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Jasu Patel, born on this day, 1924, played only 7 Tests, but one of them – at Kanpur in 1959-60 – is part of Indian cricket folklore.
So much so that in a few months' time, Patel and Hazare became the first cricketers to be honoured with the Padma Shri.
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So much so that in a few months' time, Patel and Hazare became the first cricketers to be honoured with the Padma Shri.
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Patel took 9/69 and 5/55 to help India win their first ever Test match against Australia.
The innings and match figures were both Indian records, and remained so until Kumble (10/74 in 1999-00) and Hirwani (16/136 in 1987-88) bettered them.
Here is what happened.
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The innings and match figures were both Indian records, and remained so until Kumble (10/74 in 1999-00) and Hirwani (16/136 in 1987-88) bettered them.
Here is what happened.
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Australia had thrashed India by an innings and 127 runs at Delhi.
On the eve of the Kanpur Test, Chairman of Selectors Lala Amarnath replaced Kripal Singh with Patel.
Patel, then 35, had taken 10 wickets from four Tests. He had not played a Test match in three years.
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On the eve of the Kanpur Test, Chairman of Selectors Lala Amarnath replaced Kripal Singh with Patel.
Patel, then 35, had taken 10 wickets from four Tests. He had not played a Test match in three years.
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Amarnath thought Patel's unorthodox whippy bowling action would be ideal for the new turf pitch at Kanpur, watered with river water containing sand grains.
But things looked hopeless for India after Davidson (5/31) and Benaud (4/63) shot them out for 152 on Day 1.
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But things looked hopeless for India after Davidson (5/31) and Benaud (4/63) shot them out for 152 on Day 1.
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Australia reached 128/1 at lunch on Day 2.
At lunch, Amarnath apparently asked captain Ramchand to bowl Patel from the Pavilion End.
The idea was to take advantage of the footmarks of the left-handed Davidson and Meckiff.
Ramchand did that.
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At lunch, Amarnath apparently asked captain Ramchand to bowl Patel from the Pavilion End.
The idea was to take advantage of the footmarks of the left-handed Davidson and Meckiff.
Ramchand did that.
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Patel's first ball spun and went through McDonald's defence.
Australia were bowled out for 219, Patel 35.5-16-69-9.
Eight of his wickets were without the aid of a teammate: five bowled, two leg-before, one caught and bowled.
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Australia were bowled out for 219, Patel 35.5-16-69-9.
Eight of his wickets were without the aid of a teammate: five bowled, two leg-before, one caught and bowled.
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The most spectacular of his nine wickets was Harvey's.
A LEFT-HANDER, Harvey shouldered arms to one OUTSIDE OFF. He was bowled.
It must have hit a crack, for Patel bowled OFF-SPIN.
Patel might have got all ten, but Nadkarni dropped O'Neill at mid-wicket.
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A LEFT-HANDER, Harvey shouldered arms to one OUTSIDE OFF. He was bowled.
It must have hit a crack, for Patel bowled OFF-SPIN.
Patel might have got all ten, but Nadkarni dropped O'Neill at mid-wicket.
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O'Neill was later bowled by Borde.
Contractor, Baig, Umrigar, Kenny, and Nadkarni all scored between 36 and 51. India got 291.
Chasing 225, Australia were 57/2 overnight.
They crashed to 105 next day, Patel 25.4-7-55-5. Umrigar also took 4/27.
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Contractor, Baig, Umrigar, Kenny, and Nadkarni all scored between 36 and 51. India got 291.
Chasing 225, Australia were 57/2 overnight.
They crashed to 105 next day, Patel 25.4-7-55-5. Umrigar also took 4/27.
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A victory lap followed, only to be interrupted by Nadkarni being hit by a guava thrown by a spectator.
The Australian media cabled RUSH PATEL PICTURES to India.
So obscure was Jasu Patel that Indian agencies responded by sending them pictures of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel!
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The Australian media cabled RUSH PATEL PICTURES to India.
So obscure was Jasu Patel that Indian agencies responded by sending them pictures of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel!
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In all Patel took 29 wickets from 7 Tests at 21.96 – though the curtailed career probably had to do with a suspect action.
In First-Class cricket he had 248 wickets at 21.70.
The Indian Postal Service later issued a special cover in 2009.
In First-Class cricket he had 248 wickets at 21.70.
The Indian Postal Service later issued a special cover in 2009.
