OTD 1915: When Was Vijay Hazare Born? Know the Story of India’s Cricket Legend

The legendary Vijay Hazare remains an iconic figure in India’s cricketing folklore. He was born on March 11, 1915, in Sangli, Bombay (now Mumbai). Born to a school teacher, Hazare had seven siblings.

Talking about his cricketing skills, Hazare was primarily a right-handed batter who could also bowl right-arm medium pace. He not only played some fine knocks during his illustrious international career, but also led the Indian team at one point. However, some believed that captaincy took a toll on his batting. The legendary Vijay Merchant said that captaincy prevented Hazare from becoming India’s finest batter: “It was one of the tragedies of cricket.”

Hazare had a magnificent international career, despite making his debut at the age of 31. He played 30 Test matches, scoring 2,192 runs at a staggering average of 47.65. He notched up seven centuries and nine fifties in the longest format of the game. His highest score of 164 not out came against England in Delhi in November 1951. With the ball, Hazare’s numbers were decent but not exemplary. He accounted for 20 wickets at an average of 61. The right-arm pacer had his best figures of 4/29 in Test cricket. It is interesting to note that he dismissed the legendary Don Bradman thrice.

However, Hazare’s first-class records are way more impressive. In 238 games, he amassed 18,740 runs at a mind-boggling average of 58.38. He notched up 60 tons and 73 fifties. His highest score was the 316 not out he smashed against Maharashtra in 1938-39. This was one of the two triple-centuries he had recorded during his career. With the ball, Hazare finished with 595 wickets at an average of 24.61. His best figures were 8/90, and he picked up 10 wickets in a match on three different occasions.

Talking about his achievements, Hazare was the first Indian batter to score two triple centuries. He was also the first Indian to score a century in each innings of a Test match. He achieved this feat during a Test match against Australia in Adelaide in 1947-48.
Apart from this, Hazare is the first Indian batter to score centuries in three consecutive Test matches and the first Indian player to make 50 centuries in first-class cricket. He was also the first Indian batter to complete 1000 Test runs.

After calling time on his playing career, Hazare served briefly as a selector in Test cricket. The BCCI went on to honour him by naming the domestic 50-over competition after him: Vijay Hazare Trophy. In 1996, he received BCCI’s C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. He passed away in December 2004 after a long battle with cancer. He and Jasu Patel were the first cricketers to be honoured with the Padma Shri.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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