40th anniversary of India beating Pakistan at Madras and winning rubber-India's greatest series win?

[Harsh Thakor]

Exactly 40 years ago on 20th January India clinched a 6 test rubber at Madras versus old foes Pakistan ,winning the fifth test by 10 wickets,Pakistan were virtually considered invincible before this series with the odds totally stacked against India.One year previously it had received a sound 2-0 thrashing in Pakistan. At that time Pakistan were considered amongst the 3 best team sin the world with West Indies and Australia.No team in recent years came so close to toppling both Australia and West Indies.Sadly it suffered a great misfortune with the loss of Packer players in England in 1978 .Pakistan boasted of the best batting line up in the world with the likes of Majid,Zaheer Miandad,Asif Iqbal and Wasim Raja.I feel it was the greatest upset ever in the history of Pakistan cricket.

 

Facing their mighty opponents India mustered its adrelanin in the 1st test itself displaying great rearguard action after Pakistan amassed a score of 431-8 wickets declared.Scoring 416 in reply it revealed the depth of it's batting.

 

In the 2nd test although skittled out for a mere 128 runs in the 1st innings and loking dead and buried with a 114 run 1st innings deficit India rose like a phoenix from the Ashes to come within touch distance of famous win chasing a target of 391 in the 4th innings.Notable that Sikander Bhakt who had ripped the heart out of India's batting in the 1st innings was injured and so too was Imran.Credit must also go to Kapil Dev for a 5 wicket spell that brought India back into the game.Dilip Vengsarkar proved that he was amonsgt the world's best batsmen with an unbeaten 146, in the 2nd innings,playing the role of a fulcrum in India giving echoes of its famous run chase at the Oval just a few months before.He executed some of the most dazzling drives revealing great elan.

 

 

In the 3rd test in Mumbai After struggling at 154-6 some magnificient resistance by Kapil Dev and Kirmanai steered India out of trouble.In the 1st innings of that game when Pakistan batted the course of the series was determined or defined with a sensational middle order collapse by Pakistan.Arguably many were victims of controversial umpiring decisions ,particularly lg-before ones.Chasing a target of 321 in the 2nd innings Pakistan succumbed to 190,again being victims of some dubious decisions.Neverthless the likes of Dilip Doshi revealed their great art as spinners who bowled some unfaceable balls.This win was like a chapter in a new script written,like an invincible army defeated.The likes of Zaheer Abbas,Majid Khan and Asif Iqbal were virtually beguiled with only Javed and Wasim Raja resisting.

 

 

 

In the 4th test India were virtually resurrected from the grave by tailenders like Karsan Ghavri after being precariously played at 69-8.Such recoveries marked anew trend in Indian cricket who in previous times would simply capitulate like a pack of cards.It was such spirited resistance by India in the gravest of times that defined the fate of this series.Pakistan too staged a brilliant recovery with great defiance by Wasim Raja .However rain robbed the game of any possibility of a result.

 

In the 5th test India maginificiently rose to the hour with the Sunil Gavaskar-Kapil Dev combination coming to the fore.These 2 stalwarts virtually defined Indian cricket and this game was a perfect illustration.Gavaskar was the architect,Kapil Dev was the executioner.Gavaskar scored a painstaking 166 bogging down the Pakistan bowling attack ,displaying supreme concentration.Kapil Dev took 4,90 and 7-76 displaying the heart of a lion and also scored a swashbucling 84.It was a revelation seeing 2 players of completely contrasting styles at their best.Gavaskar was concentration and technical correctness personified.Kapil was the epitome of agression.I can never forget how Kapil dazzled the Pakistani batsmen with his outswingers and bounce close to the bat.Spirit of surrender was virtually written on the faces of the Pakistani players on the filed who looked like a subdued army.

 

Pakistan considerably salvaged its self respect in the 6th and final test at Kolkata but again the Indian tail defied them in both innings with strong counter resistance.On the final day Pakistan semed on course for victory before the intervention of some prize scalps like Asif Iqbal and Wasim Raja.Asif Iqbal had made one of the most sporting declarations in the 1t sinning with his side still 50 runs adrift.Imran was now bowling at his best and as fiery as ever.Majid too gave glimpses of his old touch.

 

India had thus against al odds triumphed against its old adversary,winning its 1st series against them for 28 years.It was the equivalent of an invincible army being defeated.Afterall man to man Pakistan was by 2-1 a better side at the start.Arguably it was India's best series win ever if you judge the oppostition.With clinical precision India galvanized its available resources to confront its seemingly invincible neighbour.It perfectly asessed the strength and weaknesses or chinks in the armour of its opponents,sticking to the basic task in every department of the game.It was one of Sports most vivid illustrations of how cricket is played in the mind and how mental tenacity can overpower sheer talent.At every juncture when India's back was to the wall it displayed relentless courage to ressurect itself.

 

Kapil Dev gave an all-round performance in the series comparable to the greatest all-rounders ever capturing 32 wickets at 17.68 and scoring 308 run sat an average of 30.88.He had 3 five wicket hauls which perplexed the Pakistan's with his great variation,movement and intelligence wile his batting more than once came to the rescue with characteristic attacking style.Kapil was a more agressive form of Vinoo Mankad and gave Indian cricket some of its most defining moments here.Never had a pace bowler sculpted a series win before for India like Kapil Dev had.Gavaskar was an epitome of consistency who displayed his characteristic application and concentration amassing 529 runs,creating the launching pad for India's triumph .Dilip Doshi was too magnificent revealing his mastery in the art of spin bowling.Due credit must also be given to Syed kirmani for his excellent supporting role throughout .Strangely with all their experience the Pakistani batting stalwarts were often dumbfounded or perplexed to the turning ball.

Many critiques feel that dubious umpiring decisions, and injuries played key roles in Pakistan's reversal in addition to faulty selections.I could not understand how the selectors dropped Mushtaq Muhammad and Sarafraz Nawaz.Mushtaq's experience would have come in handy in a crisis while Sarfraz would have given much more potency to the subdued attack.I also attribute it to great over-confidence.Still we must congragulate India for this acheivement .In its own right it defined a new era in Indian cricket ,like a spark turning into a prairie fire.I place it only behind India's home and away series triumphs against Australia.

 

Sadly the loss caused a major storm in Pakistan and the retirement of Asif Iqbal.In my opinion it wast he biggest upset ever faced by Pakistan cricket.The hero for Pakistan was undoubtedly Wasim Raja who averaged 56.90 with some of the finest fifties when his team looked dead and buried.Javed Miandad also displayed strong resilience when batting.

 

It is very hard to conclude that India was overall the better team in the series but I feel India deserved its win.Rarely in it's history has Indian cricket garnered its forces with as much zeal as here.Whatever the Pakistani commiserations let us congragulate India today on the 4oth anniversary of it's tests series win against Pakistan.Without doubt one of the biggest upsets ever in the history of sport,let alone cricket.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 20, 2020 by Harsh Thakor

[Harsh Thakor]

Please join me and contribute on the day of one of Indian cricket's most glorious achievements.Waiting for ICF fans

[VT87]

On peepee forum ,you have written biggest upset in pak history and here you are writing greatest win for  India. Wah reh Harsh thikor 

[raki05]

16 minutes ago, VT87 said:

On peepee forum ,you have written biggest upset in pak history and here you are writing greatest win for  India. Wah reh Harsh thikor 

Yes I have seen too....he just got scared that people will bash him so changed the title here.

Edited January 20, 2020 by raki05

[Harsh Thakor]

17 minutes ago, VT87 said:

On peepee forum ,you have written biggest upset in pak history and here you are writing greatest win for  India. Wah reh Harsh thikor 

Is it not correct.Should not we be sporting?I have praised India.Please read my post and analysis

[Harsh Thakor]

2 minutes ago, raki05 said:

Yes I have seen too....he just got scared that people will bash him so changed the title here.

Was it not one of India's greatest wins today 40 years ago?

[Norman]

Dude you overhype the past padosi team and their players way too much. 

[Khota]

Winning against Pakistan is not a big deal as they are a minnow team. It ranks right there with win against SL or BD. Ofcourse this is my personal opinion.

[First class]

22 minutes ago, Khota said:

Winning against Pakistan is not a big deal as they are a minnow team. It ranks right there with win against SL or BD. Ofcourse this is my personal opinion.

Extreme of narrow mindedness, open  your heart and mind when discussing cricket. Current Indian team is a great one similarly Pak team of 1978 was a great one too. Please educate yourself before posting a random reply. Guys like you spoil the discussion. 

[putrevus]

Pakistan team and greatness don't go together in the same sentence.Pakistan had a great home record for one reason, home cooked umpiring and cheating in any possible manner starting from AH Kardar to Imran Khan.

 

Indian umpires on other hand hurt Indian team more by being overly netural.No wonder once netural umpires came into existence Indian home record took off for better and Pakistani home record became worse.

 

 

Yes Pakistan had some great moments in their history and also had few great players. 

 

Harsh stop glamorising Pakistan team.Majid Khan was not a great player by any means.

 

India has acheived lot more bigger things than winning some series in 1978 against an overrated team.

Edited January 20, 2020 by putrevus

[zen]

Why promote the cheats, who played with 13 players at home?  

[vvvslaxman]

An anniversary for this?  That too random  40 year? 

[Jimmy Cliff]

 

[First class]

1 hour ago, putrevus said:

Pakistan team and greatness don't go together in the same sentence.Pakistan had a great home record for one reason, home cooked umpiring and cheating in any possible manner starting from AH Kardar to Imran Khan.

 

Indian umpires on other hand hurt Indian team more by being overly netural.No wonder once netural umpires came into existence Indian home record took off for better and Pakistani home record became worse.

 

 

Yes Pakistan had some great moments in their history and also had few great players. 

 

Harsh stop glamorising Pakistan team.Majid Khan was not a great player by any means.

 

India has acheived lot more bigger things than winning some series in 1978 against an overrated team.

I'm sure they took their umpires with them when they beat India, England, Australia and WI in their own backyard. 

[putrevus]

8 minutes ago, First class said:

I'm sure they took their umpires with them when they beat India, England, Australia and WI in their own backyard. 

When they did they beat Australia and WI in their own backyard. Yes in India they won in 1987 for one reason Indian umpires.

 

 

[First class]

2 minutes ago, putrevus said:

When they did they beat Australia and WI in their own backyard. Yes in India they won in 1987 for one reason Indian umpires.

 

 

Overall this is the best forum to discuss cricket, with 90% poster possess good  knowledge of the game and writing skill, unfortunately some are like you. 

[nevada]

Did Imran Khan play this series or was he out playing in the packer circus? I guess the 1978 series in Pakistan finished off the careers of India's famous spin quartet or most of it and brought in late bloomer Dilip Doshi who partnered well with Kapil in bowling sides out. 

[putrevus]

5 minutes ago, First class said:

Overall this is the best forum to discuss cricket, with 90% poster possess good  knowledge of the game and writing skill, unfortunately some are like you. 

I don't need your approval for anything, I always respect good player it does not matter what country they come from  but I also don't like mediocre players and teams being praised either.

 

Pakistani home record without their home umpires is  significantly worse,Indian home record significantly rose without their own umpires. Those are facts.

 

 

[Khota]

5 hours ago, First class said:

Extreme of narrow mindedness, open  your heart and mind when discussing cricket. Current Indian team is a great one similarly Pak team of 1978 was a great one too. Please educate yourself before posting a random reply. Guys like you spoil the discussion. 

I am talking in today' context. You guys are ranked pretty low in each format. Win over Pakistan now is just another day.

[Vilander]

6 hours ago, First class said:

Extreme of narrow mindedness, open  your heart and mind when discussing cricket. Current Indian team is a great one similarly Pak team of 1978 was a great one too. Please educate yourself before posting a random reply. Guys like you spoil the discussion. 

Indian team does not use home umpires and bottle caps. so yeah and there we no test ranking or mace at that time.