India’s Inaugural Cricket Tour to Australia: A Near Cancellation Amidst National Upheaval

The ongoing cricket rivalry between India and Australia traces its origins back to the 1947-48 season. This intense contest is currently anticipated with a fervor comparable to that of the Ashes series. However, the initial tour took place amidst the severe circumstances of India’s independence and partition, requiring the cricketers to contend with domestic unrest and sectarian conflict while preparing to compete against Australia’s renowned Donald Bradman and his “Invincibles”. In 1947, India was experiencing unparalleled turmoil as it made preparations for its inaugural cricket tour of Australia. The achievement of independence was accompanied by the arduous partition that led to the formation of Pakistan, initiating one of the most extensive and violent migrations in history. During this period of disorder, with millions migrating across newly drawn borders, religious violence escalated, involving Hindus and Sikhs against Muslims. India’s 16-member cricket squad, chosen several months prior, also faced both individual and national instability while getting ready for a significant series. Anthony De Mello, then president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, unveiled the team against a map depicting undivided India, stating that the squad would represent the entirety of India. Prior to this, the Indian cricket team, referred to as “All India,” had undertaken only three official Test match tours to England between 1932 and 1946, suffering series defeats in each instance. However, in 1946, Lindsay Hassett, who would later captain Australia, led an Australian Services team to India to commemorate the Allies’ triumph in World War Two. India secured a 1-0 victory in the unofficial three-match series, and Hassett subsequently informed Australian cricket authorities that the Indian team merited an official Test series. Significant excitement and anticipation permeated Indian cricket circles regarding the prospect of the team confronting the formidable Australians, under the leadership of the legendary batsman Donald Bradman. Bradman’s team was subsequently named “Bradman’s Invincibles” following their undefeated return from England in 1948. De Mello’s Indian squad was captained by the accomplished opening batsman Vijay Merchant, with his dependable partner Mushtaq Ali appointed as vice-captain. Both players had performed exceptionally during the English tours of 1936 and 1946, thereby solidifying their leadership positions. The team also included the stylish batter Rusi Modi and the promising fast bowler Fazal Mahmood, who was set to debut, creating a vibrant blend of seasoned players and new talent. Nevertheless, both Merchant and Modi withdrew from the tour due to medical reasons. Ali also pulled out after the passing of his elder brother, which left him with family obligations. Consequently, Lala Amarnath was named the new captain, with Vijay Hazare as his deputy. Yet, the post-partition violence almost hindered Amarnath’s journey to Australia. A 2004 biography by his son, Rajender Amarnath, states that Lala Amarnath barely avoided a sectarian mob in Patiala, located in Indian Punjab. His residence in Lahore, now part of Pakistan, along with its valuable artifacts, was permanently lost. He also faced peril during a train trip to Delhi. At a station in Indian Punjab, a police officer identified Amarnath and presented him with a kada – a steel bangle worn by Sikhs and numerous Hindus as a religious emblem. Subsequently, a mob at the station spared the cricketer due to the kada, which likely led them to assume he shared their religious beliefs. Conversely, on the other side of the religious conflict, pace bowler Mahmood encountered a dangerous mob while on a train. The team had planned a two-week training period in Pune (then known as Poona) starting August 15, a date which, unbeknownst to them at the time, marked India’s partition. Despite prevailing restrictions, Mahmood managed to arrive in Poona for the training camp. Following the camp, he journeyed to Bombay (currently Mumbai) before heading to Lahore. In his 2003 autobiography, he recounts that two men threatened him on the train, but former Indian captain CK Nayudu intervened, holding a bat, and deterred them. Upon reaching curfew-enforced Lahore, Mahmood was appalled by the violence he observed and opted to remain in Pakistan, foregoing the tour to Australia. He subsequently joined the Pakistani cricket team, making his Test debut against India in the 1952-53 season. Additionally, two other members of India’s squad for the Australia tour, Gul Mohammad and Amir Elahi, later relocated to Pakistan and competed against India in the 1952-53 series. Notwithstanding these challenges, India’s tour proceeded; however, a depleted Indian team, missing four key players, confronted Australia and suffered a 4-0 series defeat. Currently, these two nations engage in cricket matches approximately every two years. The remarkable aspect, nonetheless, is that the initial tour of 1947-48 occurred at all, considering the domestic unrest.