the outcome was inevitable. Mankad finished with 4/53 in the second innings, giving him 12 wickets in the match, a legendary performance.
Pakistan was bowled out for 152, giving India victory by an innings and 70 runs, a landmark achievement in early Indian cricket.
India won by an innings and 70 runs
Highlights of the Match
- The first-ever Test match between India and Pakistan became a historic turning point.
- Vinoo Mankad’s 12 wickets (8/52 & 4/53) ranked among the finest match figures in Indian Test history.
- Vijay Hazare (76) and Hemu Adhikari (81) built the foundation for India’s commanding lead.
- Ghulam Ahmed’s unbeaten 50* added valuable lower-order stability.
- Hanif Mohammad’s gritty 51 showed early signs of the legend he would become.
- India’s victory strengthened its position as a developing force in world cricket.
- The match launched the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry, a cornerstone of global cricket history.