June 25 holds a unique and iconic place in the annals of Indian cricket history. On this date in 1983, Kapil Dev’s underdog Indian team stunned the world by defeating the mighty West Indies in the final of the Prudential World Cup at Lord’s.
That momentous win didn’t just earn India its first World Cup — it revolutionized the country’s cricketing journey, transforming India into a global cricketing superpower both on and off the field.
But the significance of June 25 in Indian cricket predates that iconic triumph by half a century.
On June 25, 1932, India made its Test debut at the spiritual home of cricket, Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. This historic event marked India’s entry into the elite club of Test-playing nations and was a culmination of decades of cricketing evolution, struggle, and aspiration.
The Road to Lord’s: Cricket’s Journey to India
Like many former British colonies, cricket was introduced to India by the British. Over time, Indians adopted the game with passion and enthusiasm. The Parsees were the first community to embrace the sport, even touring England in the 1880s. By 1911, a representative Indian team had undertaken its first official tour of the British Isles.
However, the real breakthrough came during the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) tour of India in 1926-27, led by English captain Arthur Gilligan. That tour proved to be a turning point, as Indian players demonstrated skill and competitiveness that impressed the visitors.
Several moments stood out:
- Dr. D.B. Deodhar, with his calm and classical century, showcased that Indian batsmen could adapt to the demands of longer formats.
- In a match against Rajputana & BBCI Railways, fast bowler Ladha Ramji caused such discomfort to the Englishmen that Gilligan had to request his opposite number, the Maharawal of Dungarpur, to pull him out of the attack.
- Most memorably, Col. C.K. Nayudu, considered one of India’s earliest cricketing legends, blazed his way to a stunning 153 runs in just 116 minutes, smashing 11 sixes — a first-class record at the time — against the MCC at Bombay Gymkhana.
Gilligan, deeply impressed, advocated for India’s inclusion in Test cricket. With the efforts of influential figures like Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala and RE Grant Govan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was established in 1928. India gained membership in the Imperial Cricket Conference (now ICC), and by 1932, they were invited to play their inaugural Test in England.
The Captaincy Dilemma: A Royal Tug-of-War
As the team prepared to tour England, the matter of captaincy became unusually dramatic. The natural choice, Maharaja of Patiala, a veteran of the 1911 tour and India’s most generous cricket patron, declined due to ill health and royal responsibilities.
Other candidates included:
- Duleepsinhji, the stylish batsman from Nawanagar and nephew of the legendary Ranjitsinhji. Although already a Test player for England, he was keen to lead India but was persuaded by Ranji to focus on selection for England’s Ashes squad instead.
- Mohammad Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, the Nawab of Pataudi, had dazzled at Oxford with over 1,300 runs in 1931. He initially agreed to captain India and led trial matches, but ultimately pulled out to preserve his English county prospects.
- Even Douglas Jardine, England’s captain, born in Bombay, was approached due to his Indian connection, but declined the offer.
Eventually, the honor went to the Maharaja of Porbandar, a cricket enthusiast with very little playing ability. His brother-in-law, Prince Ghanshyamji of Limbdi, became vice-captain, while Maharajkumar of Vizianagram (Vizzy) — a politically ambitious figure with negligible cricketing merit — was made “deputy vice-captain,” a position he promptly refused.
Meanwhile, C.K. Nayudu, despite being the most qualified candidate on cricketing merit, was not considered initially, simply because he wasn’t of royal lineage.
When the Game Chose Its Owner
As the team arrived in England, it became painfully clear that Porbandar wasn’t up to the task. He played only a handful of matches and scored just 2 runs on the entire tour. Jokes flew that he owned more Rolls-Royces than runs scored in England.
To his credit, Porbandar graciously stepped down ahead of the Test match at Lord’s. He nominated Limbdi to lead, but the prince cited a back injury, possibly avoiding further embarrassment after managing only 9.62 with the bat on tour.
This unexpected leadership vacuum brought C.K. Nayudu to the fore. Finally recognized for his brilliance, he was named captain of India’s first-ever Test team — a historic and symbolic moment, especially after initial resistance to a commoner leading the team.
Even then, controversy lingered. Some players, including star all-rounder Ladha Amar Singh, initially refused to play under Nayudu. The rebellion ended swiftly after a strongly worded message from the Maharaja of Patiala, endorsing Nayudu’s leadership.
The Birth of Indian Test Cricket
On June 25, 1932, India walked onto the field at Lord’s as a Test-playing nation. Though the team eventually lost the match, their debut performance — especially under such extraordinary circumstances — was spirited and set the tone for a cricketing journey that would flourish over the next century.
From Underdogs to Icons
Five decades later, to the day, India would return to Lord’s — this time as champions. The 1983 World Cup victory against the formidable West Indies was a defining moment, turning cricket into a national obsession and transforming the Indian team into global contenders.
Thus, June 25 is more than just a date on the calendar. It marks both the birth of Indian Test cricket in 1932 and India’s coming of age on the world stage in 1983. From hesitant beginnings shaped by monarchy and colonialism to becoming the heartbeat of global cricket, India’s journey has been nothing short of epic.
