OTD: India all out for 58 at Old Trafford, Fred Trueman claimed 9 wickets

A rare worst day for India in the Tests. In July 1952, during a game at Old Trafford, Manchester, England defeated India by an innings and 207 runs, a shameful result for the visiting side led by Vijay Hazare.

In both innings of the match, India bundled way before touching a three-digit score. It was a young and fast Fred Trueman who ran riot on the Indian batting order. Trueman claimed a total of 8 wickets alone in the first innings. Pankaj Roy, Hemu Adhikari, Polly Umrigar, Dattu Phadkar, Vijay Manjrekar, Ramesh Divecha, Gulabrai Ramchand, and Khokhan Sen—the list of the batters who were outsmarted by the English fast bowler.

Later, Fred Trueman registered his name in cricket history as the first man from any country to take 300 Test wickets, a landmark he reached at The Oval in 1964. Over the years, multiple bowlers—fast bowlers—touched the specific landmark, but Trueman's average (21.57) and strike rate (a wicket every 49 balls) are still unmatchable.

Read More: ENG vs IND 2025: 'I haven't heard too much from the selectors' - Bairstow still hopeful for comeback despite being ignored for Tests versus India

Trueman came in to the match and performed with at highest level

Talking back about the India match in 1952 at Old Trafford, the Yorkshire-born was an emerging face. On the other hand, India had multiple prolific batters in the lineup. But, somehow, the day in the office was not for the Hazare-led team. It is worth noting that Trueman grabbed 15 wickets in his first two Tests, then he went on to take 8 against India in the first innings and one wicket in the second phase of the match.

England, batting first, scored 347 for 9 in the first innings and decided to declare. Skipper Leonard Hutton scored 104 in the process. India in reply was able to display only 58 and 82 on the scoreboard.