Writing for The Indian Express cricketer Abdul Hafeez Kardar who played for both India and Pakistan maintained that if Pakistan "does well in the first two test matches", they would go on to win the series. He felt that the visiting side had the "strongest batting power house ever to be sent out" by Pakistan and that Hanif Mohammad, "the most matured opener of the game", would the main "hurdle" for India.[1]
The Indian squad for the series was announced on 30 November 1960. Rajasthan's all-rounder Rusi Surti was the only new inclusion in the squad.[2]Vijay Manjrekar and Subhash Gupte made their comeback to the squad after a year. It was reported that the Pakistan squad would be announced only an hour before commencement of the First Test.[4] To their squad announced before the First test, Ijaz Butt, Shujauddin Butt, Mohammad Munaf and Intikhab Alam were added for the first-class game against Central Zone.[5]
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first on what was described as a pitch without the "usual grass" on it[4] while staying "firm" and with "little dew".[3]
Leading up to the Third Test, pacer Surendranath was included in the Indian squad while Pankaj Roy was dropped.[10] Pakistan made one change in the team that played the Second Test; Intikhab Alam replaced Alimuddin.[11] A "grassy wicket" aiding bowlers, both seamers and spinners, was expected before the game.[12]
Pakistan's first innings total of 448 was their highest against India.[13] India's total of 539 was their highest and the highest for an India-Pakistan Test.[14]
The series was aired on All India Radio for Indian listeners. For the Second Test the Maharajkumar of Vizianagram, Devraj Puri and V. K. Chakrapani served as commentators,[20] while for the Fourth Test, the Maharaja was accompanied by Pearson Surita and P. Ananda Rau, and Pakistan's Omar Kureishi as the guest commentator.[21]
