That India scored her first Test victory in their 25th match (04th May 2001)

India made their Test debut at Lord's on June 25, 1932. They performed gallantly before losing by 158 runs to an England side which was strong enough to regain the Ashes `Down Under' that winter, albeit by resorting to the Bodyline tactics. England paid a return visit to India in 1933-34 and played three Tests, winning two and drawing one. When India again toured England in 1936, the result was the same - two Tests lost and one drawn.

After World War II, India again played three Tests in England in 1946, this time losing one and drawing two. In Australia in 1947-48, they never had a chance against a formidable home team and lost four of the five Tests, drawing the other. Back home for the 1948-49 series against West Indies, India performed creditably and came very close to registering their first Test victory in the final game of the five match rubber. Requiring 361 to win, India were 355 for eight when an umpire pulled out the stumps signalling the end of the match, even though there still a couple of minutes left for play.

So after playing in 20 Tests, India were still without a Test victory on the eve of the rubber against England in 1951-52. Since it was a none too strong squad that landed in this country, it seemed to represent India's best chance of notching up their first Test victory. But India made heavy weather of their task. After the first three Tests were drawn, England won the fourth before India finally broke their cricketing duck with an emphatic innings and eight run victory in the final Test at Chepauk, Madras on February 10th 1952. Interestingly enough, it was the country's Silver Jubilee Test.

[Archive]

For more details on all the above facts check out [ StatsGuru ]