Who was the first Indian batsman to score a Test hundred against the West Indies?
(15 October 2002)

Colonel Hemu Adhikari was one of the most disciplined and courageous batsmen of his times. These traits of his were well demonstrated in his only Test century, against the West Indies in the first Test between the two sides, which was played at the Ferozeshah Kotla from 10-14 November 1948.

Replying to a mammoth West Indian total of 631, which included centuries from Clyde Walcott, Gareth Gomez, Everton Weekes and Robert Christiani, India were 249-5 and in danger of being thrashed, when Adhikari made his way to the crease. But with Dattu Phadkar (41), Chandu Sarwate (37) and Probir Sen (22) providing him good support, Adhikari (114*) took the Indians to within 28 runs of avoiding the follow on. More importantly, he ensured that his team had only to play out the final day to avoid defeat - a fact that helped them secure a face-saving draw.

His ton, the first by an Indian against the men from the Caribbean, also secured him the honour of scoring a century against the West Indies in his first Test against them, a feat that was not emulated until six days ago, when Virender Sehwag scored a dazzling hundred in his maiden Test appearance against the Carl Hooper-led current West Indies side.