Lala Amarnath, Cricketer
Cricketer

Lala Amarnath

Born 11 September 1911 · Punjab — Died 5 August 2000

Scored India's first Test century in 1933 and captained India to their first Test series win in 1952.

Lala Amarnath Bhardwaj was an Indian cricketer. He is considered to be the father figure of Indian cricket. He scored the first ever century for India in Test Cricket in 1933. He was independent India's first cricket captain and captained India in their first Test series win against Pakistan in 1952.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Lala Amarnath is the only bowler to have dismissed Don Bradman hit wicket, an extraordinarily rare occurrence in cricket history.

The Story

1
🌟 In December 1933 at Bombay Gymkhana, Lala Amarnath scored 118 runs in 185 minutes, marking the first Test century for India, a feat achieved on his very debut against England, although India lost by nine wickets.
2
In 1936, during England's tour, Amarnath was controversially sent home by captain Maharajkumar of Vizianagram amid team politics and allegations of indiscipline, reflecting early conflicts between players and princely captains.
3🎖️ After Partition in 1947, Amarnath fled Lahore due to communal violence, relocating to Patiala and soon becoming independent India's first Test cricket captain, leading the team on the 1947-48 Australia tour.
4🏏 In November 1947, Amarnath became the only bowler to dismiss the legendary Don Bradman hit wicket during a Test match, a rare and unusual mode of dismissal in cricket history.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1991
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 1933, Lala Amarnath scored 118 runs on his Test debut against England in Bombay, becoming the first Indian to reach a Test century on debut, yet he never scored another hundred in his 24-match Test career.

🖼️

Through the Years

3 photographs from the archives
Lala Amarnath batting against Middlesex at Lord's cricket ground in 1936.
Lala Amarnath batting against Middlesex at Lord's cricket ground in 1936.
1936
Lala Amarnath being dismissed lbw by Sid Barnes during the Australia-India Test at MCG in 1948.
Lala Amarnath with President Rajendra Prasad and Abdul Hafeez Kardar at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 1952.

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Lahore, Punjab
Nanik Amarnath Bhardwaj was born in an impoverished Punjabi-speaking Brahmin family in Lahore, Punjab.
1911
⚡
Career
Test debut century in Bombay
Scored 118 runs against England at Bombay Gymkhana, the first Indian to score a Test century on debut.
1933
⚡
Career
Sent home from England tour
Sent back from England tour by captain Vizzy amid team disputes over captaincy and politics.
1936
🌟
Other
Partition and relocation
Fled Lahore due to Partition violence, settled in Patiala, Punjab before becoming India’s first post-independence Test captain.
1947
⚡
Career
Dismissed Don Bradman hit wicket
Became the only bowler to dismiss legendary batsman Don Bradman hit wicket during a Test match.
1947
⚡
Career
Led India to first Test series win
Captained India to its first Test series victory by beating Pakistan 2-1 in a five-match series in Delhi.
1952
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received the Padma Bhushan civilian honor from the Government of India recognizing his contribution to cricket.
1991
🕊️
Death
Death at age 88
Lala Amarnath passed away, leaving a multi-generational cricket legacy in India.
2000
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

During the 1936 England tour, Amarnath was sent home mid-tour by captain Vizzy amid accusations of indiscipline, a move widely believed to be politically motivated due to team factionalism.

02 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Lala Amarnath and his family had to flee Lahore during Partition violence in August 1947, relocating to Patiala before he became independent India's first Test captain.

03 / 04
💡SURPRISING

In November 1947, Amarnath dismissed Don Bradman hit wicket during a Test match, the only bowler ever to do so to the Australian legend.

No quote recorded for Lala Amarnath yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Sunil Gavaskar Reminisces About Lala Amarnath, CK Nayudu & Kapil Dev | The Quint
More from this archive
Sunil Gavaskar Reminisces About Lala Amarnath, CK Nayudu & Kapil Dev | The Quint
01
Sunil Gavaskar Reminisces About Lala Amarnath, CK Nayudu & Kapil Dev | The Quint
Gavaskar, Amarnath & Kirsten - Panel Discussion with Cricket Legends by Anil Joseph
02
Gavaskar, Amarnath & Kirsten - Panel Discussion with Cricket Legends by Anil Joseph
Pathaan और Dunki के बाद बनेगी Lala Amarnath की Biopic | ENT LIVE
03
Pathaan और Dunki के बाद बनेगी Lala Amarnath की Biopic | ENT LIVE

🌱 What changed because of them

Lala Amarnath transformed Indian cricket by breaking princely dominance and bridging communal divides in a newly independent nation, leading India to its first Test series win. His role as selector helped usher in a new generation of cricketers, and his family continued his legacy, notably through Mohinder Amarnath’s performances in the 1983 World Cup. Institutions like the BCCI benefited from his leadership and vision in shaping Indian cricket administration post-independence.

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