Lala Amarnath

This document is a book titled "Lala Amarnath" by Kumarpal Desai, published by Balbharti Pustak Shreni in 1998. The book is part of a series aimed at providing children with inspiring stories of prominent Indian figures.

The book details the life and career of Lala Amarnath, a legendary Indian cricketer, highlighting his contributions to the sport and his impact on Indian cricket.

Key aspects covered in the book include:

• Early Life and Career: Lala Amarnath's birth in Lahore in 1911, his initial cricket training in Aligarh and Lahore, and his emergence as a wicket-keeper and promising batsman.
• Test Debut and Historic Century: The book vividly describes his Test debut on December 17, 1933, against the MCC. It emphasizes his courageous century in this match, which was not only his maiden Test century but also the first-ever Test century by an Indian cricketer. His score of 118 runs in 180 minutes against a formidable English bowling attack is portrayed as a legendary feat.
• Versatile Cricketer: Amarnath is presented as a versatile player who began as a wicket-keeper, evolved into a dashing batsman, excelled as a bowler, and concluded his career as a renowned all-rounder. The book mentions an instance where he took five catches as a wicket-keeper in a Test match, alongside scoring runs and bowling.
• Controversial Career: The book acknowledges that Amarnath's career was marked by controversies. It details the incident during the 1936 tour of England where he was sent back to India for alleged indiscipline, a decision that sparked widespread debate and was later found to be too harsh by an inquiry committee.
• Dominant Player and Record Breaker: Amarnath's prowess with the bat is highlighted through his many notable performances, including scoring 241 runs against an Australian team in 1938, a feat that set a new record at the time. His consistent performance in domestic cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy, is also mentioned.
• Bowler and Captain: The book details his significant bowling achievements, including taking wickets against strong teams and his skillful bowling during the 1946 tour of England. It also covers his captaincy of the Indian team, notably during the 1947 tour of Australia, where he led the team with courage and inspired a sense of team spirit despite challenging circumstances.
• "The Byron of Indian Cricket": His flamboyant personality, outspoken nature, and tendency to court controversy earned him the moniker "The Byron of Indian Cricket."
• Mentorship and Legacy: The book mentions Amarnath's role in mentoring and inspiring many young Indian cricketers, including his sons Surinder and Mohinder Amarnath, who also went on to represent India. He is credited with helping them overcome challenges and achieve success.
• Personal Philosophy: Amarnath believed that a half-century scored on a difficult pitch was more valuable than a century on an easy one, reflecting his emphasis on grit and determination.
• Overall Impact: The book concludes by highlighting Lala Amarnath's indelible mark on Indian cricket as a pioneering Test centurion, the first captain to lead India abroad, and a significant all-rounder who left a lasting legacy on the sport in India.

In essence, the book "Lala Amarnath" is a tribute to a charismatic and impactful figure in Indian cricket, tracing his journey from a young talent to a legendary all-rounder, captain, and mentor, while also acknowledging the controversies that shaped his remarkable career.