India-Australia Test series: How India’s first Australia tour almost did not happen

Excitement and anticipation ran high in Indian cricket circles as the team was expected to face the mighty Australians, led by legendary batsman Donald Bradman. His team was later dubbed “Bradman’s Invincibles” after returning undefeated from England in 1948.

De Mello’s India squad was led by ace opening batsman Vijay Merchant, with his reliable partner Mushtaq Ali serving as deputy.

Both had been exceptional on the English tours of 1936 and 1946, cementing their leadership roles. The squad also boasted elegant batter Rusi Modi and promising debutant fast bowler Fazal Mahmood, external, adding a dynamic mix of experience and fresh talent.

But both Merchant and Modi withdrew from the tour on medical grounds. Ali also withdrew following the death of his elder brother, leaving him with family responsibilities.

As a result, Lala Amarnath, external was announced as the new captain and Vijay Hazare, external his deputy.

However, the violence that erupted following partition nearly prevented Amarnath from reaching Australia. According to a 2004 biography by his son Rajender Amarnath, Lala Amarnath narrowly escaped a sectarian mob in Patiala in Indian Punjab. His home in Lahore, now in Pakistan, along with its priceless artefacts, was lost forever.

He also encountered danger during a train journey to Delhi.

At a station in Indian Punjab, a police official recognised Amarnath and gave him a kada – a steel bangle worn by Sikhs and many Hindus as a religious symbol. Later, a mob at the station spared the cricketer because of the kada – it probably led them to believe he shared their faith.

On the other side of the religious divide, pace bowler Mahmood found himself facing a deadly mob on a train.

The team had scheduled two weeks of training in Pune (then Poona) from 15 August – though it was not known then, that was the day India was partitioned.