Decades before Wankhede Test of 2011-12, the Eden Gardens and Chepauk Tests of 2000-01, even the Chepauk tie of 1986, India and Australia played one of the greatest Test matches on Indian soil.
The Test ended on this day, 1964. It was also Dussehra.
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The Test ended on this day, 1964. It was also Dussehra.
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Australia were one-up in the three-Test series. This was the second Test.
Unfortunately for them, O'Neill went down with a stomach pain *after the toss* here and took no further part in the Test.
This meant that Australia played the Test with only ten men.
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Unfortunately for them, O'Neill went down with a stomach pain *after the toss* here and took no further part in the Test.
This meant that Australia played the Test with only ten men.
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Australia scored 320 and 274. India, 341. They needed 254.
India lost Jaisimha, Durani, and Nadkarni by stumps on Day 4. They were 74/3.
Now Pataudi had an unusual habit of shuffling the batting order.
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India lost Jaisimha, Durani, and Nadkarni by stumps on Day 4. They were 74/3.
Now Pataudi had an unusual habit of shuffling the batting order.
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This time he held back himself, Manjrekar, and Borde to 7, 8, and 9 on this occasion.
On Day 5, India lost Surti, Sardesai, and Hanumant soon. India were 122/6. They needed another 132.
But Pataudi's strategy meant that India had three of their finest still unvanquished.
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On Day 5, India lost Surti, Sardesai, and Hanumant soon. India were 122/6. They needed another 132.
But Pataudi's strategy meant that India had three of their finest still unvanquished.
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Pataudi and Manjrekar held on, and India were 146/6 at lunch. Another 108.
But the Australians were in no mood for releasing the pressure.
Pataudi and Manjrekar hung around, but the Australians made run-scoring difficult.
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But the Australians were in no mood for releasing the pressure.
Pataudi and Manjrekar hung around, but the Australians made run-scoring difficult.
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Only 69 were added in the second session, but importantly, Pataudi and Manjrekar were still there.
Another 39.
Simpson had no choice. He brought back McKenzie and Connolly together. And almost immediately, Connolly had Manjrekar caught at first slip.
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Another 39.
Simpson had no choice. He brought back McKenzie and Connolly together. And almost immediately, Connolly had Manjrekar caught at first slip.
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Nine runs later Pataudi was caught brilliantly at backward point off Connolly.
India needed 30 with 2 wickets in hand. Australia were back in the match.
Borde, probably India's finest batsman of the era, was batting at 9.
His partner was wicketkeeper Indrajitsinhji.
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India needed 30 with 2 wickets in hand. Australia were back in the match.
Borde, probably India's finest batsman of the era, was batting at 9.
His partner was wicketkeeper Indrajitsinhji.
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Despite being related to Ranji and Duleep, however, he was not quite in the same class.
And India still needed 30.
And their No. 11 was Chandrasekhar, allowed to bat only because the laws permitted him to.
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And India still needed 30.
And their No. 11 was Chandrasekhar, allowed to bat only because the laws permitted him to.
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McKenzie and Connolly bowled their heart out but could not break through.
Simpson recalled Veivers.
But runs, while not easy to come by, still came.
And despite the hostile, accurate bowling, the claustrophobic presence of the world-class fielders, the wicket did not come.
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Simpson recalled Veivers.
But runs, while not easy to come by, still came.
And despite the hostile, accurate bowling, the claustrophobic presence of the world-class fielders, the wicket did not come.
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Then, with two to get, Veivers, who had toiled hard for over 43 overs, bowled a rare full-toss.
Borde smashed it for four, and that was it.
Borde smashed it for four, and that was it.
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