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Today marks the 42nd death anniversary of an Indian cricketing great, Vinoo Mankad, who played Test cricket until he was almost 42.
He played in 44 of India's first 57 Tests. India won 5, drew 30 & lost 22.
We present you Mankad's immense contributions in ALL 5 wins.
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He played in 44 of India's first 57 Tests. India won 5, drew 30 & lost 22.
We present you Mankad's immense contributions in ALL 5 wins.
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Win #1 v England, 5th Test Madras 1952
India had not won a Test in their first 24 attempts over 20 years (with a large break around WWII).
With hardly any assistance on a Day 1 pitch, Mankad took 8-55 (then best bowling figures for India) to bowl England out for 266.
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India had not won a Test in their first 24 attempts over 20 years (with a large break around WWII).
With hardly any assistance on a Day 1 pitch, Mankad took 8-55 (then best bowling figures for India) to bowl England out for 266.
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With all Top 8 reaching 20, India posted 457/9d. Umrigar (last min selection due to Adhikari's wrist injury) top-scored with 130*; & Roy also registered a century (111).
Mankad's 4-53 (& Ghulam's 4-77) sealed the Test by an inns & 8 runs.
India's first EVER Test win!
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Mankad's 4-53 (& Ghulam's 4-77) sealed the Test by an inns & 8 runs.
India's first EVER Test win!
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The win over England in Madras in 1952 also meant that India drew a Test series for the first time ever.
Mankad's 12-108 was the first 10-wicket in a Test for an Indian bowler. In fact, Mankad would also take India's 2nd 10-for later in 1952, yet another historic win.
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Mankad's 12-108 was the first 10-wicket in a Test for an Indian bowler. In fact, Mankad would also take India's 2nd 10-for later in 1952, yet another historic win.
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Win #2 v Pakistan, 1st Test Delhi 1952
This was Pakistan's inaugural Test, with 9 Test debutants (since Kardar & Elahi played for India before).
With Adhikari top-scoring (81*) and useful fifties from Hazare (76) & Ghulam (50), India posted 372 on a turning wicket.
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This was Pakistan's inaugural Test, with 9 Test debutants (since Kardar & Elahi played for India before).
With Adhikari top-scoring (81*) and useful fifties from Hazare (76) & Ghulam (50), India posted 372 on a turning wicket.
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Despite a strong opening stand (64) between Hanif & Nazar, Pakistan were bowled out for 150, with Mankad taking 8-52 in 47 overs (new best for India, Mankad breaking his own).
Mankad's 5-79 (13-wM!) & Ghulam's 4-35 in the 2nd inns sealed the Test by an inns & 70 runs.
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Mankad's 5-79 (13-wM!) & Ghulam's 4-35 in the 2nd inns sealed the Test by an inns & 70 runs.
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Win #3 v Pakistan, 3rd Test Bombay 1952
With Hazare, Adhikari & Mankad missing the 2nd Test, Pakistan levelled the series, largely on the back of Fazal's 12-94 on a jute-matting wicket in Lucknow.
With Waqar Hasan's 81, Pakistan managed 186 (from 60-6 at one stage).
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With Hazare, Adhikari & Mankad missing the 2nd Test, Pakistan levelled the series, largely on the back of Fazal's 12-94 on a jute-matting wicket in Lucknow.
With Waqar Hasan's 81, Pakistan managed 186 (from 60-6 at one stage).
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Following his 3-52, Mankad scored 41 out of 55 in the opening partnership. With Top 6 exceeding 30 on a sporting turf, India posted a formidable 387/4d (Hazare 146* & Umrigar 102).
With Pakistan on 166-1, Mankad took the next 5 wickets (215-6) to bowl Pak out for 242.
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With Pakistan on 166-1, Mankad took the next 5 wickets (215-6) to bowl Pak out for 242.
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Chasing a modest target of 42, Mankad made 35* to lead India to a 10 wkt victory.
It was yet another, 'player of the match' worthy performance from Mankad. This, in fact, was his 'smallest' contribution ever in an Indian win: 3-52 & 5-72 with ball & 41 & 35* with bat.
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It was yet another, 'player of the match' worthy performance from Mankad. This, in fact, was his 'smallest' contribution ever in an Indian win: 3-52 & 5-72 with ball & 41 & 35* with bat.
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It is worth noting that Mankad sent down 90 overs (not for the 1st time) in total in his 'least contributed' Indian Test win, in addition to scoring 76 runs opening the batting (only out once).
With the next 2 Tests drawn, this was India's first ever Test series win.
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With the next 2 Tests drawn, this was India's first ever Test series win.
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With the unassailable series lead in the 3rd Test, Mankad became the 1st player since WWII to complete the 100 wickets & 1000 runs double (then fastest ever in 23 Tests).
Mankad finished 1952 with 51 wickets for the calendar year (5th ever, 1st outside of Aus-Eng).
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Mankad finished 1952 with 51 wickets for the calendar year (5th ever, 1st outside of Aus-Eng).
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Win #4 v New Zealand, 2nd Test Bombay 1955
India went 3 years without a win (in 13 Tests) before Mankad equalled the highest individual score for India (223, set by Umrigar in the previous Test).
Kripal Singh's 63 was the only other notable score in India's 421/8d.
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India went 3 years without a win (in 13 Tests) before Mankad equalled the highest individual score for India (223, set by Umrigar in the previous Test).
Kripal Singh's 63 was the only other notable score in India's 421/8d.
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NZ offered little resistance as the match went on: all out for 258 & 136, losing by an inns & 27 runs.
Though Gupte starred with the ball (3-83 & 5-45); Mankad also made more than useful contributions with 1-29 & 3-57 to complete another fine all-round performance.
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Though Gupte starred with the ball (3-83 & 5-45); Mankad also made more than useful contributions with 1-29 & 3-57 to complete another fine all-round performance.
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Win #5 v New Zealand, 5th Test Madras 1956
In the final Test, India's openers set a World record partnership of 413 (surpassing 359 by Hutton & Washbrook v SA in 1948).
Also, surpassed FC record of 293 by an Indian opening pair (Merchant & Mankad v Sussex in 1946).
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In the final Test, India's openers set a World record partnership of 413 (surpassing 359 by Hutton & Washbrook v SA in 1948).
Also, surpassed FC record of 293 by an Indian opening pair (Merchant & Mankad v Sussex in 1946).
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Mankad's 231 was also the highest individual Test score by an Indian until Gavaskar's 236* v WI in the same city ~28 years later.
Despite batting cautiously v spin, NZ could only manage 209 & 219.
India's 2nd win by an inns (& 109) margin completed a 2-0 series win.
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Despite batting cautiously v spin, NZ could only manage 209 & 219.
India's 2nd win by an inns (& 109) margin completed a 2-0 series win.
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Gupte again starred with the ball (5-72 & 4-73); and Mankad produced another complete all-round performance: 0-32 & 4-65 with the ball, following his 231 that also took him past 2000 Test runs (3rd to complete the 2000 runs & 100 wickets double after Miller & Rhodes).
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From WWII to a year after NZ series win, Mankad played 42 of India's 45 Tests.
He produced standout 'player of the match' worthy performances in each of India's 5 Test victory, until his retirement in Feb 1959: an impact of unprecedented magnitude for a young nation.
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He produced standout 'player of the match' worthy performances in each of India's 5 Test victory, until his retirement in Feb 1959: an impact of unprecedented magnitude for a young nation.
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The name 'Mankad' does not deserve to be primarily associated with running out the non-striker for backing up too far.
It should bring to mind the great feats (such as twin entries at 1952 Lord's honours board) of a once in a lifetime cricketer, who was much admired.
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It should bring to mind the great feats (such as twin entries at 1952 Lord's honours board) of a once in a lifetime cricketer, who was much admired.
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