18 Interesting facts about Lala Amarnath - India's first Test centurion

18 Interesting facts about Lala Amarnath – India’s first Test centurion: If there ever was a fatherly figure in Indian Cricket it has to be Lala Amarnath. His figures in the 24 Tests are nothing special, but they do no justice to his enduring influence. Known for his artistry on the cricket field, Nanik Amarnath Bhardwaj or Lala Amarnath was also independent India’s first captain. Born on this day 114 years ago, he remains Indian cricket’s most colourful character. Though inevitably controversial because of his outspokenness, he was both charismatic and somebody who had a special appeal.

Check out 18 Interesting facts about Lala Amarnath – India’s first Test centurion:

1. Early life:

Born in Punjab he later moved to Lahore (now in Pakistan). Playing for Southern Punjab in the year 1933 against MCC he created stirs by scoring 109 runs. As a matter of fact the Cricket Magazine Wisden quoted his performance as ‘A Brilliant Display’.

2. Major teams:

The major teams he has played for apart from India include Gujarat, Hindus, Maharaja of Patiala’s XI, Railways, Southern Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

3. A unique record:

Amarnath holds the distinction of being the only bowler to get Donald Bradman out hit wicket.

4. Controversy of 1936:

Amarnath was a part of the Indian squad that went to tour England in 1936. Maharaj Kumar of Vizianagaram (also known as Vizzy) was the sponsor and Captain of the team. During the tour Amarnath supposedly had some problems with the team management and was sent back home in the middle on charges of indisciplinary behaviour.

5. First captain of Independent India:

In November 1947, he was made the Captain of the Indian Test team which visited Australia, hence, making him the first skipper of a Test team of Independent India. Australia won 4 out of 5 Test matches played in the series, while the 5th one was a draw.

6. Cricket in the blood:

Amarnath’s sons – Surinder, Mohinder and Rajinder – all played first-class cricket, with the first two also representing India.

7. Remarkable:

Lala Amarnath, was the first Indian cricketer to score a Test century. His achievement was doubly impressive as he managed to reach his landmark in his debut Test only (against England).

Also Read – 10 Players to score the first ever Test centuries for their teams

8. A tour to forget:

During India’s tour of Australia in 1947-48, Amarnath’s men were humbled by Bradman & Co. He himself failed to do anything substantial in the Test series, averaging 14 with the bat and taking just 13 wickets across five matches.

9. International career in numbers:

His international record is nothing spectacular – 878 runs at 24.38 and 45 wickets at 32.91 from 24 Test matches. But, his influence on Indian cricket, goes far ahead of these stats, as he was the first to oppose the domination of Indian cricket by local princes and their English backers. He also wasn’t afraid to express his views.

10. First class career:

In his 186 first-class matches, Lala Amarnath scored 10426 runs, including 31 centuries and 39 half-centuries with a highest score of 262, at an average of 41.37. He took 463 wickets with his medium-pace bowling at an average of 22.98 and strike rate of 63.6.

11. The dark phase: 

After his 3rd Test against England at Chennai in February 1934, Amarnath had to sit for a period of 12 years before he could play his 4th Test match. He was one of the few Cricket players who raised a voice against the dominance of Royal figures and their supporters prevailing in the Cricket scenario of India those days, and consequently had to pay the price by suffering the damage to his career.

12. First series victory for India:

It was under his leadership that India won their first-ever Test series 2-1 against Pakistan in 1952.

13. A strict father:

There are many anecdotes about Amarnath, the strict father in the domestic circuit. This includes an unverified instance of him walking into the dressing-room and slapping one of his sons for getting out to a poor stroke in a Ranji Trophy match.

14. Qualities as a skipper:

As a captain, Lala Amarnath was lauded for his aggressiveness, tactical acumen and being a remarkable reader of the pitch.

15. A bold move:

Amarnath was the chairman of selectors when Australia toured India and trounced India by an innings and 127 runs at Delhi. He used his veto power to select the unheralded Jasu Patel for the second Test at Kanpur. Patel took 14 wickets, and India won the Test by 119 runs.

16. Truly deserved:

For his great service to Indian cricket he was awarded Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1991.

17. In the honour of the Great Man:

In 2011, the BCCI decided to institute an award in Lala Amarnath’s name for the best all-rounder in the Ranji Trophy and the best all-rounder in limited overs domestic competition to commemorate the great man’s centenary.

18. Post retirement ventures:

After his retirement, Lala Amarnath took the roles of chairman of selectors; and the manager the Indian team. He also served as an expert commentator on All India Radio and Television for several years.