It was an illustrious gathering in Kanpur, on Thursday, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India felicitated its former Test captains, including Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Mohammad Azharuddin, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble and Mahendra Singh Dhoni among others to celebrate India's 500th Test match.
Former Test captains Ajit Wadekar, Kapil Dev, Dilip Vengsarkar and Krishnamachari Srikkanth were also present on the occasion, along with all the women's Test captains, at the Green Park stadium and received special mementos from BCCI chief Anurag Thakur, Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association chief Rajeev Shukla and UP Governor Ram Naik.
India is only the fourth nation to feature in 500 Tests. England (976), Australia (791) and West Indies (517) are the other countries to have played 500 or more Test matches.
India's journey in Test cricket started in 1932 when it played Douglas Jardine's England side at Lord's in 1932. Of the 499 Tests India has played so far, they have won 129, losing 157. 212 Tests ended in draws. They have also featured in a tied Test, against Australia, in Chennai in September 1986.
Check out the images from the felicitation ceremony:
IMAGE: (Left to right) Former India captains Sachin Tendulkar, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Sourav Ganguly, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Mohammad Azharuddin during a felicitation ceremony to celebrate India's 500th Test match at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur. Photograph: BCCI
IMAGE: Sunil Gavaskar is felicitated by BCCI president Anurag Thakur at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur. Photograph: BCCI
IMAGE: Sachin Tendulkar receives a memento to celebrate India's 500th Test match from UP governor Ram Naik, centre, and Rajeev Shukla, left, at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur. Photograph: BCCI
IMAGE: Mohammad Azharuddin receives a memento to celebrate India's 500th Test match from UP governor Ram Naik, left, and BCCI president Anurag Thakur, centre, at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur. Photograph: BCCI
IMAGE: Former India women's captain Diana Edulji receives a memento to celebrate India's 500th Test match from UP governor Ram Naik, centre, and Rajeev Shukla, left, at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur. Photograph: BCCI
IMAGE: Anil Kumble receives a memento to celebrate India's 500th Test match from UP governor Ram Naik, left, and BCCI president Anurag Thakur, centre, at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur. Photograph: BCCI
IMAGE: India's men and women's Test captains pose for pictures during a felicitation ceremony to celebrate India's 500th Test match at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur. Photograph: BCCI
