India’s first cricket tour of Australia in 1947-48 unfolded against the backdrop of immense national upheaval. The team’s preparations coincided with India’s independence and the painful partition that divided the country, sparking widespread communal violence and the largest migration in human history.
Cricketers confronted personal and national turmoil as they readied themselves to face Australia, led by the legendary Donald Bradman and his “Invincibles.” Despite immense challenges, the tour marked the beginning of a storied rivalry, now as eagerly anticipated as the Ashes.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India, led by Anthony De Mello, announced a team that symbolized a unified nation, despite the searing divide. However, the squad soon faced setbacks, with key players like Vijay Merchant, Rusi Modi, and Mushtaq Ali withdrawing due to personal and medical reasons. Lala Amarnath was named captain, but his journey to the training camp in Pune was fraught with danger, including narrow escapes from sectarian mobs.
Pace bowler Fazal Mahmood also faced threats during a train journey and later chose to remain in Pakistan amid the chaos, ultimately playing against India as part of Pakistan's inaugural Test team.
Despite the absence of four key players, the depleted Indian side went ahead with the tour, losing the series 4-0 to Bradman’s formidable Australians. The series was a testament to the resilience of Indian cricket, laying the foundation for a rivalry that continues to captivate fans worldwide.
Seventy-five years later, India and Australia play each other almost biennially, but the inaugural series stands out as a miracle of perseverance during a time of profound crisis.