Who was the first Indian to score a hundred in each innings of a Test?
(14 September 2001)
It happened in the Don's farewell season and in a series against Australia. The Don, who was leading the Australians, himself reached many landmarks in the course of the five-Test series. The second Test at Sydney saw the "greatest cricketer ever" score his 100th ton in first-class cricket. In the next Test at Melbourne, the Don scored a century in both the innings of a Test for the first and only time in his Test career.
It was then in the fourth Test in January 1948 at the Adelaide Oval that an Indian emulated the Don. Vijay Samuel Hazare had gained a reputation in India as a great accumulator of runs. At 32 and in his second year in international cricket, he was itching to prove himself against the world's best. Hazare's 116 and 145 against an Australian attack led by two peerless bowlers - Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller - though could not help India avoid an innings and 16 runs defeat.
Incidentally, they were also his first two tons in international cricket. Hazare went on to become the first Indian batsman to go past the 1,000 and 2,000 Test runs mark. He also led India to her first ever Test win. Glorious achievements by a glorious cricketer.
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