The 2001 Kolkata Test

Lore & Background

India recorded their first Test victory, in their 24th match, against England at Madras in 1952. Later in the same year, they won their first Test series, which was against Pakistan. The key to India's bowling in the 1970s were the Indian spin quartet – Bishan Singh Bedi, E. A. S. Prasanna, B. S. Chandrasekhar and Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan. This period also saw the emergence of two of India's best ever batsmen, Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Viswanath. On 25 June 1983, India won the 1983 Cricket World Cup, defeating the favourites and the two-time defending champions West Indies in the final at Lord's.

In Their Own Story

The morning sun rose over Eden Gardens on Day four, casting long shadows across a pitch that had already claimed so many wickets. The air was thick with humidity and tension as the Australian fielders tightened their grip, expecting an early collapse. But from the crease emerged two men who refused to yield, their bats becoming shields against the relentless barrage of deliveries.

Reader's Guide

The team has played 601 Test matches, winning 187, losing 188, with 225 draws and 1 tie. India have played in two of the three World Test Championship finals, finishing runners-up twice in 2021 and 2023. The team has played 1,081 ODI matches, winning 575, losing 452, tying 10, and with 44 ending in a no-result. India have played in the World Cup final four times and have won the title twice in 1983 and 2011. They have also won the Champions Trophy, a record three times in 2002s, 2013, and 2025. India have also won the ODI Asia Cup for a record seven times. The team has played 287 T20I matches, winning 190, losing 81, tying 7, and with 9 ending in a no-result. India have played in the T20 World Cup final four times and have won the title, a record three times in 2007, 2024, and 2026. India have also won the T20I Asia Cup for a record two times.

Did You Know?

• India are the current holders of the T20 World Cup, the ICC Champions Trophy, and the Asia Cup.
• India set a then Test record in the third Test against the West Indies at Port-of-Spain in 1976, when they chased 403 to win.
• In November 1976, the team established another record by scoring 524 for 9 declared against New Zealand at Kanpur without any individual batsman scoring a century.