Pancha Pandavas

In Indian football, The Pancha Pandavas[1][2] or The VADAS[2][1] refers to the East Bengal F.C. penta-forwardline consisting of Ahmed Khan, Apparao, P. Venkatesh, P.B.A Saleh and K.P. Dhanaraj, who in between 1949-53, won 11 major titles which included 3 back to back IFA Shield titles: (1949-51), 3 Calcutta Football Leagues, 2 Durand Cups, 1 Rovers Cup and 2 D.C.M. Trophies.[3]

Appa Rao joined East Bengal FC in 1941 and played for a consecutive 15 seasons until 1955, the longest among The VADAS. P.B.A. Saleh joined in 1945, P. Venkatesh joined in 1948, Ahmed Khan and K.P. Dhanaraj joined in 1949. They played together till 1953. Venkatesh, Saleh and Dhanaraj left the club after 1953, hence ending the famous Pancha Pandavas era.[4]

After winning 3 back to back IFA Shield in 1951, the first-ever by an Indian club, then the English FA annual almanac 1951-52 adjudged East Bengal F.C. as the best Indian football team.[5][1] [6]

In 1952, East Bengal FC defeated FC Gothenburg of Sweden 1-0, scored by P.B.A. Saleh, in a friendly game in Calcutta.[5][1]

Europe Tour
Further information: East Bengal F.C. in Asian football

In 1953, the East Bengal team toured Romania and Soviet Union, becoming the first Indian team to tour Europe.[1] East Bengal FC became 4th in the World Youth Festival held in Bucharest. The Pandavas enthralled the audiences with a fine display of skills and tricks.[1]

After the brilliant show, East Bengal FC were invited to Soviet Union, where they drew 3-3 against FC Torpedo Moscow in Moscow, with 2 goals from P. Venkatesh, including a brilliant free-kick to equalise the game.[1]

Statistics
The 2-3-5 formation

The Pancha Pandavas were all forwards in the traditional 2-3-5 formation. P. Venkatesh and P.B.A Saleh were the right and left Outside-forwards respectively, Ahmed Khan was the Left Inside-forward, Apparao was the Right Inside-forward and K.P. Dhanaraj was the Centre forward. Between 1949 and 1953, East Bengal scored 347 goals out of which The Pancha Pandavas scored 260 goals.[7]

Goals by the Pancha Pandavas
Goals scored by the Pancha Pandavas for East Bengal[8]
Name Goals
K.P. Dhanaraj126
P. Venkatesh81
Ahmed Khan63
Appa Rao61
P.B.A Saleh55
Total386

References
  1. "History - East Bengal Club". East Bengal Club. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  2. "Flame And Glory! East Bengal Football Club Celebrates A Glorious Century". Outlook India. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  3. "Trophy Room - East Bengal Club". East Bengal Club. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  4. "East Bengal Club - Team Archives". East Bengal Club. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  5. "The saga of East Bengal". The Hindu. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  6. "History - The AIFF". The AIFF. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  7. "LEGENDS OF INDIAN FOOTBALL : AHMED KHAN". The Hard Tackle. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  8. "Total goals scored by Pancha Pandava (VADAS)". East Bengal Club. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
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