Cricket Before Freedom: India’s First Home Test Series vs England

Team India Cricket History (England Tour Of India 1933-34) - An England team under Douglas Jardine visited India in 1933–34. The long tour featured the only three Test matches played on Indian soil before Independence.

The first Test was held at Bombay Gymkhana. This wasn’t as straightforward as it sounds, as the club was restricted to Europeans only. The only Indians allowed inside were servants. However, the rules were relaxed for the purpose of the Test match.

The build-up to the game was immense. Government offices were closed. A new stand was constructed, yet more spectators arrived than expected. Estimates suggest the crowd reached around fifty thousand. In the match, India were bowled out for 219, and England responded with 438. In their second innings, India were struggling at 21/2 when captain C.K. Nayudu joined debutant Lala Amarnath at the crease.

Amarnath scored a century in under two hours. Two spectators ran onto the ground to garland him. The excitement among fans grew so intense that the police had to be called to keep them away from him.

A live band was present at the ground to play music. When Amarnath reached his hundred, they played God Save the King, the British national anthem. As he returned to the pavilion, women in the stands showered him with their jewellery. The Maharajahs of Kolhapur and Baroda announced cash rewards for his performance.

Even more spectators arrived the next day, some traveling overnight by train from Poona. Though India lost the match by nine wickets, the crowd was thrilled to see Amarnath in action. They also witnessed a promising debut by Vijay Merchant, who scored 30.

India bounced back with a strong performance in the second Test in Calcutta. England needed only 82 to win, but ran out of time. However, they secured a 202-run victory in the third Test in Madras to take the series 2–0.