On this day, 1976, India won a historic Test match in Auckland.
They have won only one other Test on New Zealand soil in the forty-five years since then, in 2009.
And that is not the only reason I am calling the win "historic".
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They have won only one other Test on New Zealand soil in the forty-five years since then, in 2009.
And that is not the only reason I am calling the win "historic".
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For example, India were without their newly-appointed captain, Bedi (that too on a turning pitch).
Vice-captain Gavaskar led India for the first time (before Bedi, actually).
There were three debutants, in Surinder Amarnath, Vengsarkar, and Kirmani.
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Vice-captain Gavaskar led India for the first time (before Bedi, actually).
There were three debutants, in Surinder Amarnath, Vengsarkar, and Kirmani.
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On a turning pitch, New Zealand won the toss and put up 266 (Congdon 54) after being 110/1.
Chandra took 6/94 and Prasanna 3/64.
The ball was already turning. Only nine overs of pace had been bowled.
Surinder joined Gavaskar after Vengsarkar fell early.
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Chandra took 6/94 and Prasanna 3/64.
The ball was already turning. Only nine overs of pace had been bowled.
Surinder joined Gavaskar after Vengsarkar fell early.
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The pair added 204, of which Surinder got 124.
The Amarnaths, Lala and Surinder, thus became the first (and till date, only) father-son pair to score hundreds on Test debut.
With Gavaskar scoring 116 and Mohinder Amarnath 64, and India reached 414 (Congdon 5/65).
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The Amarnaths, Lala and Surinder, thus became the first (and till date, only) father-son pair to score hundreds on Test debut.
With Gavaskar scoring 116 and Mohinder Amarnath 64, and India reached 414 (Congdon 5/65).
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And now Prasanna took 8/76 – still the best figures by an Indian away from home.
New Zealand were bowled out for 215 (Parker 70).
This was not easy, for umpires David Copps and Robert Monteith did their best to counter Prasanna and Chandra (2/85).
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New Zealand were bowled out for 215 (Parker 70).
This was not easy, for umpires David Copps and Robert Monteith did their best to counter Prasanna and Chandra (2/85).
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They "smilingly turned down" bat-pad catches and leg-before decisions, some of which were definitely unfair.
These decisions were accompanied by chants of "home rules apply, boys" from the crowd.
Chandra's politeness is legendary, but on this case even he lost his calm.
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These decisions were accompanied by chants of "home rules apply, boys" from the crowd.
Chandra's politeness is legendary, but on this case even he lost his calm.
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He clean bowled Wadsworth, then appealed loudly.
"He is bowled," came the confused response from the umpire.
"I know he is bowled, but is he out?"
This was the last New Zealand wicket. India needed only 68. They won by eight wickets.
"He is bowled," came the confused response from the umpire.
"I know he is bowled, but is he out?"
This was the last New Zealand wicket. India needed only 68. They won by eight wickets.
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