Lala Amarnath

Infobox Historic Cricketer


nationality = Indian
country = India
country abbrev = IND
name = Lala Amarnath
picture = Cricket_no_pic.pngbatting style = Right-hand bat (RHB)
bowling style = Right-arm medium pace
tests = 24
test runs = 878
test bat avg = 24.38
test 100s/50s = 1/4
test top score = 118
test balls = 4241
test wickets = 45
test bowl avg = 32.91
test 5s = 2
test 10s = -
test best bowling = 5/96
test catches/stumpings = 13
FCs = 184
FC runs = 10,426
FC bat avg = 41.37
FC 100s/50s = 31/59
FC top score = 262
FC balls = 29.474
FC wickets = 463
FC bowl avg = 22.98
FC 5s = 19
FC 10s = 3
FC best bowling = 7/27
FC catches/stumpings = 96/2
debut date = 15 December
debut year = 1933
last date = 12 December
last year = 1952
source = http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/0/623/623.html

Nanik Amarnath Bhardwaj audio|Lala_Amarnath.ogg|pronunciation (commonly known as Lala Amarnath; 11 September 1911 – 5 August 2000) was an Indian Test cricketer. He was the first cricketer to score a Test century for the Indian cricket team, which he achieved on debut. He was also independent India's first Test captain, leading the team on a tour of Australia in 1947-1948.

Amarnath was born in Kapurthala, Punjab, and was raised in Lahore.

He played his debut match against England in 1933 on the Bombay Gymkhana grounds in South Bombay. Amarnath also played for the Hindus in the Bombay Quadrangular. Aside from being a tenacious batsman, Lala Amarnath was also a bowler of some repute and was the only bowler to dismiss Donald Bradman hit wicket.

Amarnath was controversially sent back from the 1936 tour of England by the captain, the Maharajkumar of Vizianagram, for "indiscipline". Amarnath and others allege it was due to politics.

When the Partition of India took place in August 1947, Amarnath and his family had to flee the city to escape a Muslim mob. He lived in Patiala in the Indian state of Punjab till 1957, when he moved to the capital, Delhi. Amarnath is widely respected for reaching out to bridge the divide between players and fans of India and Pakistan, caused by political tensions between the two countriesFact|date=February 2007.

Amarnath as captain was complimented for being straightforward and aggressive, and possessing great tactical acumen. Under his leadership, India won its first-ever Test against the Pakistan cricket team in Delhi in 1952, and went on to win the series 2-1. Amarnath also managed the team when it toured Pakistan in 1954-55.

His sons Mohinder and Surinder also played cricket for India.

Legacy

All throughout his twilight years, Amarnath was considered a living legend of Indian cricketFact|date=February 2007. When he died in 2000, the entire Indian cricket community, millions of fans, and legendary cricketers and fans from nations like Australia, Pakistan, England and the West Indies paid their respects and mourned togetherFact|date=February 2007.

External links

* [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/india/content/player/26223.html Cricinfo Player Profile of Amarnath]
* [http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/0/623/623.html Cricketarchive Player Profile of Amarnath]

Persondata
NAME=Nanik Amarnath Bhardwaj
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Amarnath, Lala
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Cricketer
DATE OF BIRTH=11 September 1911
PLACE OF BIRTH=Kapurthala, Punjab
DATE OF DEATH=5 August 2000
PLACE OF DEATH=New Delhi, India