The years 1946 and 1947 were a tumultuous period in the history of India. Even before India was partitioned, political and communal forces were at work, stirring up bigotry and suspicion in the minds of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs. Rumours flew thick and fast often triggering violence. But in the midst of all this tension and strife, cricket remained an oasis of peace. Cricketers belonging to all communities continued to play and practice together with the same objective – that of representing India and achieving victory in the international arena. In 1946, between May and September, the Indian cricket team...