On This Day, August 1st: The Birth Of First Indian Pacer

Prior to Jasprit Bumrah, There used to be a legend who much more quicker than him. He was India’s first real pace threat called Mohammad Nissar. With his capacity to swing and seam the ball with high pace, Nissar added a new dimension to Indian bowling during the times of domination by spin.

His new-ball combination with Amar Singh became the stuff of early Indian cricketing legend with technique, aggression, and outcome.

Nissar made a strong impression on India’s first-ever Test match, against England at Lord’s in 1932. He unsettled the English top order, clean bowling Herbert Sutcliffe and Percy Holmes, and this set the tone for what was to be a historic debut. During that tour, he was India’s best performer, taking 71 wickets at an average of 18.09, leading the bowling statistics.

His hegemony wasn’t confined to English conditions. During Australia’s tour of India in the winter of 1935, Nissar sustained his incendiary mode, picking up 32 wickets in four unofficial Tests at a mere 13 runs each – a reflection of his consistency and threat with the ball.

Nissar’s last Test appearance was in another English tour, in which he rode off into the sunset in style. In a scorching burst of fast bowling, he took four wickets for five overs, highlighting once again as to why he was regarded as India’s first deadly pace spearhead.