The Indian cricket team was officially formed in the early 20th century, but the sport has a history in India dating back to the 18th century, introduced by British colonial rulers.
Formation and Early Years
The launch of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008 further boosted Indian cricket globally.
Introduction of Cricket in India (18th Century)
The British East India Company brought cricket to India in the 1700s.
The first recorded cricket match in India was played in 1721 by British sailors in Gujarat.
By the mid-1800s, Parsi communities in Mumbai (then Bombay) started playing cricket, forming the first Indian cricket club, the Oriental Cricket Club, in 1848.
India’s First Official Team (1911)
In 1911, an all-Indian team toured England for the first time, but they played only against county teams, not the national team.
The team consisted of players from different communities (Hindus, Muslims, Parsis, and Sikhs).
India’s Entry into International Cricket (1932)
India played its first-ever Test match on June 25, 1932, at Lord’s, England.
India became the sixth team to receive Test status from the Imperial Cricket Council (now ICC).
The team was captained by C.K. Nayudu.
Post-Independence Rise (1947–1970s)
After independence in 1947, Indian cricket grew with domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy.
The team secured its first Test series win against England in 1952.
The 1970s saw the rise of legendary players like Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, and Bishan Singh Bedi.
India’s World Cup Triumph (1983)
India won its first Cricket World Cup in 1983, led by Kapil Dev, defeating the mighty West Indies.
This victory changed Indian cricket, making it one of the most popular sports in the country.
The Modern Era (2000s – Present)
With the rise of legends like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli, India became a cricketing powerhouse.
India won the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup, and the 2013 Champions Trophy.
FIRST MATCH OF INDIA TO BE DECLEAR
India played its first-ever official international match on June 25, 1932, against England at Lord’s Cricket Ground, London. This was a Test match, making India the sixth team to receive Test status after England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, and New Zealand.
Match Details 🏏
- Match: India vs England
- Date: June 25–28, 1932
- Venue: Lord’s, London
- Captain: C.K. Nayudu (India’s first Test captain)
- Result: England won by 158 runs
Match Summary
- England batted first and scored 259 runs in their first innings.
- India, in reply, made 189 runs, with Mohammad Nissar impressing with his fast bowling (5 wickets).
- England scored 275/8 declared in their second innings.
- India was bowled out for 187 runs, losing the match.
Even though India lost, they put up a strong fight against a powerful England side, with standout performances from Mohammad Nissar, C.K. Nayudu, and Amar Singh.
