New Delhi, March 11: Vijay Samuel Hazare is celebrated as one of India’s greatest cricketers, having made significant contributions to both domestic and international cricket during the early years of the sport in the country. In his honor, India’s domestic one-day tournament is named after him.
Born on March 11, 1915, in Sangli, Maharashtra, Hazare was coached by the legendary Australian spinner Clarrie Grimmett in his rural hometown. He began his first-class career in the 1934-35 season and made his international debut against England at the historic Lord’s ground in 1946 at the age of 31, scoring 31 and 34 runs in his two innings.
Hazare was the first Indian cricketer to surpass the 1,000-run mark and the first to score centuries in both innings of a Test match, achieving this feat against Australia in January 1948 at Adelaide with scores of 116 and 145. He also became the first Indian to score a triple century in first-class cricket, accomplishing this in January 1940 while playing for Maharashtra against Baroda.
As the first Indian to score 50 centuries in first-class cricket, Hazare played 30 Test matches for India, amassing 2,192 runs at an average of 47.65, which included 7 centuries and 9 half-centuries. Under his captaincy, India achieved its first Test victory as an independent nation in 1952, defeating England by an innings and 8 runs.
Throughout his first-class career, Hazare played a total of 238 matches, scoring 18,740 runs at an impressive average of 58.38, with 60 centuries and 73 half-centuries to his name.
In recognition of his contributions to cricket, Hazare was awarded the Padma Shri in 1960 and later received the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. Today, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which began in the 2002-03 season, is contested by all teams in the Ranji Trophy, celebrating his legacy in Indian Cricket.