Cricket milestone

MILESTONES are curious things in cricket. Round numbers – such as 50, the century, 10-wicket hauls and career runs in multiples of 1 000 allow a measure of achievement in a sport.

They also offer a moment’s pause to reflect. As India started its 500th Test – a milestone 84 years in the making – it seems apposite to assess its legacy in the game’s classical form.

It is also germane to consider the future, given the fear in some quarters that the shorter versions will cannibalise Test cricket.

There was certainly nothing in the early years to suggest India would become the superpower it is today. Although the great Wally Hammond said new-ball bowler Amar Singh “came off the pitch like the crack of doom” in India’s first-ever Test, against England at Lord’s in 1932, success proved elusive. While there were moments of individual brilliance – Vijay Hazare’s twin hundreds against Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller at Adelaide in 1948, perhaps the most memorable of them – it wasn’t until 1952 that India won a Test.

It wasn’t until after the turn of the millennium that India became consistently successful. The rivalry against Australia was transformative.

India had a Golden Generation and for a period India was the world’s best team. That crown slipped subsequently, but matters have seldom appeared as encouraging as now.

If the Board of Control for Cricket in India continues being supportive – and it must be commended for laying out a 13-Test home season – the foundation for the next 500 will be suitably robust.