India vs England Cricket History: The Pioneering Parsees Who Took Cricket to England

Discover the untold story of the Parsees — the first Indians to play cricket. From forming clubs in Bombay to touring England in the 1880s, explore this rich chapter of India vs England cricket history.

Cricket Tales (India vs england Cricket History) - Long before India became a cricketing powerhouse, a small, passionate community laid the foundation for the nation’s cricketing legacy — the Parsees. These cricketing pioneers were the first Indians to play the sport, and their story is a fascinating chapter in India vs England cricket history.

The Birth of Indian Cricket: Parsees Take the Lead

In the mid-19th century, young Parsee boys in Bombay began playing cricket on maidans, often using umbrellas as bats. Their enthusiasm led to the formation of India's first cricket clubs — the Oriental Cricket Club (1848) and the Young Zoroastrian Club (1850).

Not just content with friendly matches, the Parsees started challenging British cricketers from the Bombay Gymkhana. When they famously won a match in 1876, jubilant Indian spectators cheered loudly — but were brutally attacked with belts by British soldiers, revealing the colonial tensions of the time.

First Indian Tour to England: 1886

Determined to prove themselves, the Parsees planned a self-funded cricket tour to England in 1886. They hired Robert Henderson of Surrey as coach and were led by Dr Dhunjeeshaw 'DH' Patel.

Matches Played: 28

Won: 1 (vs Normanhurst)

Drawn: 8

Lost: 19

One of the highlights came from Shapurjee Bhedwar, who took a hat-trick against Ashton-under-Lyne — a rare feat with underarm bowling even in that era.

Second England Tour: 1888 – Rise of ME Pavri

Two years later, in 1888, the Parsees returned with greater ambition. This time, their expenses were covered by the newly founded Parsee Gymkhana. The undisputed star of this tour was Dr Mehallasha 'ME' Pavri, a fiery fast bowler who’s often remembered as India’s first great cricketer.

Wickets: 170

Bowling Average: 12

Matches: Won 8, Lost 11, Drawn 12

A County Cricket Milestone

In 1895, ME Pavri etched his name in history once again by playing for Middlesex against Sussex at Hove, becoming the second Indian (after Ranjitsinhji) to play in the prestigious County Championship.

Legacy and Significance

The Parsees' courage, vision, and skill laid the cornerstone of India’s cricketing journey. Their tours were the first significant India vs England cricket encounters, even before the two nations played their first official Test match in 1932.

Their efforts not only introduced Indian cricket to the world but also symbolized resistance, pride, and progress during the colonial era.

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By Abhishek Mukherjee