This was part of the West Indies’ tour of India in 1976. It was a tough series for India, as the West Indies were one of the most dominant teams of that era, and India struggled both with the bat and ball in several matches during the tour.
In this Test match, India was bowled out for a meager 65 runs in 46 overs. This remains the lowest total ever by India in Test cricket history.
India’s batting was completely dominated by the West Indies’ bowlers, and they found themselves unable to cope with the quality pace and spin attack led by Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, and Clive Lloyd.
It was a shocking performance, with only M. L. Jaisimha (a middle-order batsman) showing any resistance with a score of 17 runs. The rest of the batsmen crumbled to the pressure and poor technique.
The West Indies’ bowlers were relentless and exploited the conditions expertly. Andy Roberts and Michael Holding were especially devastating with their pace and accuracy, while Clive Lloyd contributed with his spin.
Holding and Roberts were the main wicket-takers in this innings. The sheer pace and accuracy of their bowling meant that India’s batsmen had no answer to the sustained pressure.
West Indies’ First Innings: The West Indies posted a substantial total of 283 runs in their first innings.
India’s Second Innings: After the massive collapse in the first innings, India could not recover and was eventually bowled out for only 65 runs in their second innings as well, resulting in a heavy loss to West Indies.
West Indies’ Victory: West Indies won the match by an innings and 88 runs. The result was a comprehensive demonstration of West Indies’ dominance in world cricket during this period.
M. L. Jaisimha: The top scorer for India in their disastrous innings, managing to score 17 runs. His was the only significant contribution in an otherwise collapsed batting performance.
Michael Holding and Andy Roberts: Both bowlers were the standout performers for West Indies, with their express pace terrorizing the Indian batsmen.
Clive Lloyd: Though mainly known for his batting, Lloyd’s spin bowling provided additional support to the pace attack.
The Collapse: India’s total of 65 all out remains one of the most talked-about moments in Indian cricket history. This collapse was a severe setback, and it highlighted the challenges Indian cricket faced against top-tier teams like the West Indies.
West Indies’ Dominance: This match was a testament to the West Indies’ dominance in world cricket during the 1970s. Their fast bowlers were feared worldwide, and they showed their prowess with an emphatic performance here.
Impact on Indian Cricket: This loss was a wake-up call for Indian cricket, underlining the importance of mental strength and technique against quality fast bowlers. It also contributed to a reflection on the state of Indian cricket at the time, prompting changes and adaptations in subsequent years.
This match remains an iconic moment in cricket history, marking a low point for India, but also a powerful demonstration of the West Indies’ unmatched dominance in that era.
