Indian were Pakistan's first opponents after they gained Test status, and they took a strong side to India under the leadership of Abdul Kardar. India's pair of Vinoo Mankad and Ghulam Ahmed took 37 wickets between them. Mankad grabbed 13 for 131 as India won the first Test at New Delhi by an innings. Pakistan squared the series at Lucknow as Fazal Mahmood exploited a matting wicket to take 12 for 94 and Nazar Mohammad carried his bat for 124. India's batsman and an early four-wicket burst from Lala Amarnath restored India's lead with a 10-wicket win at Bombay. The fourth Test was washed out after two days, and India secured the series with a tame draw at Calcutta.