When Team India had made a test debut to the student of Oxford University against England, Team Blazer was also stitched in London
Abbas Ali Baig Oxford University: England-India this time to Haryana fast bowler Anshul Kamboj Test series During, before the Test at Old Trafford, Akashdeep and Arshdeep Singh were included in the team as a backup when they appeared in the injury list. Later, Anshul Kamboj also made a Test debut but was one of the most disappointing debut for India.
Incidentally, 66 years ago, another young player (who like Kamboj) was not in the tour team, but before the fourth Test of that tour of 1959, the team’s successful batsman Vijay Manjrekar was out of the playing XI due to injury. These were only 20 -year -old Abbas Ali Baig, who was then a student and joined the team directly from Oxford University. After this, Baig set a record of one of the best debut performances of any new Indian player. In fact, he scored a new Oxford record by scoring 308 runs (221*+87) in the match against free forestures a few days ago and this performance was highly praised. With this record, he also came to the eyes of the selectors of India. That is why when Manjrekar was hurt, he could not call anyone from India, so he had called Abbas Ali Baig already present in England.
By then India had lost the first three Tests in the 5 Test series. Beg was also able to stop defeating in both the next Tests, but he was one of some memorable achievements of this disappointing tour for India. Till date, only 8 more players have made 100 in the fourth innings in the debut test and these records were the first bag. Only KR Mayors of West Indies (210*in 2021) have been able to cross the record of 112 runs, among those who made this record. In addition, Baig is one of the four players making these records abroad.
India had a tough challenge from England in this series and the English attack led by Fred Truman was like a havoc for him. England made a clean sweep in the series and won by 3 Test innings and 2 Tests by 171 runs and 8 wickets.
However, despite such a great start, Baig’s career was not as expected. Only 9 Tests were played, the last of which was against the West Indies in January 1967. A fun fact is that he was also in the team of Ajit Wadekar, who played the series in England in 1971, but was not included in the playing XI in any Test. After that tour, he was dropped from the team. The average of the Test career was 23.77, which is not really proof of their better talent, even when a 100 is made on the debut.
In that Test, Baig scored 26 runs while batting at number 3 in the first innings. In the second innings, India had a target of 548 runs to win and there were two days left in the match. In this innings, Beg played fast bowlers such as Fred Truman and Herold Rhodes with great confidence. When 85* were on the run, a bouncer of Rhodes hit his right temple, which had to retired.
On the last day, Beg played forward and completed his 100 by putting 4 off a ball of Rhodes. Then became the youngest player in India (20 years and 131 days) to make 100 and the first Indian to make 100 in their debut tests outside India. Finally run out at 112. Recalling his performance, Wisden wrote, ‘In the midst of July, Oxford’s young player Beg was called to replace the injured Manjrekar and it was the team’s wisely decision. After joining the team, this Hyderabad player put 100 in the first two matches for Team India- 102 against Middlesex and 112 runs in the second innings of the Old Trafford Test. Overall, for the tour team, they made three 100 in their 12 matches. Beg’s attitude towards the game was amazing, which can prove to be very helpful in further improve Indian cricket. Despite the short stature, the talent of hooking fast bowlers was the identity of a big player. The ground was equally agile and their throw was faster and perfect. The first Test of Beg and his outstanding pic-up and throw of Dexter will continue to be discussed in Old Trafford for years.
They became very popular. When Australia came to India in 1959-60, it was a discussion that cricket lovers are coming to see tickets and play them. Beg is the same player who was kissed by a girl at the Brabourne Stadium. This happened for the first time with an Indian cricketer. However, this is a different story. Unfortunately, he could not take his Test career to a new height and played only 10 Tests between 1959–60 and 1967. He was more famous for the ‘One Test show’.
Later, he recalled his career and said, ‘Some opportunities also came when I did not pay much price for my wicket. I did not get full support from the selectors either. Baig was also the manager of the Indian team during the 1991-92 Australia Tour and the 1992 World Cup in Australia.
A story associated with his debut is also of his first blazer. In 2014, Abbas Ali Baig’s 1959 Indian Blazer Osian sold in an oxation held at Mumbai’s Cricket Club of India. In the brochure published for the auction, Beg wrote: ‘Among all my Team India blazers, this England 1959 tour blazer was closest to my heart. Not just because compared to any Indian blazer, it was specially sewn by the board in London. This blazer was given to me in Lord’s long room, team manager Fateh Singh Rao Gaikwad. According to this brochure, the price of the blazer was between Rs 3 lakh to 4.50 lakhs.
