That infamous collapse at Leeds

The history of Indian cricket is punctuated with inglorious moments. Astonishing batting collapses, bowlers suffering reverses, heavy margins of defeat, uniquely infamous `feats. These were more pronounced in the 40s, 50s and 60s.

Against Australia at Brisbane in 1947, India were shot out for totals of 58 and 98. Against England at Manchester in 1952, India became the first - and so far the only - team to be dismissed twice in one day when they were dismissed for 58 and 82 to lose by an innings and 207 runs in three days. At the Oval in the same series, India lost their first five wickets with only six runs on the board. In 1958-59, India lost to West Indies at Calcutta by an innings and 336 runs - the second heaviest margin in Test cricket history. Even as late as 1974, India were bowled out for 42 at Lord's off 17 overs. India have lost all Tests in a series on many occasions - all five to England in 1959 and West Indies in 1962, all four to Australia in 1967-68, all three to England in 1967 and 1974 and to Australia last season.

But in my book, even in this long list of inglorious `deeds', there cannot be a more astonishing collapse than Leeds 1952. Mention the venue and the year and some may remember the record fourth wicket partnership of 222 runs between the two Vijays, Manjrekar and Hazare which rescued India on the first day. Unfortunately Test history of the dubious kind was created on the third day. Today is the 48th anniversary of that dubious record.

The background was this. India in the first innings, thanks mainly to the Hazare-Manjrekar stand, had scored 293. Ghulam Ahmed then bowled like a champion and had the strong England batting line up - Hutton, Simpson, May, Compton, Graveney, Watkins and Evans - struggling for most part and the runs were scored at two an over. Adopting a thoroughly professional approach, England managed to get a first innings lead of 41 runs, shortly after lunch on the third day.

It was generally thought that the deficit was just about enough to offset the fact that England would be batting last on a wicket expected to aid spin. But within 14 balls of the start of the Indian innings, the topics of discussion were whether India would avoid an innings defeat and whether the match would go into a fourth day. For in the space of 2.2 overs, India lost their first four wickets without a run on the board.

Freddie Trueman, playing in his first Test match, dismissed Pankaj Roy in the first over, having him caught by Compton. Alec Bedser, in the next over, had DK Gaekwad caught by Laker. Off the first and second balls of the following over, Trueman bowled Madhav Mantri and Manjrekar. Polly Umrigar, who had come in at the fall of the second wicket, watched the shocking collapse with disbelief. Hazare, coming in at No 6, averted the hat-trick and then got the first runs, to the accompaniment of cheers from the crowd, who were amazed by what they had just seen.

A recovery of sorts, shaped by Hazare (56) and Dattu Phadkar (64) saw India reach 165. But the fatal zero for four blow at the start had ruled out any hopes of India saving the match and England duly won by seven wickets midway through the fourth day. To put the collapse in proper perspective, perhaps I should point out that it is the only time in 123 years of Test cricket, comprising some 1500 matches that a team has lost the first four wickets without a run being scored.

My favourite story about the collapse is about the reporter who, covering the match for an evening newspaper, phoned in to give the latest Test match score to the news desk. The moment India lost their fourth wicket, he rang up the office and `flashed' the news that India were zero for four. The sub editor refused to believe that India could have lost four wickets without scoring even a run, and with a deadline to meet, carried a sub headline, ``India four for no loss.''