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20 years of Lagaan: Aamir Khan's movie vs India's first-ever Test

Lagaan, directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, and starring the likes of Aamir Khan, Gracey Singh and Paul Blackthorne was a fictional period-drama set in 1893, during the late Victorian period of India's colonial British Raj. The story revolves around a small village in Central India, whose inhabitants, burdened by high taxes, and several years of drought, find themselves in an extraordinary situation as an arrogant British army officer challenges them to a game of cricket, as a wager to avoid paying the taxes they owe. Indian cricket team, though, played ther first official match much later -- against England on June 28, 1932. It was not a fairytale result as India lost to a full-strength England side by 158 runs at Lord's. Here we compare the characters from the movie Lagaan to the members of the Indian playing XI in their first-ever match.

No fairytale end like Lagaan for 1932 Test team

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No fairytale end like Lagaan for 1932 Test team

Lagaan had a fairytale finish but India had to wait for a long-time for their first Test win. CK Nayudu's Team India were set 346 to win after conceding a 70-run first-innings lead. India were bowled out for just 187 with all-rounder Amar Singh top-scoring with 51. (Source: Twitter)

All-rounder Deva was Amar Singh

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The all-rounder Deva was actually Amar Singh in the Indian side, who opened the bowling alongside Nissar at Lord's. (Source: Twitter)

The all-rounder Deva was actually Amar Singh in the Indian side, who opened the bowling alongside Nissar at Lord's. (Source: Twitter)

Ishwar, the wicketkeeper was Janardhan Nawle

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Ishwar the wicket-keeper in Lagaan was Janardhan Nawle in Indian team, who also opened the batting in 1932 Lord's Test. (Source: Twitter)

Ishwar the wicket-keeper in Lagaan was Janardhan Nawle in Indian team, who also opened the batting in 1932 Lord's Test. (Source: Twitter)

Bhuvan is inspired from CK Nayudu

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Bhuvan or Aamir Khan's character was inspired from Indian captain CK Nayudu, the nation's first Test captain. (Source: Twitter)

Bhuvan or Aamir Khan's character was inspired from Indian captain CK Nayudu, the nation's first Test captain. Nayudu top-scored with 40 in Indian essay of 189 in the first innings. (Source: Twitter)

Bhura was based on Mohammed Nissar

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Bhura's character was loosely based on Indian paceman Mohammed Nissar, who picked up India's first five-wicket haul. (Source: Twitter)

Bhura's character was loosely based on Indian paceman Mohammed Nissar, who picked up India's first five-wicket haul. Nissar picked up 5/93 in the first innings as England were bowled out for 259. (Source: Twitter)