I must confess that I have not seen the Bombay test in 1959 against the Australian team led by Richie Benaud. My father, however, saw the test and what I have written is related by him. This was the third Test of the series and the Indian team was led by GS Ramchand, a hard-hitting right-handed batsman and competent pacer.
The advent of Abbas Ali Baig
The Indian team included a youngster who had made a century on his first appearance against England just a season earlier in England when he had hit 112. India had risen from their sick bed and beaten the Australians in the Kanpur Test due to the Jasu Patel’s bowling effort. Thus the series was 1-1 when both teams reached Bombay.
Ramchand won the toss and India was victorious. But Davidson, in an inspired spell, bowled Pankaj Roy cleanly and caught Polly Umrigar on the slips and the score read 21-2. Abbas Ali Baig stepped in and, along with Contactor, who scored 108, helped India to a total of 289. Baig made 53. Baig in particular made quite an impression by skillfully handling the Australian attack.
Australia now batted and declared at 387 for 8 and India came up to bat. By the end of the day (4th) Roy and Contractor had seen India 92-0. The last day dawned and people thought India could easily level the game but alas both starters were ruled out and India was at a precarious 109 for 4. The horrified crowd fell silent as they watched India slide into another family defeat .
The kiss episode
However, Abbas Ali Baig played a stellar innings of 58 and Ramnath Kenny tagged along as India tied the match. Baig negotiated Meckiff’s pace, Davidson’s swing and Richie Benaud’s spin with ease. It was a great shot punctuated by some superb shots to the fence.
When Baig returned to the pavilion, a young woman in a dress came forward and planted several kisses on Baig. In fact, Vijay Merchant in the commentary box counted the kisses on the radio excitedly 1, 2, 3. 12…13. it showed the love of the Indian masses for the game of cricket. How else could a 20 year old girl do such a thing? This has never happened after that anyway and Baig will be remembered for this. Baig inexplicably disappeared from the scene, but the kiss episode can never be forgotten.