In July 1971, India, led by Ajit Wadekar, achieved what seemed impossible—their first Test series win in England. Till then, India had played 20 Tests in England without a single victory. But that changed at The Oval, in what remains one of Indian cricket’s most iconic moments.
From Caribbean Triumph to English Challenge
Wadekar’s men entered the series with a boost from their surprise win in the West Indies. However, winning in England was a different beast. The first two Tests ended in hard-fought draws, but the final game at The Oval held everything at stake.
England Takes the Lead, But Chandra Strikes Back
England posted 355 in the first innings, with key knocks from Knott (90) and Hutton (81). India replied with 284, anchored by Engineer (59), Sardesai (54), and Wadekar himself.
But the magic unfolded in England’s second innings. BS Chandrasekhar, the genius leg-spinner, demolished England with figures of 6 for 38, bundling them out for just 101. The match turned on a dime.
Nerves, Grit, and a Historic Finish
Chasing 173, India lost Gavaskar and Mankad early. But Wadekar, Sardesai, and Vishwanath held their nerve. Despite some anxious moments, Eknath Solkar hit the winning runs, sealing a win on Ganesh Chaturthi—a day that would go down in cricket folklore.
Fans even brought an elephant to celebrate the occasion. Ajit Wadekar became a national hero, and Indian cricket finally turned a corner.
Brief Scores:
England: 355 & 101
India: 284 & 174/6
Result: India won by 4 wickets.
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