Lala Amarnath – First Batsman to Score a Century for India
Lala Amarnath played 24 Test Matches for India and scored 878 runs and took 45 wickets. He played for India between 1933 and 1952. He lost prime cricketing years due to World War II. Lala was the only cricketer to dismiss Donald Bradman hit wicket. After retirement, he worked as a chairman of the senior selection committee in BCCI and commentator as well. Lala was born in Kapurthala, Punjab, and was brought up by Azmat and Shafqat Ranas’ family in Lahore. His sons Surinder & Mohinder Amarnath also played Test cricket for India.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe First Test Match, Century and Reception:
Douglas Jardine’s English team reached India in December 1933. They were high on confidence after bodyline ashes victory by four games to one. The first Test match was scheduled to play at Bombay Gymkhana on December 15, 1933. It was also the first Test match ever played on Indian soil and the excitement was skyrocketing. Double-decker stands were built for the spectators.
Lala Amarnath was the highest scorer in the first innings. He scored 38 runs. Lala played magnificently in the second innings and scored 118. He became the first Indian cricketer to score a century in a Test match. It was massive, the crowd went bizarre. The emotions were high everywhere and while returning to pavilion the spectators threw jewelry to Lala Amarnath as a token of appreciation from ladies stand. In fact, he had to address the crowd to control the situation.
Later, when he was travelling back home, the train stopped in all the stations and fans celebrated his achievement. He became the icon of Indian cricket.
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