The story of cricket in India has deep roots. Mudar Patherya’s Wills Book of Excellence – Cricket traces the game’s arrival on Indian soil to 1721 when British traders unwound from taxing voyages by staging impromptu cricket matches in Cambay. By 1792, the Calcutta Cricket Club had emerged as a testament to the game’s rising popularity among colonizers, and, only five years later, Bombay hosted its first cricket match. Cricket’s growing foothold was not merely an echo of colonial influence; it was a gathering force, as communities across the subcontinent adopted the sport with tenacity. In Bombay, the Parsi community, undeterred by the challenges, formed their own cricket club in 1848 at Esplanade Maidan. Hungry for victory, the Parsis toured England twice. Though their initial attempt was unimpressive, the second tour showed marked improvement. Among the Parsi stars was the towering Mehellasa Pavri, a doctor by profession but a terror to the English batsmen with his round-arm fast bowling. His prowess marked Bombay’s place on the cricketing map, as he helped the Parsis to victories against English teams in the 1880s and 90s.
By the mid-1920s, however, the heyday of Parsi cricket had begun to wane. Their earlier competitive spirit had faded, and so, when the MCC team arrived in Bombay in late November 1926, few expected the local teams to fare well. Led by Arthur Gilligan, the MCC tourists were undefeated, having dispatched teams from Sindh, Rajputana, and Punjab. The team’s strength was bolstered by renowned players like Maurice Tate, Andrew Sandham, George Geary, and Bob Wyatt, making the prospect of a local triumph seem almost impossible.
The MCC’s first opponent was a Hindu side captained by Vithal Palwankar. The atmosphere was charged; a nationalist newspaper voiced the hopes of Bombay’s masses, exhorting the Hindu team to check the MCC’s victorious streak. In a flashback to the earlier “Palmy days of Parsi cricket,” the Hindu squad was now the bearer of Bombay’s pride. The crowd surged with anticipation, and when twenty-five thousand people crowded the Bombay Gymkhana grounds, it was clear this was more than just a game—it was a statement.
The Hindu team began promisingly, bowling out the MCC for 363 on the first day. A thrilling century from MCC’s Guy Earle, punctuated by eight sixes, was a warning of the English team’s power. By the end of the day, the Hindus were struggling at 16 for 1, with Janardan Navle and LP Jai at the crease, and tensions simmered in the stands.
The Genesis of a Masterpiece
The second day opened with caution, but when CK Nayudu—a young, tall, and strikingly confident cricketer—strode to the wicket at 67 for 2, an energy shift was palpable. Born in Nagpur in 1895, Nayudu had captained his school team and developed an all-around prowess not limited to cricket; he excelled in hockey and soccer too. Known for his aggressive approach, Nayudu’s entry marked a pivotal moment in Indian cricket.
From the start, Nayudu’s batting was fearless. His third ball—a lofted strike from left-arm spinner Stuart Boyes—landed on the Gymkhana pavilion roof. The crowd was astir, and as Nayudu’s attack unfolded, the murmurs turned into roars. News of his batting spread across Bombay, drawing more spectators who climbed trees and rooftops, determined to witness this spectacle.
Nayudu was in full command. He reached fifty in no time, his innings peppered with towering sixes and well-timed fours. LP Jai provided a steadying partner, but Nayudu was the star. With each boundary, the crowd’s fervour swelled, and his every shot seemed a defiance, a proclamation of local spirit. By lunch, the city was buzzing with excitement, and after the break, Nayudu continued his assault, swiftly notching up his hundred and racing towards a memorable 150. His innings, ultimately ending at 153 after a mere two hours, saw him smashing 13 fours and 11 sixes. Each shot, a mix of sheer power and immaculate balance, exemplified his ability to read and attack deliveries from even the most skilled bowlers.
The crowd’s reaction after his dismissal was almost mystical. El Docker later captured the electrifying scene: dusk had fallen, but the crowd stayed, straining to glimpse their hero, showering him with flowers and pressing gifts into his hands. It was as though Nayudu’s performance had lifted them all, affirming a burgeoning Indian identity within cricket.
CK Nayudu’s innings was more than an isolated feat; it was India’s cricketing statement on the global stage. His prowess inspired Arthur Gilligan to advocate for India’s Test status, which ultimately led to the formation of the Indian Cricket Board in 1928 and India’s first official Test match in 1932. In a single afternoon at Bombay Gymkhana, CK Nayudu had transformed cricket in India from a colonial pastime into a symbol of national pride and ambition. His innings was not just a hundred; it was Indian cricket’s moment of arrival, a definitive declaration of skill, strength, and spirit.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
