#4 Mulvantrai Himmatlal Mankad
M H Mankad, also known as Vinoo Mankad, was a prolific all-rounder in the early years of Indian Test cricket. He is often regarded as the first great all-rounder of India. He was an opening batsman and a slow left-arm orthodox bowler and has played 44 test for India.
His best performance came in the time of crisis at Lord's against England in 1952. After having scored 72 in the first innings, he took five wickets in England's first innings. He later in the second innings scored 184 out of the team's total of 378 to find the place at the Lord's Honor board.
In 1952, the Indian team went to England without their premier all-rounder Vinoo Mankad as he had signed up for Haslingden in Lancashire League. Before signing the contract he had requested the board to guarantee his selection in the touring team, that was later turned down. He was not the part of the team in the first Test at Leeds.
After suffering a humiliating defeat in the first test, the board had no other way but to eat humble pie and request for the release of Mankad from the club to have his services in the Lord's test.
Mankad's ego was hurt and he performed way above the expectations and single-handedly anchored the Indian innings. He stayed at the field for 19 hours out of 25 hours of play. His match figures read 73-24-196-5. He became the first and the only Indian player to have his name on both, the batting and the bowling Honors Boards. His heroics couldn't save the game for India, but he was able to salvage the pride.
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