Flashback: The batsman who scored the first double-century against India?

India certainly has a rich cricket history with the national team being in action since 1932. In this duration, Team India has played several games across three different formats and returned with different results. While the side registered numerous memorable triumphs, India went down in several games. After all, Team India has locked horns against the best teams in the world. In these clashes, Indian players also came across many prominent batters of bowlers.

While many players have made their bat talk against the three-time World Cup champions, do you know who’s the first player to score a Test double hundred against India? It’s none other than Wally Hammond of England. The occasion was the third Test of India’s 1936 tour of England and the venue was the Oval. English skipper Gubby Allen didn’t have any hesitation in electing to bat first after winning the toss.

When Wally Hammond scripted history against India

However, England couldn’t make a brilliant start with the bat as opener Arthur Fagg was dismissed for just eight runs. However, Hammond came out to bat at number three and what followed was a batting exhibition. The right-handed batsman tackled the challenging deliveries with precision and also didn’t mind smashing the poor ones over the ropes.

He got a potent partner in Stan Worthington, who came out to bat at number five. The duo made a mockery of the Indian bowlers as England were cruising in the game. In the process, Hammond crossed the 100-run mark but continued his marathon at Oval. The likes of Hammond and Amar Singh couldn’t breach Hammond’s defence as the England star went onto script history.

He became the first-ever player to smash a Test a century against India. He eventually fell prey to Hammond but not before scoring 217 runs. Riding on his prowess, the Three Lions posted a massive total of 471/8 while batting first.

In reply, India couldn’t put up a stellar batting show and got bundled out for mere 222 runs. Asked to follow on, the visitors put up a better effort but couldn’t score more than 312 runs. England were asked to chase 64 runs and they crossed the line with nine wickets in hand.