In the annals of Indian Cricketing, 1971 will long be remembered. It was in this year the Indian Cricket Team won two rubbers in a row, one against the powerful West Indies team and the other against England, on English soil. During the tour of the West Indies from Feb. 1971 to April 1971, the Indian team led by Ajit Wadekar gave a very good account of themselves, winning the second test at Trinidad, the other four tests having ended in a draw.

The tour was remarkable in many ways, India discovered a new batting hero in the young Sunil Gavaskar. The second test won by the Indian team at Trinidad (this test marked the silver anniversary of games between India and the West Indies) was also the first test ever won against the powerful West Indies team. The Indian success was mainly built around the three spinners, Prasanna, Bedi and Venkat Raghavan and the batting support of Gavaskar and Sardesai, under the inspiring captainship of Wadekar.

Close on heels after the remarkable test win against the West Indies, India gained a few months later (on 24th August 1971 to be exact), her first Test Victory on English soil against England (and with it the rubber) at Kennington Oval, the scene of many memorable Test struggles since 1880. Again the honour of captaining the winning team went to Ajit Wadekar, who was ably assisted by the spinners Venkat Raghavan and Chandrasekhar. Out of the 3 Tests played two (played at Lord's and Trent Bridge) ended in a draw, and India won the third test at the Oval by four wickets.

The Indian P&T Department takes this opportunity to greet the victorious Indian team and its Captain and have great pleasure in commemorating these historic victories by bringing out a special stamp dedicated to the lovers of the game in India and elsewhere.

The design of the stamp is horizontal and depicts a cricketer in characteristic poses of batting, bowling and wicket-keeping.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India