September 11, 1985. The minnows of the cricketing world, Sri Lanka, pulled off their first ever Test win by beating India comprehensively at Colombo. Arunabha Sengupta relives the match that marked the coming of age of Sri Lankan cricket.
Read MoreA match played over 339 days
July 23, 1795 to June 28, 1796. That was how long it took to complete one First-Class game. Arunabha Sengupta writes about the match at Stokes Down, Arlesford, that was played over 339 days.
Read MoreKapil Dev's epic spell in vain in Ahmedabad
November 16, 1983. Kapil Dev completed the best bowling performance of his career, capturing nine wickets in the second West Indian innings at Ahmedabad. However, India st the match by a considerable margin. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the Test match which could have been a closer contest had the Indian selection and tactics been less quixotic.
Read MorePakistan's first ever Test match
October 18, 1952. Pakistan’s first ever Test match came to an end with an innings defeat against India at the Feroz Shah Kotla. Arunabha Sengupta revisits the historic match, along with the political drama that surrounded the encounter.
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Chandrasekhar spins India to her first win in England
August 24, 1971. Climbing the web spun by Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, India reached a new high by winning their first Test and series in England. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the final day when the drama unfolded, spectators sat on the edge of their seats and captain Ajit Wadekar slept through all of it.
Read MoreMichael Holding decimates England at The Oval
August 17, 1976. On a slow, amiable track Michael Holding ran in to produce one of the fastest and most brilliant displays of pace bowling ever. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the day the famed ‘grovel’ series concluded with the Jamaican picking up 14 wickets.
Read MoreTavare's crawl and Mudassar's golden arm
August 16, 1982. Chris Tavare went on a strokeless spree, that drove bowlers to despair and sometimes teammates to religious contemplation. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the celebrated crawl the day Mudassar Nazar was running through the English side.
Read MoreThe day Broomsticks took on Bats
August 15, 1877. With a First-class game ending early, Gloucestershire cricketers armed with broomsticks took on a local team with normal bats. Arunabha Sengupta revisits that singular day in cricket history.
Read MoreSachin Tendulkar's first Test hundred
August 14, 1990. As India stared at the face of defeat at Old Trafford, a 17-year old stood firm, scoring his first Test match hundred and saving the day. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the hundreds of Sachin Tendulkar, trying to determine the veracity of myths and fables associated with his batting.
Read MoreAll out for Zero
August 13, 1855. In the estate grounds of Shillinglee in West Sussex, a weird cricket match took place between the home eleven and the 2nd Royal Surrey Militia. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the day when the scoreboard took a pristine form, with not a run on display!
Read MoreSanath Jayasuriya's 340 at Colombo, 1997
Sanath Jayasuriya had started the last day of a Test match on a farcical wicket with 50 required to set a world record. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the day that saw an agonising heart break for Sri Lanka and some excruciating torture for the bowlers.
Read MoreThe duel between Joel Garner and Malcolm Marshall - fast meets furious
July 2, 1982. A furious battle of raw pace was fought under the hot sun of Bournemouth. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the day that saw Malcolm Marshall of Hampshire take on Joel Garner of Somerset in a contest of unparalleled speed and skill.
Read MoreJim Laker's 19 wickets at Manchester 1956
Jully 31, 1956. Manchester. Jim Laker singlehandedly routed the Australians, taking 10 wickets in the second innings, making it 19 for the match. Arunabha Sengupta looks back at the day that can be bettered by no bowler however hard he tries.
Read MoreJune 1932 - India rattle England on their first day in Test cricket
On June 25, 1932, at Lord’s, India took her first bold step in Test cricket, and made the small world of cricket sit up and take notice. Arunabha Sengupta revisits India’s first day in the international arena when CK Nayudu’s men actually had the better of the exchanges against a very strong English side.
Read MoreDilip Vengsarkar and Kapil Dev light up Lord's
June 14, 1982. India had resumed their second innings after the rest day with innings defeat looming over the horizon. However, when they did go down it was with flashing swords and fireworks in a spectacular blaze of glory. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the special knocks of Dilip Vengsarkar and Kapil Dev on that day.
Read MoreFred Trueman reduces India to 0 for 4
June 7, 1952, Headingley. Debutant Fred Trueman unleashed a spell from hell, and the Indian scoreboard at one stage read 0 for four. Arunabha Sengupta recalls the day of batting nightmare.
Read MoreAll out for 12
May 24, 1877. Oxford University were bowled out for 12 against the MCC – which still stands as the lowest recorded first class total. Arunabha Sengupta relives the day at the Magdalene College Ground that remains one of the worst ever for batsmen.
Read MoreThe first Tied Test
On December 14, 1960, Joe Solomon threw down the stumps from square-leg to run out Ian Meckiff, and Test cricket witnessed the first ever Tie. Arunabha Sengupta recounts the tension-filled last few moments of the match.
Read MoreIndia's first triumph in Test matches - Madras 1952
February 10, 1952. Vijay Hazare’s side made history by beating England by an innings and eight runs at Chepauk, the team members congratulated each other and went home with their booty of Rs 250 per head. However, the memories that linger are invaluable — writes Arunabha Sengupta.
Read MoreIndia beat West Indies in a thriller at Mumbai 1994
Arunabha Sengupta recounts the gripping 1994 encounter between the two sides which firmly established Indians as the dominating side that they have been ever since.
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