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Born: September 11, 1911, Kapurthala, Punjab
Died: August 5, 2000, New Delhi
Major teams: India, Gujarat, Hindus, Maharajah of Patiala's XI, Railways, Uttar Pradesh
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Bowling style: Right-arm medium
Achievements:First Indian cricketer to score a Test century (also on debut); independent India's first Test captain; Captained India to its first Test series win (against Pakistan in 1952)
Lala Amarnath burst into the cricketing scene when he scored a brilliant hundred on test debut against England at the Bombay Gymkhana in 1933. That innings-the first Test century by an Indian-provided a glimpse to the aggressive, unconventional nature of the man as he chose to race to his hundred in 117 minutes when India was precariously positioned at 21 for 2.
Fiercely independent and outspoken, Lala was known for his frequent run-ins with authorities. He was sent back from England during India's 1936 tour after an outburst against the then-captain, the Maharajkumar of Vizianagram.
The Second World War robbed the best years of him, as it did to many cricketers--his fourth Test, in England in 1946, came 13 years after his first. As independent India's first captain to tour Australia in 1947, Lala showcased his batting prowess with some magnificent knocks against the first-class teams.
After losing the captaincy and his form against England in 1951-52, he was restored as captain against Pakistan in 1952-53 and won the series for India. In 24 Tests, Lala Amaranth scored 878 runs at an average of 24.38 with the one hundred he scored on his debut as his highest.
