Which was the first non test playing country to defeat India in an international cricket match?

Introduction / Context:
In the early years of One Day International cricket, India faced not only established Test nations but also associate or non test playing countries. A famous historical fact is that India suffered an upset defeat to a non test playing side at a Cricket World Cup. This question asks you to recall which country that was, highlighting an important moment in cricket history.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• We focus on an international cricket match involving India and a country that at that time did not yet have Test status.
• The question asks for the first such non test playing country that defeated India.
• Options include several associate and later Test nations: Sri Lanka, Canada, Zimbabwe, East Africa and Bangladesh.
• We assume One Day International history as the context.

Concept / Approach:
In the 1979 Cricket World Cup held in England, India played against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, Manchester. At that time, Sri Lanka had not yet been granted Test status and was considered a non test playing nation. In that match, Sri Lanka defeated India by 47 runs. This result is widely recorded as the first time India lost to a non test playing country in international cricket. Sri Lanka later gained Test status in the early 1980s, but during that World Cup they were still an associate team.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the upset defeat occurred in the 1979 Cricket World Cup. Step 2: Identify the opponent in that match as Sri Lanka, who were an associate side at that time. Step 3: Remember that Sri Lanka had not yet been granted Test playing status during that World Cup. Step 4: Check the answer options and locate Sri Lanka among the candidates. Step 5: Select Sri Lanka as the correct answer and verify that the other listed countries did not defeat India earlier as non test nations.

Verification / Alternative check:
Cricket history references state that Sri Lanka won their first World Cup match by beating India in 1979 and that this was also India first defeat to a non test playing nation. Sri Lanka gained Test status later, in 1981. Canada, Zimbabwe, East Africa and Bangladesh did not achieve this specific combination of being non test sides and defeating India earlier than that match. This consistent timeline confirms Sri Lanka as the correct country.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Canada: India has faced Canada in limited overs cricket, but Canada did not become the first non test side to beat India.
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe gained full membership and Test status later and did not hold this particular historical first against India while still non test.
East Africa: East Africa participated in early World Cups but did not record this first win against India.
Bangladesh: Bangladesh became a Test nation much later and India defeats to them do not predate the 1979 loss to Sri Lanka.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse the timeline of when different countries received Test status, especially for Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Others may guess based only on more recent upsets involving Bangladesh or associate teams. To avoid such mistakes, remember the key facts: 1979 World Cup, Old Trafford, Sri Lanka as an associate side and a 47 run defeat for India. This compact story links the country, match and status in a way that is easy to recall in exams.

Final Answer:
The first non test playing country to defeat India in an international cricket match was Sri Lanka.