Early December 1958 witnessed one of the most gripping encounters of India’s early Test cricket era. The West Indies, led by the iconic Gerry Alexander, arrived at the Brabourne Stadium, Bombay, for the third Test of the 1958–59 series. The Caribbean side, full of flair, power, and attacking brilliance, were considered overwhelming favourites.
India, captained by Ghulam Ahmed, entered the match eager to restore pride after earlier setbacks. What followed over six days (with a rest day) was a captivating contest marked by Rohan Kanhai’s sublime batting, a heroic Indian reply led by Polly Umrigar, and disciplined bowling from both sides.
By the final day, despite twists and tense passages, the Test ended in a hard-fought draw, remembered for batting brilliance and stubborn resistance from both teams.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs West Indies – 3rd Test |
| Dates | 30 November – 5 December 1958 |
| Venue | Brabourne Stadium, Bombay |
| Toss | West Indies won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | Match Drawn |
| Match Format | 5-day Test (with rest day) |
| Umpires | C. Ramaswamy & V. K. Ramaswami |
| Significance | A classic Test featuring Kanhai’s brilliance and India’s resilient fightback |
Team Lineups
| India (Playing XI) | West Indies (Playing XI) |
|---|---|
| Ghulam Ahmed (c) | Gerry Alexander (c & wk) |
| Pankaj Roy | Conrad Hunte |
| Nari Contractor | Rohan Kanhai |
| Polly Umrigar | Gary Sobers |
| Vijay Manjrekar | Basil Butcher |
| Ramchand | Joe Solomon |
| Chandu Borde | Collie Smith |
| Subhash Gupte | Tom Dewdney |
| Bapu Nadkarni | Roy Gilchrist |
| Surendranath | Wes Hall |
| Nana Joshi (wk) | Alf Valentine |
West Indies 1st Innings – 579/9 declared
Winning the toss, West Indies chose to bat, and their top order produced a masterclass. Rohan Kanhai (256) played one of the greatest overseas innings ever witnessed in India. His strokeplay, timing, and sheer control mesmerized the crowd at Brabourne.
He received strong support from:
- Gary Sobers (106) – elegant and effortless
- Conrad Hunte (70) – solid opening foundation
- Joe Solomon (45) – steady lower-order partnership
India’s bowlers struggled against the onslaught, though Subhash Gupte (4/195) and Surendranath (3/124) remained persistent.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Conrad Hunte | 70 | b Surendranath |
| Rohan Kanhai | 256 | c Contractor b Gupte |
| Gary Sobers | 106 | b Borde |
| Basil Butcher | 29 | c Manjrekar b Surendranath |
| Joe Solomon | 45 | c Joshi b Gupte |
| Collie Smith | 8 | b Gupte |
| Gerry Alexander (c & wk) | 33 | lbw Nadkarni |
| Tom Dewdney | 6 | c Roy b Surendranath |
| Wes Hall | 4 | Not out |
| Roy Gilchrist | 0 | b Gupte |
| Alf Valentine | DNB | |
| Extras | 22 | |
| Total | 579/9 declared |
India 1st Innings – 468 all out
India responded with determination. The star of the innings was Polly Umrigar (117) who combined patience with aggression to bring India back into the match.
Key contributions included:
- Vijay Manjrekar (82) – fluent and stylish
- Nari Contractor (62) – solid at the top
- Chandu Borde (68) – aggressive middle-order push
- Pankaj Roy (45) – steady opening stand
Despite bursts of pace from Wes Hall (3/90) and swing from Gilchrist (3/88), India reached an impressive 468, reducing the deficit.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Pankaj Roy | 45 | c Sobers b Gilchrist |
| Nari Contractor | 62 | b Hall |
| Vijay Manjrekar | 82 | c Alexander b Gilchrist |
| Polly Umrigar | 117 | c Butcher b Valentine |
| Ramchand | 21 | c Hall b Sobers |
| Chandu Borde | 68 | b Hall |
| Bapu Nadkarni | 14 | c Kanhai b Gilchrist |
| Subhash Gupte | 10 | b Dewdney |
| Surendranath | 9 | lbw Sobers |
| Nana Joshi (wk) | 18* | Not out |
| Ghulam Ahmed (c) | 2 | c Alexander b Dewdney |
| Extras | 20 | |
| Total | 468 all out |
West Indies 2nd Innings – 98/3 declared
With time running out, West Indies batted briskly to set up a possible result. Conrad Hunte (41) and Gary Sobers (24) played freely before the visitors declared at 98/3, setting India a target that was out of reach in limited time.
India 2nd Innings – 140/2
India played safely to secure a draw.
- Contractor (70)* anchored the innings brilliantly
- Umrigar (40) continued his outstanding form
The match ended in a draw, a fair reflection of competitive cricket from both sides.
Match Drawn
Highlights of the Match
- Rohan Kanhai’s majestic 256 remains one of the greatest innings played on Indian soil.
- Gary Sobers added a sparkling 106, showcasing his all-round dominance.
- Polly Umrigar’s 117 and Manjrekar’s 82 kept India competitive.
- Subhash Gupte and Surendranath fought hard against a world-class batting lineup.
- India’s solid second innings ensured a well-deserved draw.
- The match showcased the resilience and evolving class of Indian cricket in the late 1950s.
- Brabourne Stadium witnessed another timeless Test epic.