November 13 marks an important day in the history of cricket in India – it was the first day of the third Test match between Pakistan and India, way back in 1952. India would go on to win that Test by 10 wickets, taking a 2-1 lead in the series and would ultimately go on to win that series, their first ever Test series victory as an independent nation.

Even for Pakistan, it was a historical series. The first Test in Delhi was the first time they had ever played a Test match, losing to a superhuman effort from the great Indian all-rounder Vinoo Mankad who picked up 13 wickets in that match. Pakistan bounced back strongly in the second Test at Lucknow to record their first ever Test win, defeating India by an innings and 43 runs. The wrecker-in-chief was Fazal Mahmood, a tall, wiry fast bowler from Lahore, widely considered one of Pakistan’s finest exponents of pace, who shot India out cheaply twice on a wicket covered with jute matting.

With the series tied 1-1, it all boiled down to the third Test, held at the princely Brabourne Stadium in Bombay (not as yet Mumbai). India, reinforced by the presence of Vinoo Mankad and Vijay Hazare who had both missed the previous Test, fielded first, bowling Pakistan out for a paltry 186. When it was their turn to bat, two of their best batsmen, Hazare and Polly Umrigar, put on a 200-plus partnership to take India to 387/4 declared.

Pakistan battled hard and just about managed to avoid an innings defeat due to the heroics of Hanif Mohammad, but could not prevent a loss. The magical Mankad was again among the wickets and he was fittingly at the crease as India knocked off the 45 runs needed to win without losing a wicket.

The next two Tests were uneventful – both ending in draws. India held on to their 2-1 lead to win a first ever series victory in Test matches – 20 years since they had played their first Test in 1932. This would be one of few high points in an otherwise dismal 1950s for Indian cricket.