Lala Amarnath Bharadwaj (1911–2000) was an Indian cricketer and the first captain of the Indian cricket team in Test cricket. He was a prominent figure in Indian cricket during the pre-independence era and made significant contributions to the sport.
Here are some key points about Lala Amarnath:
- Early Life: Lala Amarnath was born on September 11, 1911, in Kapurthala, Punjab, India.
- Cricket Career: Lala Amarnath was a talented all-rounder, known for his aggressive batting and effective medium-pace bowling. He made his first-class debut for Punjab in 1933.
- Test Debut: Lala Amarnath made history by becoming the first captain of the Indian cricket team in Test cricket. He led India in their inaugural Test match against England at Lord's in June 1932.
- Batting Style: Amarnath was a stylish right-handed batsman known for his elegant strokeplay. He played many memorable innings for India and various domestic teams.
- Bowling: Apart from his batting prowess, Lala Amarnath was a handy medium-pace bowler. He often contributed with crucial wickets for his team.
- Achievements: Lala Amarnath played 24 Test matches for India, scoring 878 runs at an average of 24.38. He also took 45 wickets at an average of 33.35.
- Post-Cricket Career: After retiring from cricket, Lala Amarnath served as a cricket administrator and coach. He played a significant role in the development of cricket in India.
- Awards: In recognition of his contributions to Indian cricket, Lala Amarnath was honored with the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in 1991.
- Family Legacy: Lala Amarnath's sons, Mohinder Amarnath and Surinder Amarnath, also represented India in international cricket, continuing the family's legacy in the sport.
- Death: Lala Amarnath passed away on August 5, 2000, in Delhi, India, at the age of 88.
Lala Amarnath remains an iconic figure in Indian cricket history, known for his pioneering role as India's first Test captain and his significant contributions to the sport both on and off the field.
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