On a historic day at Lord’s in June 1932, India stepped onto the global stage, becoming the sixth nation to play Test cricket. Led by the charismatic C. K. Nayudu, the team embarked on a journey that would shape the future of the sport. Though the result didn’t go their way, the match was a testament to the skill, passion, and fighting spirit of India’s pioneering cricketers. Here’s a full summary of that momentous occasion.
| Detail | Information |
| Match | England vs. India, 1st Test |
| Dates | 25-28 June 1932 |
| Venue | Lord’s Cricket Ground, London |
| Toss | England won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | England won by 158 runs |
| Match Format | 3 – day Test Match |
| Umpires | F. W. Holder & H. H. Lodge |
| Debut | 3-day Test Match |
Team Lineups
| India Team (Playing XI) | England Team (Playing XI) |
| C. K. Nayudu (Captain) | Douglas Jardine (Captain) |
| Janardan Navle (Wicket-keeper) | Percy Holmes |
| Naoomal Jaoomal | Herbert Sutcliffe |
| Wazir Ali | Walter Hammond |
| Nazir Ali | Eddie Paynter |
| Amar Singh | Charles Leyland |
| Lall Singh | Les Ames (Wicket-keeper) |
| Jahangir Khan | Stan Nichols |
| Mohammad Nissar | Hedley Verity |
| Sorabji Colah | Bill Bowes |
| Dilawar Hussain | Maurice Tate |
England 1st Innings – 259 all out
India made a stunning start, with Mohammad Nissar and Amar Singh tearing through England’s top order. Despite a recovery led by captain Douglas Jardine, India’s bowlers put on a commendable performance to bowl England out.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
| Percy Holmes | 6 | b Nissar |
| Herbert Sutcliffe | 3 | b Nissar |
| Douglas Jardine (c) | 79 | c & b Amar Singh |
| Walter Hammond | 35 | b Nissar |
| Eddie Paynter | 5 | b Amar Singh |
| Charles Leyland | 24 | b Jahangir Khan |
| Les Ames (wk) | 65 | b Amar Singh |
| Stan Nichols | 25 | b Nissar |
| Hedley Verity | 0 | b Amar Singh |
| Bill Bowes | 5* | not out |
| Maurice Tate | 5 | b Amar Singh |
| Extras | 7 | |
| Total | 259 all out | (106.5 overs) |
India 1st Innings – 189 all out
In response, India’s batsmen showed grit, with captain C. K. Nayudu top-scoring with 40. However, the English bowlers, led by Hedley Verity, ensured a handy first-innings lead for the hosts.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
| Janardan Navle (wk) | 26 | b Verity |
| Naoomal Jaoomal | 33 | b Tate |
| C. K. Nayudu (c) | 40 | b Nichols |
| Wazir Ali | 7 | b Verity |
| Nazir Ali | 13 | b Nichols |
| Lall Singh | 15 | b Verity |
| Amar Singh | 3 | b Verity |
| Sorabji Colah | 4 | b Bowes |
| Jahangir Khan | 2 | b Verity |
| Mohammad Nissar | 0 | b Bowes |
| Dilawar Hussain | 18* | not out |
| Extras | 28 | |
| Total | 189 all out |
England 2nd Innings – 275/8 declared
Douglas Jardine once again led from the front with a resilient 85, allowing England to set India a challenging target.
- Douglas Jardine (c): 85
- Eddie Paynter: 54
- Walter Hammond: 36
- Top bowler (India): Jahangir Khan – 4/60
India 2nd Innings – 187 all out
Chasing 346 to win, India fought hard but ultimately fell short. Amar Singh’s spirited 51 was the highlight of the innings, but England’s bowling attack proved too strong.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
| Janardan Navle | 5 | b Bowes |
| Naoomal Jaoomal | 25 | b Nichols |
| C. K. Nayudu (c) | 27 | b Verity |
| Wazir Ali | 39 | b Nichols |
| Nazir Ali | 6 | b Tate |
| Lall Singh | 29 | b Hammond |
| Amar Singh | 51 | b Hammond |
| Sorabji Colah | 4 | not out |
| Jahangir Khan | 4 | c Jardine b Tate |
| Mohammad Nissar | 0 | b Hammond |
| Dilawar Hussain | 0 | b Hammond |
| Extras | 3 | |
| Total | 187 all out |
England won by 158 runs.
Highlights of The Match
- Mohammad Nissar became the first Indian to take a five-wicket haul in Test cricket with his figures of 5/93 in the first innings.
- C. K. Nayudu had the honor of captaining India in its first-ever Test match.
- India’s bowlers made an immediate impact, bowling England out for 259 in the first innings, an impressive debut effort that drew praise from the English press.
- The match marked the official beginning of India’s long and storied journey in international cricket.
- India was granted Test status in 1932, becoming only the 6th team to play Test cricket after England, Australia, South Africa, the West Indies, and New Zealand.
- The invitation to play a Test match came from the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) following India’s strong performances on tours to England.
- It would take nearly 20 years for India to register its first Test victory, which came in 1952 against England in Madras (now Chennai).
