Ghulam Ahmed

Who was Ghulam Ahmed?

Ghulam Ahmed was an off spin bowler who captained India in Test cricket. After his retirement, he served for many years as the secretary of BCCI.

He played first-class cricket for Hyderabad from 1939-40 to 1958-59, and 22 Tests for India from 1948-49 to 1958-59. He toured England in 1952 and Pakistan in 1954-55. He captained India in one Test against New Zealand in 1955-56, which was drawn, and two Tests against West Indies in 1958-59, both of which India lost.

He was the leading bowler on the 1952 tour, taking 80 wickets in first-class matches at 21.92, and 15 in the four Tests at 24.73. Wisden said he "had days when he looked in the highest world class, but on other occasions he lacked bite". In the first innings of the First Test he bowled 63 overs and took 5 for 100. In the match against Oxford University he took 8 for 84 and 5 for 66.

In the First Test against Pakistan in 1952-53, the inaugural Test between the two neighbours, he took five wickets, and made 50 at number 11, putting on 109 for the tenth wicket with Hemu Adhikari.

In the Third Test against Australia in Calcutta in 1956-57 he took 7 for 49 and 3 for 81, his best Test innings and match figures.