Cricket is an emotion for the people living in Indian subcontinent. The game has reached to even the most remote places in India today. The powerhouse of world cricket boasts of a great team, and the richest board. However, it was not always the case. The perks of being at the top which India enjoys today, is a result of many such small steps taken by legends of the game who went unknown. Out of these many small steps, was the first ever test victory for independant India.

Not many know that it was not just the first victory for Independant India, it was also overall the first test victory since India started to play red ball cricket. India started to play cricket while the country was still under the British rule. Out of the very few good things British brought here was the gentlemen's game. Cricket was played by royal family members mostly in the first quarter of 20th century. It was only in 1932 when India acquired the status of test playing nation.

England hosted the one odd test match for India to help the team play their first test match. Thereafter, 3 more series happened with England, with one hosted by India and other 2 by England. Prior to India's independence, only 4 test match series were held, all against England. Post India's independence as a sovereign state, Australia hosted India in 1947/48. It was the first time when India played with any other nation than England. India lost the series, and lost to West Indies in 1948/49. It was only in 1952 when India managed to draw a series, and in process they registered their first ever test victory.

Madras Cricket club was the place where history was created by the Indian team, as they defeated England, registering their first ever test victory. In the two decades since India played tests, India played only 7 series. Those were the days where matches were less but interesting, unlike now when too much cricket is killing interest of the fans. It was only in the India's 7th test series, when they won their first match. Interestingly enough, it was the 1st series when India were playing England post their independence. And all the earlier 4 occasion where the two met, English team won the series. Seems like India were waiting to be independent to defeat the country which ruled them for 2 centuries.

10th February, 1952 was the golden day. The series of 5 matches happening in India saw England win one match, and resulted in three draws. The 5th and the last match between 6-10 February was the one for India to create history. Winning the toss, Englishmen chose to bat, knowing the turning wicket at Madras Cricket Club. Dick Spooner and Jack Robertson 's half centuries and handy contributions from Lowson and Graveney helped England reach a decent total of 266 runs. England were looking good with 224/5 on the first day, but Indian bowlers had different plans. Vinoo Mankad was the hero for India as he pierced into the English batting line-up scalping 8 wickets, including the crucial wickets of Spooner and Robertson.

In response to England's 266, India started really well. Pankaj Roy starred for India on day 2, and his magnificent innings of 111 runs helped India reach a formidable total of 206/4 on day 2. With Dattu Phadkar and Lala Amarnath on the crease, the third day started. And the heroes for India on day 3 were Phadkar, who scored 61 runs and Polly Umigrar, who played a phenomenal knock of unbeaten 130 runs. Centuries from Roy and Umigrar, combined with Phadkar's half century helped India reach to a good total of 457 runs for 9 wickets. With a good lead of 191 runs, India decided to declare the innings and test the English batters for the last half hour of day 3.

The English scorecard showed 12/0 by the end of day 3. And then, 10th February 1952 brought the first glory for India. With a sufficient lead, India started well on day 4. Once again, India's bowlers did the trick. The star of first innings, Vinoo Mankad alongside Ghulam Ahmed rattled the English batting line-up, grabbing 4 wickets each. Barring the first 2 wickets, all the other were scalped by these two. Englishmen collapsed like pack of cards. Barring Robertson and Watkins, none of them could survive Indian bowling duo for long. As Hilton was stumped by Khokhan Sen off Mankad's bowling, the Indians erupted in joy of winning their first ever test match.

The Madras Cricket Ground witnessed the first every test victory by Indian team, and this victory coming against the country which ruled India for so long, made it even more special. Indians rejoiced for the first time for a sport, which later on would become their most popular one. Captain Vijay Hazare went into the history books as the first ever captain to lead India to a test victory. Vinoo Mankad, Umigrar, Roy, Phadkar, Ahmed were the architects of this victory. Vijay Hazare and his men did it. The victory also meant that the series was tied, and it was the first occasion when India tied a test series. This victory was special in a lot of ways, as it laid the foundation of test cricket even stronger in India. This victory paved the way to many more victories for Indian team in future, which all eventually led to make India the team it is today. On the 76th Independence Day, we salute all these brave men who pioneered victorious Indian cricket.