Birthday Special: 5 facts about the Indian great Lala Amarnath

Lala Amarnath Bharadwaj, fondly remembered as ‘Lala’, was one of the most iconic figures in the history of Indian cricket. A master of rigid personality, Lala Amarnath contributed to Indian cricket in almost all roles for the team. His three sons also went on to play cricket, two even represented the Indian team at the highest level. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1991 for his invaluable contribution to the country. On the eve of his 111th birth anniversary, we celebrate the legendary cricketer by listing a few facts about his life.

First Indian cricketer to hit a ton in Tests

The Legendary Indian cricketer made his Test debut at the Bombay Gymkhana in 1933 against England and recorded a terrific century in the match to become the first Indian cricketer to breach the three-figure mark in Test cricket. Although he finished on the losing side, his name went into the folklore of Indian cricket.

The first captain of the Independent India team

While CK Nayudu holds the honor of leading the Indian cricket team for the first time in Test cricket, it was Lala Amarnath who was the first captain of the independent Indian cricket team and also holds the distinction of the country’s first Test series victory against arch-rivals Pakistan in 1952.

Back-to-back 5-wicket haul against England in 1946

Amarnath featured for the Indian team in the first Test against England at Lord’s, for the first time in 12 years. The veteran all-rounder managed to snare five English batters along with scoring a sturdy half-century in the second innings. He backed it up with another fifer in the following Test at Manchester.

Only father-son duo to register tons on Test debut

Lala Amarnath was a well-accomplished cricketer himself but was also a proud father of three sons who plied their trade in the same field as their father. Two of whom went on to represent the Indian team on the international arena. His eldest son, Surinder Amarnath, made his debut in 1976 and scored a century, replicating his father’s feat. His remarkable ton meant that he and his father became the only father-son duo to score a century on their Test debut.

Slapped one of his sons for getting out to a poor stroke in a Ranji Trophy match.

There have been tales of Lala Amarnath being a strict father, who wanted to mold his sons into international cricketers, a feat he did manage to achieve. Such was his intolerance towards failure that he reportedly walked into a dressing room during a Ranji trophy match and slapped one of his sons for getting out on a poor shot.