|
|
Born: March 11, 1915, Sangli, Maharashtra
Died: December 18, 2004, Baroda
Major teams: India, Baroda, Central India, Maharashtra
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Bowling style: Right-arm medium
Achievements:Captained India to its first ever Test win in 1951-52 against England; first Indian batsman to score a triple century in first class cricket; first Indian to score a century in each innings of a Test match (116 and 145 against Australia); first Indian player to make fifty centuries in his first class career
Vijay Hazare, one of India's finest batsmen ever, made his Test debut against England in 1946. The highlight of his career was the friendly rivalry he struck up with Vijay Merchant, under whom he made his Test debut. In their bid to outdo each other, the two Vijays set the domestic cricket stage on fire by scoring double and triple centuries galore.
Vijay Hazare shot into prominence at the age of 24 with a brilliant triple century (316 not out) in the Ranji Trophy for Maharashtra against Baroda in 1939-40, thus becoming the first Indian to achieve the feat.
True to his cricketing genius, Vijay Hazare did exceedingly well during overseas tours. When India toured Australia in 1947-48, Hazare scored a century in each innings of the Adelaide Test (116 and 145), pulling and hooking the likes of Keith Miller and Ray Lindwall with disdain.
In 1951-52 Hazare was named the captain of the Indian team and in the first series at home he led India to her maiden Test victory at Madras when India defeated England by an innings and eight runs. Though he captained India in 14 test matches, it is generally believed that he was a natural captain and the stress of leading a young side took its toll on his batting.
