CK Nayudu’s Heroic Stand: The Birth of Indian Cricket’s National Identity

In 1926, Bombay, known today as Mumbai, had cultivated a relationship with cricket stretching back over a century. For the people of this burgeoning city, cricket was not merely a game; it was an enduring cultural anchor, uniting the wealthy and the working class, Hindus and Muslims alike, in shared joy and relief from the humdrum of daily life. Bollywood films and vibrant festivals existed as important cultural fixtures, yet cricket held a unique place in the hearts of Bombay’s people—a relentless, exhilarating escape from monotony and a symbol of resilience.

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 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

A Historic Summer: Pakistan's Unforgettable Test at The Oval, 1954

The English summer of 1954 may have been marked by dull and wet weather, but from a cricketing perspective, it was anything but unremarkable for the newcomers to Test cricket. Pakistan's foray into this storied arena was both charming and instructive, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the game. 

Just two years prior, cricket’s governing bodies had conferred Test status upon Pakistan. Their journey began with a disappointing series against India, yet the potential of players like Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Mahmood Hussain, Shujauddin, and Fazal Mahmood kindled hope for the future of cricket in the nascent nation.

When the Pakistan team toured England to play a four-match Test series, they faced an English side that was a formidable force in world cricket, boasting luminaries such as Len Hutton, Peter May, Denis Compton, and the fast-bowling trio of Frank Tyson, Brian Statham, and Alec Bedsar. For a fledgling Test team, the challenge seemed insurmountable, and their initial outings had left much to be desired.

The first Test at Lord’s ended in a draw, while Pakistan’s performance in the second Test at Trent Bridge was a stark reality check, suffering a crushing defeat by an innings and 129 runs. The rain-affected third Test at Manchester offered little respite, further intensifying critics’ doubts about Pakistan's place among cricket's elite. 

However, the stage was set for a dramatic climax at The Oval. In a strategic move, the English selectors opted to rest key players for the upcoming Australian tour, unleashing a new bowling duo of Frank Tyson and Peter Loader. The match commenced under ominous clouds, with rain delaying play until 2:30 PM. Pakistan’s captain, Abdul Hafeez Kardar, anticipated a batting-friendly pitch but was met with a different reality.

The Oval’s track retained enough life to trouble the visitors, and England’s pace attack proved relentless. Hanif Mohammad and Maqsood Ahmed succumbed to ducks, with Alimuddin and Waqar Hasan also dismissed cheaply. Only Imtiaz Ahmed and Kardar could offer resistance, but by lunch, Pakistan found themselves in dire straits at 51 for 7.

However, after tea, the tailenders put up a valiant stand. Shujauddin, along with spinner Zulfiqar Ahmed and pace bowler Mahmood Hussain, fought back, salvaging the innings to post a total of 133 runs. 

England’s first innings unfolded similarly, though with an unexpected twist. Fazal Mahmood and Mahmood Hussain wreaked havoc on the English batting lineup. As cricket commentator John Arlott noted, the Pakistani bowlers could hardly believe their fortune; the pitch was doing the hard work for them. Mahmood and Fazal’s disciplined bowling dismantled the English side, restricting them to a mere 130 runs and handing Pakistan a slender three-run lead.

With the second innings underway, Pakistan began cautiously. Shujauddin and Hanif Mohammad showed promise, but the innings quickly unravelled, and the team collapsed to 82 for 8. Only a gritty ninth-wicket partnership between Wazir Mohammad and Zulfiqar Ahmed helped Pakistan surpass the 150-run mark, ultimately ending their innings at 164, setting England a target of 168 runs.

With a batting lineup featuring stalwarts like Hutton, May, Compton, and Evans, the chase seemed straightforward. Yet, the relentless Fazal Mahmood had other ideas. His bowling spell turned the tide; he dismissed Hutton early, with Imtiaz Ahmed safely holding the catch. England appeared well-positioned at 109 for 3, but a series of wickets fell swiftly thereafter. 

The final day at The Oval transformed into a festival for the Pakistani fans who filled the stands, turning the ground into a vibrant display of support. Fazal Mahmood, undeterred by the formidable opposition, delivered a spellbinding performance. He ripped through England’s lower order, claiming crucial wickets with skill and precision. 

As the tension mounted, Hanif Mohammad's run-out of McConnon signalled a seismic shift in the match. Pakistan had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, achieving one of the most astonishing comebacks in Test cricket history. Fazal Mahmood’s remarkable match figures of 12 for 99 underscored the unpredictable nature of the game.

The jubilant cheers of the Pakistani crowd echoed around The Oval, a triumphant celebration of an unexpected victory that turned a lacklustre English summer into a historic cricketing moment. It was a testament to the notion that, indeed, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainty, where fortunes can shift in the blink of an eye. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Bangladesh’s Cricket Carnival: A Triumph Over Turmoil

In a fairy-tale finale, Sri Lanka exorcised their T20 World Cup demons, lifting the trophy with grit and grace at Mirpur by defeating India. For cricket lovers worldwide, this tournament marks an emotional turning point: the final bow of two iconic batsmen, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who will no longer wield their bats in T20 internationals. These legends exit with heads held high, their farewell embellished with Sri Lanka’s crowning glory on the world stage.

The 2014 World Twenty20 was indeed a mesmerizing display of cricket – a saga of thrilling matches, captivating moments, and unforgettable individual feats. But beyond the boundaries, this tournament carried a significance far deeper for Bangladesh. Only a year prior, the country was entrenched in a whirlpool of political unrest, gripped by strikes, violence, and an atmosphere of unease. For many, even imagining that Bangladesh could host such a massive international event was inconceivable. The nation seemed engulfed by conflict, with regular bombings, vehicle arson, and clashes between political activists and riot police making daily life a struggle. The Bangladeshis were worn down, their daily routines disrupted, their spirits dampened by constant turmoil.

At that time, the thought of hosting a major tournament like the World T20 was as fragile as the country’s political landscape. The possibility of hosting the Asia Cup, Sri Lanka series, and the World T20 hung by a thread, with the ICC even considering relocating the event due to the instability. Bangladesh’s reputation, pride, and credibility as a cricketing nation were on the line, and a single misstep could have spelt disaster. The country needed its leaders to set aside differences, act with restraint, and prioritize national interest over political gain.

In the face of these formidable odds, Bangladesh’s ability to not only host the World Twenty20 but also do so with excellence became a triumph of resilience. The Sri Lanka series and Asia Cup were successfully staged in the preceding months, a significant reassurance for the cricketing world. Bangladesh showed that it could indeed be a safe, inviting place for international sports. From every corner of the nation, the fervour for cricket erupted, silencing the echoes of unrest. Gone were the clashes and the chaos; in their place was a national cricket carnival that captivated millions.

For three months, Bangladesh witnessed an extraordinary transformation. There were no bomb blasts, no torched buses, and no riot police clashing with activists. The tension dissipated, replaced by the thunderous roars of enthusiastic crowds. Streets and homes across the country echoed with talk of cricket, and the usual apprehensions gave way to excitement and pride. Cricket fever blanketed Bangladesh, offering a collective escape, a renewed sense of unity, and a powerful reminder of the role sports can play in transcending social divides.

Even though the Bangladeshi team struggled to meet the expectations of their fans in the Asia Cup and World T20, the people’s enthusiasm never wavered. The nation’s fans embraced each visiting team with warmth, reflecting the inherent hospitality and cordiality of the Bangladeshi spirit. The tournament wasn’t just about the matches played; it was an affirmation of Bangladesh’s resilience and the people’s unwavering passion for the sport. 

Indeed, the stadiums that were once a concern for ICC officials became arenas of joy and pride, each meticulously prepared to showcase the beauty of cricket and the character of Bangladesh. Hosting the World Twenty20 became more than a logistical challenge; it became a symbol of hope and a chance for the world to witness the heart and soul of a cricket-loving nation. In this sense, Bangladesh demonstrated its potential and its capacity to rise above adversity, proving that cricket isn’t just a game here – it’s the lifeblood, the very oxygen of its people.

As we celebrate the unforgettable tournament and Sri Lanka’s deserved victory, it is crucial to acknowledge the restraint shown by Bangladesh’s political landscape. In an atmosphere where sense and sensibility were the need of the hour, the political forces exhibited a rare unity, an understanding that went beyond party lines. It was an understanding of the power of sport to inspire, to heal, and to unite. Their composure during these critical months allowed Bangladesh to shine on the world stage, underscoring the collective willpower of a nation united by its love for cricket.

In the end, the World Twenty20 2014 wasn’t merely a tournament; it was a statement. Bangladesh proved its mettle, not only as a host nation but as a place where passion, resilience, and a love for the game can overcome any obstacle.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar