- 413 runs by Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy against New Zealand in 1956
The first incident of a 400-plus opening partnership in Test cricket was established way back in 1956. Playing against New Zealand in the Fifth and Final Test at Corporation Stadium, Madras (now Chennai), between 6th and 11th January 1956, the Indian openers, Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy, after India elected to bat, went on to register a 413 runs partnership for the first wicket, a record for the first wicket. They had surpassed the previous best of 359 runs made by Hutton and Washbrook of England, playing against South Africa at Johannesburg in 1948-49.
This first-wicket partnership was also a record for India’s first class cricket. It overtook the previous best of 293 runs scored by Vijay Merchant and Vinoo Mankad against Sussex at Hove in 1946.
Being together at the crease for 472 minutes, Pankaj Roy, who was accounted for by the off-spinner, Matt Poore, notched up a brilliant 173 runs with the help of 12 fours.
Batting for almost 9 hours (525 minutes), and adding another 36 runs alongwith Polly Umrigar for the second wicket, Vinoo Mankad notched up 231 runs aided by 21 hits to the fence, before he was caught by Harry Cave off Alex Moir.
In the process, he surpassed his own previous record of 223 runs which he jointly held alongwith Polly Umrigar.
India won the match by an innings and 109 runs.
