India v England

India won by 187 runs, thus ending a sequence of nine successive drawn Tests by them. They beat England for only the second time in history.

India gained a big advantage in winning the toss for the pitch took a fair amount of spin after the first day and rough patches from bowlers' footholds made conditions difficult, particularly for left-handed batsmen. Still, after the lifeless pitches of the three previous games, this made a welcome change and the cricket had plenty to interest the large crowds each day.

England gave first Test chances to Parfitt and Millman, who replaced M.J.K. Smith and Murray. Subsequently Pullar went down with dysentery and Russell replaced him. Because of a disciplinary investigation Gupte and Kripal Singh did not play for India, Ranjane and Mehra taking their places.

Contractor again disappointed, but Mehra, despite receiving a nasty blow on the right hand which turned out to be a fractured bone at the base of the thumb, batted solidly. Manjrekar failed to maintain his high scoring, but Pataudi and Mehra added 95 for the third wicket. Even so with the total 194 for five England were reasonably satisfied, but the strength of the India middle batting again showed itself. Borde played a splendid innings and Durani also did well.

The England decline began from the start of their innings and by the close of the second day, despite useful batting by Richardson, three men, including Barrington, were out for 107. Next day, the collapse really developed, the remaining seven wickets falling for 105, Dexter alone doing much.

India, 168 ahead, began brightly, but Manjrekar and Pataudi were surprisingly slow after tea. On the fourth morning three wickets fell at 119 and another should have gone seven later, Umrigar being missed at slip when seven. With Borde again in good form, India built a commanding position and England needed 421 to win in eight hours, ten minutes.

Despite another good innings by Dexter and useful displays from Richardson, Parfitt and Knight, the match was over in mid-afternoon of the last day. Lock and Allen bowled splendidly over long periods for England and Borde and Durani served India well.