West Indies were a top side in cricket during the 1970s and 80s era. The side boasted of some of the biggest names in cricket at that point. India, on the other hand, during that phase, were one of the much-lower ranked sides in world cricket. But they were a team with potential to challenge the best teams in the world, which they did.
India during the 1970s phase had their share of troubles with the mighty West Indies. Let alone winning, even facing that Windies side was dreaded. But India did manage to script history against them, as on March 10, 1971, India won their first-ever Test match against the West Indies.
India were touring the West Indies for a five-match Test series. The first Test of the series was a draw. This was the second Test where India got the better of the West Indies.
West Indies won the toss and opted to bat first. Sir Gary Sobers’ decision seemed to backfire as the Indian bowlers looked more prepared to face the West Indies batting line-up. The West Indies were bowled out for 214 in their first innings. India’s spin twins Erapalli Prasanna and Bishan Singh Bedi shared seven wickets between themselves.
Even with the bat, the Indian batters looked much more confident than their West Indies counterparts. Debuting in this Test was a young Sunil Gavaskar. Right from his debut, Gavaskar meant serious business. He scored a sublime 65. But the player who anchored India was Dilip Sardesai, as he struck a brilliant century, scoring 112. India posted 352 in their first innings.
In the second innings, West Indies’ Roy Fredericks and Charlie Davis tried their best to put up a fight, but an untimely run-out of Fredericks caused a major collapse and the West Indies were bundled out for 261.
Set to chase 124, Indian openers Sunil Gavaskar and Ashok Mankad stitched 74 runs for the first wicket. They lost the wickets of Salim Durani and Sardesai in quick succession and were reeling at 84/3. But Gavaskar remained unbeaten on 67 and took India home by scoring the remaining runs.
India thus registered their first historic Test match win over the mighty West Indies and went on to historically win the entire series as the other Test matches ended in draws.
