Getty ImagesIndia’s upcoming cricket tour of Australia continues a historic rivalry that has developed since 1947-48. This tough competition is now eagerly awaited like the Ashes. But the inaugural tour came against the backdrop of the horrors of India’s independence and partition, with the cricketers facing turmoil and communal strife at home, as they prepared to take on Australia’s legendary Donald Bradman and his “Invincibles”. were ready
In 1947, as India prepared for its first cricket tour of Australia, the nation was in the midst of unprecedented upheaval.
Independence came with the painful partition that created Pakistan, sparking the largest and bloodiest exodus in history. In the midst of this chaos and as millions of people crossed the borders, religious violence broke out with Hindus and Sikhs on one side and Muslims on the other. India’s 16-man cricket squad – selected months ago – also had to deal with both personal and national turmoil as they prepared themselves for a historic series.
Anthony DeMelloThe President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the team with a backdrop of a map of undivided India announcing that the team would represent the whole of India.
Until then, the Indian cricket team – known as “All India” – had visited England for official Test matches only three times between 1932 and 1946, losing the series on each occasion.
But in 1946 the future Australian captain Lindsay Heist Brought the Australian Services team to India to celebrate the Allied victory in World War II. India won the unofficial three-match series 1–0 and Haste reported back to Australian cricket officials that the Indians were eligible for an official Test series.
Getty ImagesExcitement and anticipation were high in Indian cricket circles as the team was expected to take on the great Australians, led by the great batsman Donald Bradman. His team was later dubbed “Bradman’s Invincibles” after their undefeated return from England in 1948.
De Melo’s Indian squad was led by opening batsman Vijay Merchant, with his trusted partner Mushtaq Ali serving as deputy.
Both were exceptional in the 1936 and 1946 English tours, further cementing their leadership roles. The squad also boasted the handsome batsman Russi Modi and the talented debutant fast bowler. Fazl MahmoodAdding a dynamic mix of experience and fresh talent.
But both Merchant and Modi withdrew from the tour on medical grounds. Ali also withdrew from family responsibilities after the death of his elder brother.
As a result, Lala Amarnath was announced as the new captain and Vijay Hazare His deputy
However, the violence that erupted after Partition almost prevented Amarnath from reaching Australia. According to his son Rajendra Amarnath’s 2004 biography, Lala Amarnath narrowly escaped a communal mob in Patiala, Indian Punjab. His house in Lahore, now in Pakistan, was lost forever along with its priceless artefacts.
He also faced danger while traveling by train to Delhi.
At a station in Indian Punjab, a policeman recognized Amarnath and gave him a bracelet – a steel bangle worn by Sikhs and many Hindus as a religious symbol. Later, a mob at the station rescues the cricketer because of Kada – perhaps assuring them that he shares their faith.
On the other side of the religious divide, fast bowler Mahmood finds himself confronted by a deadly mob on a train.
The team had scheduled two weeks of training in Pune (then Pune) from 15 August – although it was not known at the time that that day was the time for the partition of India.
Group EzekielDespite the restrictions, Mehmood reached Pune for the training camp. He then went to Bombay (now Mumbai) on his way to Lahore. He writes in his 2003 autobiography that two men on the train threatened him, but former Indian captain CK Naidu intervened, bat in hand, and warned them.
Once he reached Lahore under curfew, Mahmood was horrified to see the bloodshed there and decided to stay in Pakistan and not visit Australia. He later became part of the Pakistan cricket team and made his Test debut against India in 1952–53.
Two other members of India’s squad for the tour of Australia – Gul Mohammad and Amir Elahi – also later moved to Pakistan and played against India in the 1952–53 series.
Despite these setbacks, India’s tour went ahead, although a weakened India faced Australia without four of its key players and lost the series 4–0.
The two countries now play each other roughly every two years. However, the miracle is that the inaugural tour of 1947-48 took place at all in the face of turmoil at home.
Glo Ezekiel is the author of 17 sports books, his latest book Saleem Durrani: The Prince of Indian Cricket, released earlier this year.
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