BAPTISM OF FIRE

This rivalry has witnessed the debuts of some of the greatest India players ever.

Lala Amarnath

One of India’s finest family legacies started at the

Bombay Gymkhana in 1933 when Lala Amarnath. on debut, hit 118 in the second innings, making him India’s first Test centurion. That Test was lost but it will be remembered for unearthing independent India’s first captain and one of the most influential figures ever.

Vijay Hazare

Known for his big hundreds, Hazare started at Lord’s in 1946 with 31 and 34. While he is credited for leading India to their first Test win against England in Madras in 1952, Hazare’s personal best came in 1947 when he hit two tons in the Adelaide Test against Don Bradman’s ‘Invincibles’.

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi

India’s true metamorphosis came under Tiger Pataudi who made his debut in Delhi in 1961. A fine fielder, Tiger was thrust into captaincy at 21, just months after a car accident that left him with one good eye. Many feel his average could have been better with two good eyes but even then India got one of their best-ever captains.

Anil Kumble

With just three wickets on debut in Manchester 1990, Kumble couldn’t have had a more tepid start to his career. But he rose to be a legend of the game, the second bowler ever to take 10 wickets in an innings after Jim Laker, who provided yeoman service to the game as team-man, captain, administrator and later as coach.

Sourav Ganguly

Picked after a disastrous Australia tour in 1992, Sourav Ganguly knew only a century (131) at Lord’s in 1996 would ensure him a permanent berth in the side. Thus was born one the finest ODI openers who later on captained India to become a force to reckon at the turn of the century.

Rahul Dravid

He failed to find a place on Lord’s honours board on debut in 1996 falling for 95 as Ganguly became talk of the town. But in that innings India found their most dependable batsman who went on to deliver historic wins in Rawalpindi and Adelaide with double centuries before leading India to series victories in England and West Indies.