The Kennington Oval holds special importance in Indian cricket folklore. In 1971, the Ajit Wadekar-led Indian team punched above its weight to record their maiden test victory on English soil on this very ground. With the other two tests drawn, the Oval win also meant that India had their first series victory in England. But today’s story is not about that victory.
Eight years later, the Oval was witness to another edge of the seat spectacle involving the very same sides. India had a forgettable World Cup campaign in 1979, failing to win even a single match. They probably wanted to go into hiding but lacked the luxury to do so, as they had a tough English summer to battle. India lost the first test and somehow managed to draw the other two before going into the fourth test at the Oval.
The action at the Oval unfolded with the hosts gaining a first innings lead of 102 runs, after piling up 305 in the first innings. A Geoff Boycott classic in the second innings powered them to 334/8 when Brearly declared, setting India a daunting target of 438. Though India had successfully chased 406 in a test against a formidable West Indies few years ago, an English win was certain if India’s form was anything to go by.
India's chase began on the fourth day. Sunil Gavaskar and Chetan Chauhan put up 76 on the board and successfully negotiated the day without losing a wicket. Perhaps, winning was not on their mind at that moment. The duo continued their aggressive yet cautious approach the next day and were involved in a 213-run partnership, before Chauhan was removed on 80 by Willis.
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Gavaskar had meanwhile reached his 20th Test century and was getting ready to rewrite the record books. He was joined by Dilip Vengsarkar and the duo added another 153 runs to take India’s score to 328-1, when the mandatory overs began. The equation was down to 110 needed from 20 overs. Pressure was now creeping through the England camp.
But as the match progressed, India started to lose the plot. Phil Edmonds got the better of Vengsarkar. The hopes were further dented when Gavaskar’s doughty innings of 221 was ended by Ian Botham. In an exhibition that lasted 489 minutes and across four sessions, Gavaskar breathed life into the chase and made it look a reality.
The decision to promote Kapil Dev and Yashpal Sharma ahead of Viswanath to up the scoring rate turned out to be a disaster. Wickets fell in a heap and India went from 366-1 to 429-8, requiring 9 runs from 1 ball. The shift in attitude within the India camp was visible as they happily settled for the draw offered by Brearly without the last ball being bowled. Not that it would have mattered, but it was just the signs of the visitors being comfortable in avoiding defeat, in a match which they could have won.
The result was troubling not just for the English team but also the English fans and the press. Brearly had declared with the sole aim of winning but the little master made a mockery of the star-studded English bowling line up and India almost pulled off a miraculous win. Despite a clinical series victory, England had only themselves to blame for not closing the game and making the Oval synonymous with the Gavaskar show and India's draw of 1979.
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