5 amazing series wins for India after starting on a wrong note

#4 1971, India\'s tour of England. India won 1-0

Ajit Wadekar led India to it’s first series win in England in 1971.

What makes the victory incredible: This was India’s first series victory in England and it’s third overall that came during a very impressive period. It was also India’s first Test win in England.

The Awe Factor: India lost six Test series in England prior to this, being whitewashed the last two times, 0-5 and 0-3. This was Ajit Wadekar’s second series after he had taken over as captain from the legendary Nawab of Pataudi Jr. He won the first one as well against West Indies in West Indies, a brief golden phase for India.

There are many reasons why this series is epic, besides the aforementioned. India drew the first Test of the series with the skin of their fingernails, finishing at 145 for eight on the last day.

In the final Test, India had conceded a first innings lead of 71 but BS Chandrasekhar set the game up nicely for India when he took 6-38 and effected a run-out as England were bundled out for 101. India chased down the target of 173 for the loss of six wickets taking 101 overs to reach the target.

Wadekar played well but missed out on another half-century like in the first. Farokh Engineer, India’s charismatic wicket-keeper played important cameos in both innings.