Lala Amarnath: 12 interesting facts about independent India’s first Test captain

Lala Amarnath was the man of firsts. He became India’s first Test centurion when he scored 118 on debut against the visiting England at the Bombay Gymkhana.

Born September 11, 1911, Lala Amarnath was the man of firsts. He became India’s first Test centurion when he scored 118 on debut against the visiting England at the Bombay Gymkhana. He later went on to become independent India’s first Test captain, when India toured Australia in 1947-48. Chinmay Jawalekar look at some interesting facts from the life of one of Indian cricket’s most famous personalities. 

1.  Knock that set the tone

Amarnath’s 109 against Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) for Southern Punjab in 1933-34 set the tone for a perfect career. The knock was particularly timely since the team for the first Test against the visiting England side was due to be announced. He eventually got selected.

2.  100 on debut

He made history by scoring 118 on debut at the Bombay Gymkhana, a century that went straight into the record books as India’s first ever.

3.  Amarnath the bowler

Amarnath tasted his first major success as a Test bowler when he captured four wickets at Madras during the same series.

4.  Getting the DON!

Amarnath earned huge reputation as a bowler when he became the only bowler to dismiss the greatest batsman ever Donald Bradman hit wicket during a Test at Brisbane in 1947.

5.  The controversy’s child

He got into a rift with one of the most controversial figures of Indian cricket, ‘Vizzy’, the captain. Maharajakumar of Vizianagram, who saw him infamously sent back from the England tour of 1936. He was by far the best Indian player on that tour and his return to India meant the tour was disastrous for the visitors. He later had fallout with Anthony de Mello, the Board President, in 1949 and was removed as the captain, only to be later reinstated – somewhat ironically – by a committee of selectors led by Vizzy himself.

6.  The witty side

During the 1946 tour of England, Amarnath was extremely economical with the ball. In the game against Somerset, he kept a six-hitting legend like Harold Gimblett quiet with several maiden overs. A frustrated Gimblett asked him, “Don’t you ever bowl a half-volley?” Quick as a flash, Amarnath replied, “Oh yes, I bowled one in 1940.” 

7.  Not to watch Bradman bat but Amarnath

Amarnath led India to Australia in the absence of Vijay Merchant. Although the tour was a disaster, his 228 not out against Victoria and 172 not out against Queensland made him extremely popular. Such was the impact that one newspaper proclaimed, “People in Australia are flocking to the games not to watch Bradman bat but Amarnath.” 

8.  An eye for talent

Amarnath was the chairman of selectors when Australia 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. 

9.  The all-rounder

Amarnath was an all-rounder in the true sense. He could bat, bowl and even keep wickets with precision.

10.  Mentor to his sons

Amarnath also supervised the development of his sons. Surinder, too, made a century on debut; Mohinder (“Jimmy”” played 69 Tests for India and Rajinder played First-Class cricket. He along with Surinder became the only father-son pair to score hundreds on debut.

11.  Lala the scribe

In 1982, India toured Pakistan and Amarnath went as a reporter for PTI. Post-match, Lala just submitted the agency report instead of a detailed match wrap up. When asked by PTI for a comprehensive write-up, a fuming Amarnath asked the telex operator to file it. The operator neither understood English, nor knew anything about cricket. Eventually, it was veteran Pakistani journalist Qamar Ahmed, covering the series for Reuters, who wrote the report for Amarnath.

12.  The patriarchal figure

Amarnath went on to become Indian cricket’s patriarchal figure by serving the country as player, as selector, manager, coach and broadcaster.

Inputs from Arunabha Sengupta

(A self-confessed cricket freak, Chinmay Jawalekar is senior content writer with Criclife. When not writing or following cricket, he loves to read, eat and sleep. He can be followed at @CricfreakTweets)