Len Hutton, Peter May, Denis Compton, Jim Laker and Alec Bedser were among those who did not make the trip, and there was a new captain in Lancashire batsman Nigel Howard.

India proved far tougher opposition than they had for Douglas Jardine's side 18 years previously, with their batting line-up, in particular, showing real quality.

Vijay Merchant (157) and Vijay Hazare (164 not out) helped give the home side a lead of 215 at Delhi, but Allan Watkins batted for nine hours to make an unbeaten 137 in England's second innings and secure a draw.

Hazare maintained his magnificent form with 155 at Bombay and Pankaj Roy weighed in with 140 as India totalled 485.

Tom Graveney made a patient 175 as England replied with 456 and they then dismissed India for 208.

A target of 238 was out of reach in the time left, however, and the match came to an end with England on 55 for two.

The two sides were again unable to produce a positive result in the third Test in Calcutta where a lifeless pitch stifled the batsmen.

England scored 342 batting first and although they had India in some difficulty on 144 for five, the home side managed to add another 200, thanks mainly to Dattu Phadkar's 115.

Opener Dick Spooner made 92 when England batted for a second time, their declaration on 252 for five came well into the final day.

It was simply a question of batting out time and Vinoo Mankad (71) and Roy (31) stayed together until the close.

The wicket for the fourth match at Kanpur was an altogether more sporting proposition, although the generous turn available to the spinners made life difficult for the batsmen.

Hazare chose to bat first after winning the toss but had good cause to regret his decision as Roy Tattersall (six for 48) and Malcolm Hilton (four for 32) skittled them for 121.

Ghulam Ahmed (five for 70) and Mankad shared nine wickets for India, but a defiant 66 by Watkins guided the tourists to a useful lead of 82.

Hilton then claimed five for 61 with Tattersall and Jack Robertson in support, and although Hemu Adhikari scored 60, India's total of 157 left England needing 76 to win.

Mankad bowled Spooner for nought, but Graveney's technique was equal to the task and he finished on 48 not out as England clinched an eight-wicket victory.