Today (1 December) marks the very time Australia faced India in a Test Match. This took place in Australia, during the 1947-48 season. Just like the ongoing series, it was a five-match Test series. It was also the first tour by a team representing the newly independent India. Independence had been finalised only two months before the tour began.
A sub-committee under the chairmanship of Anthony de Mello was formed to recommend to the BCCI that the India team to tour Australia the following season. The touring party comprising 17 players was announced on 17 March 1947. A series of games were played prior to the selection to select a team for the tour that included the following day.
For the touring squad, Vijay Merchant was named the captain and Lala Amarnath, his deputy. Pankaj Gupta was named the tour manager. Merchant had to drop out in September due to issues with his fitness; also Rusi Modi for the same reason. Amarnath was subsequently named the captain.
Fazal Mahmood was dropped out as he joined the Pakistan cricket team and Syed Mushtaq Ali was also dropped out in early October. Chandu Sarwate; Kanwar Rai Singh Ranvirsinhji and C. R. Rangachari were named as their replacements on 6 October; while Vijay Hazare was named the vice-captain. The squad left for Australia on 8 October and arrived on 10 October in Darwin.
In addition to the Test series, the tourists played nine other first-class matches against: Western Australia (2 games – the tour opener and the last game of the tour); South Australia; Victoria; New South Wales; Australia XI; Queensland; and Tasmania (2 matches). India won two and lost three of these matches, the other four being drawn.
It's important to note that India were up against The Invincibles (The Australian cricket team in England in 1948 is famous for being the only Test match side to play an entire tour of England without losing a match. This feat earned them the nickname of "The Invincibles" and they are regarded as one of the greatest cricket teams of all time. According to the Australian federal government, the team "is one of Australia's most cherished sporting legends". The team was captained by Don Bradman, who was making his fourth and final tour of England).
The 1st Test took place in Brisbane. It was an innings loss for India. Australia batted first and amassed 382-8 declared. Don Bradman top scored with 185. India, in reply, were bundled out for 58. Ernie Toshack was chief destroyer with 5-2 after 2.3 overs. India were asked to follow-on and again, were poor with the bat. They were bowled out for 98. Toshack was at it again with figures of 6-29 after 17 overs. India lost by an innings and 226 runs.
The 2nd Test took place in Sydney. It was a drawn Test. India batted first and scored 188. Dattu Phadkar top scored with 51. Australia replied with 107 all out. A highlight of the wickets was Bill Brown being mankaded (the informal name given to running out the non-striking batter whilst they are backing up, which is when they begin to leave the crease while the bowler is in their final delivery stride). Vijay Hazare took 4-29 after 13.2 overs. India batted again and could only score 61-7 before the match was drawn. No play was possible on 3 of the 6 days.
The 3rd Test took place in Melbourne. Australia batted first and scored 394 all out. Don Bradman scored 132 and Lindsay Hassett scored 80. India replied with 291-9 declared. Vinoo Mankad top scored with 116.
Australia carried a 103 run lead into their second innings. They added a further 255-4 declared. Arthur Morris and Don Bradman shared an unbeaten 5th wicket partnership of 223. Morris finished unbeaten on 100 while Bradman ended unbeaten on 127. This left India needing 359 runs to win. They could only muster 125 all out. Bill and Ian Johnson shared the load of the wickets by each taking 4. Australia won by 233 runs.
The 4th Test took place in Adelaide. Australia batted first and scored a mammoth 647. Sid Barnes scored 112; Don Bradman scored 201 and Lindsay Hassett was left stranded on 198*. India replied with 381. Vijay Hazare scored 116 and Dattu Phadkar scored 123. India were asked to follow-on and scored another 277. Vijay Hazare top scored with145. Australia won by an innings and 16 runs.
The 5th and final Test took place in Melbourne. Australia batted first and scored 575-8 declared. Neil Harvey top scored with 153. Bill Brown was unfortunately run out on 99. India replied with 331. Vinoo Mankad top scored with 111. Australia ennforced the follow-on and India were skittled out for 67. Len Johnson and Doug Ring each took 3 wickets.
I would mark this series as the beginning of a fierce rivalry. Since then, the matchups have been evenly contested. There are times when one country has dominated the other. Regardless, it's always amusing and exciting to watch when these two sides clash.