The Adelaide Test of January 1948 marked the third encounter of India’s maiden tour of Australia, a tour dominated by Bradman’s mighty men but rich in lessons for India’s emerging cricket identity.
After defeats at Melbourne and Sydney, India arrived at the Adelaide Oval determined to put up a stronger fight. The batting looked to Vijay Hazare, the calm craftsman from Baroda, and Vinoo Mankad, India’s all-round pillar. What followed was a match that, despite ending in another defeat, became immortal in history thanks to Hazare’s heroic twin centuries against one of the finest bowling attacks ever assembled.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Australia vs. India |
| Dates | 23–28 January 1948 |
| Venue | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide |
| Toss | Australia won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | Australia won by an innings and 16 runs |
| Match Format | 5-day Test Match |
| Umpires | A. G. Craig & G. N. Borwick |
| Significance | Vijay Hazare’s twin centuries (116 & 145) against Bradman’s Australia; one of India’s proudest early Test efforts |
Team Lineups
| India (Playing XI) | Australia (Playing XI) |
|---|---|
| Lala Amarnath (Captain) | Don Bradman (Captain) |
| Vijay Merchant | Sid Barnes |
| Vijay Hazare | Arthur Morris |
| Rusi Modi | Lindsay Hassett |
| Vinoo Mankad | Keith Miller |
| Gul Mohammad | Neil Harvey |
| Hemu Adhikari | Sam Loxton |
| Dattu Phadkar | Don Tallon (wk) |
| C. S. Nayudu | Ray Lindwall |
| Ranga Sohoni | Bill Johnston |
| Khokhan Sen (wk) | Ernie Toshack |
Australia 1st Innings – 674 all out
Australia’s batting once again displayed its unmatched dominance. Don Bradman, leading from the front, scored a majestic 201, a flawless innings filled with placement, timing, and ruthless precision. He was supported brilliantly by Arthur Morris (122) and Sid Barnes (112), both compiling centuries with calm assurance.
India’s bowlers struggled to contain the scoring. Vinoo Mankad bowled tirelessly to take 5 for 143, while Phadkar and Sohoni picked up a couple each. The massive total of 674 put India immediately on the back foot.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Sid Barnes | 112 | c Sen b Phadkar |
| Arthur Morris | 122 | c Mankad b Nayudu |
| Don Bradman (c) | 201 | b Mankad |
| Lindsay Hassett | 43 | c Merchant b Sohoni |
| Keith Miller | 46 | b Mankad |
| Neil Harvey | 32 | c Hazare b Sohoni |
| Sam Loxton | 33 | c Merchant b Mankad |
| Don Tallon (wk) | 15 | b Mankad |
| Ray Lindwall | 18 | c Amarnath b Phadkar |
| Bill Johnston | 12* | Not out |
| Ernie Toshack | 2 | b Mankad |
| Extras | 38 | |
| Total | 674 all out (192 overs) | |
| Best Bowling (India) | Vinoo Mankad – 5/143, Dattu Phadkar – 2/72 |
India 1st Innings – 381 all out
India’s reply began with determination, anchored by Vijay Hazare, who played one of the finest innings of his career. Against the relentless pace from Lindwall and Johnston and the guile of Toshack, Hazare stood firm, crafting a magnificent 116, full of patience and precision.
He received support from Rusi Modi (57) and Merchant (49), but regular wickets meant India could not fully recover from the early pressure. They were eventually dismissed for 381, still trailing by 293 runs.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Vijay Merchant | 49 | b Lindwall |
| Vijay Hazare | 116 | b Johnston |
| Lala Amarnath (c) | 32 | b Toshack |
| Rusi Modi | 57 | c Tallon b Toshack |
| Vinoo Mankad | 42 | b Lindwall |
| Gul Mohammad | 18 | b Johnston |
| Dattu Phadkar | 22 | b Lindwall |
| Hemu Adhikari | 12 | c Morris b Toshack |
| Ranga Sohoni | 9 | b Johnston |
| C. S. Nayudu | 5 | b Lindwall |
| Khokhan Sen (wk) | 1* | Not out |
| Extras | 18 | |
| Total | 381 all out (135 overs) | |
| Best Bowling (Australia) | Ray Lindwall – 4/85, Bill Johnston – 3/86, Ernie Toshack – 3/74 |
India 2nd Innings – 277 all out (Following On)
Asked to follow on, India’s resistance was once again led by the brilliant Vijay Hazare. Showing remarkable concentration and class, he compiled a second consecutive century, 145, becoming the first Indian to score twin hundreds in a Test match.
However, despite Hazare’s heroics, wickets fell regularly at the other end. None of the other batsmen crossed 35, as Lindwall (6/102) destroyed the batting lineup with blistering pace and movement. India were bowled out for 277, losing by an innings and 16 runs.
| Player | Runs | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|
| Vijay Merchant | 24 | b Lindwall |
| Vijay Hazare | 145 | c Bradman b Lindwall |
| Lala Amarnath (c) | 10 | b Johnston |
| Rusi Modi | 33 | b Lindwall |
| Vinoo Mankad | 18 | b Toshack |
| Gul Mohammad | 27 | b Lindwall |
| Hemu Adhikari | 14 | c Tallon b Johnston |
| Dattu Phadkar | 12 | c Loxton b Lindwall |
| Ranga Sohoni | 9 | b Toshack |
| C. S. Nayudu | 4 | b Lindwall |
| Khokhan Sen (wk) | 1* | Not out |
| Extras | 10 | |
| Total | 277 all out (121 overs) | |
| Best Bowling (Australia) | Ray Lindwall – 6/102, Bill Johnston – 2/65 |
Australia won by an innings and 16 runs
Australia led the 5-Test series 3–0
| Result | Australia won by an innings and 16 runs |
|---|---|
| Series Situation | Australia led the 5-Test series 3-0 |
| Player of the Match (Unofficial) | Vijay Hazare – 116 & 145 (for twin centuries in both innings) |
Highlight of the Match:
- Vijay Hazare scored twin centuries (116 & 145), becoming the first Indian to achieve this rare Test feat.
- Don Bradman dominated with 201, leading Australia to a massive total of 674.
- Australia’s top three all scored centuries – Sid Barnes (112), Arthur Morris (122), and Bradman (201).
- Vinoo Mankad took a valiant 5/143, showcasing accuracy and stamina on a batting-friendly pitch.
- India’s first innings was rescued by Hazare’s 116, supported by Modi (57) and Merchant (49).
- In India’s second innings, Hazare’s 145 kept the team fighting despite consistent wickets falling at the other end.
- Ray Lindwall’s fiery pace fetched 6/102 in the second innings and 10 wickets in the match.
- India was forced to follow on, trailing by 293 runs after the first innings.
- Australia’s bowlers, led by Lindwall, maintained relentless pressure, preventing partnerships around Hazare.
- India fought bravely but were bowled out for 277 in the second innings.
- Australia won by an innings and 16 runs, taking an unassailable 3–0 lead in the series.
- Hazare’s twin tons were applauded by Australian legends and remain among the finest defensive knocks in Indian Test history.
