Hinduism: Details about 'Lala Amarnath'
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Nanik Amarnath Bhardwaj (commonly known as Lala Amarnath; September 11, 1911 – August 5, 2000) was an Indian Test cricketer. He was the first cricketer to score a Test century for the Indian cricket team, which he achieved in his debut Test. He was also Independent India's first Test captain, leading the team to a tour of Australia in 1947-1948. He is widely regarded as one of the earliest Indian legends of cricket, alongside with Ranjitsinhji and Duleepsinhji. 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. Along with being a tenacious batsman, Lala Amarnath was also a bowler of some repute and is the only bowler to have got Donald Bradman out 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 more politics. When the Partition of India took place in August 1947, Amarnath and his family had to flee the city to escape the Muslim mobs that looted his house and almost killed him. Amarnath lived in Patiala in the Indian state of Punjab till 1957, when he moved to the capital, Delhi. However to this day, he remains a legend and an adored figure in Pakistan, with many friends of the era before partition, like Pakistani legends Fazal Mahmood. 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 countries. Amarnath as captain was complimented for being straightforward, aggressive and possessing a tactical genius. Under him, India won the first-ever Test against the Pakistan cricket team in Delhi in 1952, and won the series 2-1. Amarnath also managed the team when it toured Pakistan in 1954-55. His sons Mohinder Amarnath and Surinder Amarnath, the latter of which also scored a century on his debut, also played cricket for India. Mohinder was considered one of the best Indian all-rounders ever, and along with captain Kapil Dev, the hero of the Indian victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup. LegacyAll throughout his twilight years, Amarnath was considered a living legend of Indian cricket. When he passed away 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 together. Amidst the shining glory of men like Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Rahul Dravid, modern heroes of the game in India, Amarnath remains on top, above all and pure.
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