1980s were the worst Test years for India

[King]

Indian cricket reached its pinnacle in the One-dayers in the 1980s with victories in the World Cup and the World Series, but the decade was also its worst in Tests. More... 1980s were the worst Test years for India IANS NEW DELHI, June 23: Indian cricket reached its pinnacle in the One-dayers in the 1980s with victories in the World Cup and the World Series, but the decade was also its worst in Tests, as it lost 21 and won only 11 of the 81 it played in those 10 years. India's only tied Test - against Australia at Chennai - also came in this period, coupled with 48 draws. Without doubt, India's proudest moment in its 75-year cricket history remains the 1983 World Cup victory. Coupled with the 1985 World Series triumph in Australia, the 1980s well and truly announced India's arrival on the international stage as far as the shorter version of the game is concerned. However, the shift in focus to the limited overs contests had a grim flip side as far as Tests were concerned. Overall, India has played 405 Tests, winning a paltry 90 and losing 131, while one ended in a tie. The remaining 183 Tests were drawn. India started its Test journey in 1932 against England and it's the Englishmen that they have faced the maximum number of times - 94 - followed by the West Indies, who have played India in 82 Tests. Australia and Pakistan are the only other two of the 10 Test-playing nations to have faced the Indians in more than 50 Test matches. Until 1932, all countries had played their inaugural Test match against England but since then Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh have all chosen to face India for their opening Test, indicating a definite power shift in the cricket world. Bangladesh, who have faced India in five Tests, remain the only nation yet to play a Test match on Indian soil, something the neighbours are trying hard to correct. This has, however, met with stiff opposition from the Indian cricket board so far. The Chepauk ground in Chennai, the scene of India's first Test victory in February 1952, has been witness to 11 Test wins for the country, followed by New Delhi's Ferozeshah Kotla and Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, where India have nine Tests each. Kolkata's Eden Gardens has played host to the maximum number of 34 Tests followed by Chennai and New Delhi with 28 apiece. During the past 75 years, India has seen 29 captains, though five were stand-in leaders for only one Test. Sourav Ganguly holds the record for having led India in the highest number of 49 Test matches, two more than Sunil Gavaskar and Mohammad Azharuddin. The captain's club is rather exclusive when looked at from another statistic: only 13 players have led the country in more than 10 Tests. Lala Amarnath was the first to achieve the landmark and current skipper Rahul Dravid is the latest. The youngest Indian Test captain was Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, nicknamed Tiger, who took over from Nari Contractor in very unfortunate circumstances during the 1962 West Indies tour. Ifitkhar Ali Khan Pataudi and 'Tiger' Pataudi have the rare distinction of being the only father-son duo ever to lead India. Sachin Tendulkar leads all Test players with 137 appearances and still counting. Of the current squad touring England, Anil Kumble (115) and skipper Rahul Dravid (108) are the others with more than 100 Test caps. Ganguly has 93 and would be hoping to join the elite club by the end of the 2007-08 season.

[King]

I thought India won in England and Australia in the 80s? I think post Gavaskar's retirement there were not too many wins.

[The Outsider]

India only won a test in Australia, not the series. We also lost to England at home and were at the receiving end of many WI hammerings.

[Lurker]

I thought India won in England and Australia in the 80s? I think post Gavaskar's retirement there were not too many wins.

Ravi. India did not win against Australia in 80's. We should have won 2 Tests in Australia in 1985/86. In the 3 Test series India had a lead every single time and came close to winning 2. At Melbourne India had to chase 120 odds in 25 overs in last innings but could only manage 59/0. It is one of the greatest unexplained mysteries/lack of calculation etc. For a team with strokeplayers like Srikkanth, Kapil, Vengsarkar,Azhar, Amarnath etc to score at 2 runs an over??? http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1980S/1985-86/IND_IN_AUS/IND_AUS_T2_26-30DEC1985.html In the last test at Sydney India had amassed 600 and then had Australia dismissed for 396 & 119/6, still a good 70 odd runs behind. India should have won this test too. http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1980S/1985-86/IND_IN_AUS/IND_AUS_T3_02-06JAN1986.html Can you imagine had India won that series in mid 80s? A win in Australia and England, both under Kapil incidentally, would have taken India to next platform. Unfortunately that wasnt to be. xxxx

[MundaPakistani]

For PAK the 1980s were the best years! Read this article about Imran's team of the 80s. http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/06/14/on_second_thoughts_imran_khans.html

[MundaPakistani]

Ravi. At Melbourne India had to chase 120 odds in 25 overs in last innings but could only manage 59/0. It is one of the greatest unexplained mysteries/lack of calculation etc. For a team with strokeplayers like Srikkanth, Kapil, Vengsarkar,Azhar, Amarnath etc to score at 2 runs an over??? http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1980S/1985-86/IND_IN_AUS/IND_AUS_T2_26-30DEC1985.html xxxx

what were they thinking??:whatchutalkingabout

[The Outsider]

^ It rained at tea in that match and the last session was lost. They did not anticipate the rain.

[MundaPakistani]

^ It rained at tea in that match and the last session was lost. They did not anticipate the rain.

wooh quite unlucky.

[Ram]

I was about to blast Gavaskar for scoring a scorching 8 of 54 balls when the team needed 120 of 25 overs. Its a good thing i held my tongue.