IND vs AUS: Recalling 1959 ‘Miracle of Kanpur' when India defeated mighty Australia for first time in Test

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Ahead of the IND vs AUS tour in November, India will be playing Bangladesh in the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. The iconic ground has been a fortress for the Men in Blue as they have been unbeaten since 1983.

There is another slice of history associated with the Kanpur stadium, as India defeated Australia for the first time in Test format in a thrilling contest on December 19-24, 1959. Known as the 'Miracle of Kanpur', the match has entered the Indian cricketing folklore because of its outcome, which even the most passionate Indian fan could not have predicted.

India, which had gained independence a little more than a decade ago, was still far away from becoming the cricketing giant that it is today. Their record against Australia, widely considered one of the best teams to play cricket, was abysmal, to say the least.

In the first Test tour of India to Australia in 1947, India got a lesson in cricket from the Baggy Greens. In the first Test match in Brisbane, the legendary Don Bradman scored 185 runs to take Australia's total to 382. In contrast, the Indians lost all 10 wickets for just 58 runs. That set the tone for the entire series, which the Australians won 4-0.

Meanwhile, Australia's tour of India in 1956-57 was not better for the home team either, as the Australian team won the series two-nil. After seven failed attempts to beat the Australians, including a loss in the opening Test match in the 1959-60 tour, India were a long shot to emerge victorious when they entered the Green Park Stadium pitch on the Saturday morning of December 19.

India bundled out for 152 in 1st innings

Team India started the game miserably, with none of their batters succeeding to cross the 30-run mark. India managed a total of 152 runs in the first innings, with Alan Davidson and Richie Benaud taking nine wickets between them. Australia roared back with a total of 219, aided by a half-century from Colin McDonald.'

However, the second innings was a reversal of the usual script for India. Nari Contractor, widely considered one of the first 'stars' of Indian cricket, led from the front with a 74-run innings. Ramnath Kenny scored a half-century, and Chandu Borde and Bapu Nandkani both managed 40+ scores.

Jasubhai Patel and Polly Umrigar star in 2nd innings

India registered a total of 291 to throw the challenge to Australia. The away team seemed to capitulate under the pressure put by the underdogs, managing only 105 runs. Jasubhai Patel (5/55) and Polly Umrigar (4/27) were India's stars with the ball.

This incredible display from the Indian team marked the first time that India managed a victory against Australia. This set the tone for the famed India vs Australia rivalry that has revolutionised all forms of cricket in the future, with both teams vying for supremacy in the game.