C. K. Nayudu

Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu (Telugu: కట్టారి కనకయ్య నాయుడు) (31 October 1895 – 14 November 1967), also known as CK, was an Indian cricketer who served as India's first Test captain. He was born in Nagpur, Mahasrashtra and died in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.

Nayudu was known as being a outstanding solid batsman, and for his ability as a hard hitter of the ball. He was the first cricketer to be honoured with the Padma Bhushan.

Early career

Nayudu originally spoke Telugu, but he grew up in Nagpur and played almost all his cricket for Central India. He was drafted in the school team at the age of seven, and showed promise for a bright future.

He made his first class debut in 1916 in the Bombay Triangular. For the Hindus against the Europeans, he came in to bat at No.9 with his team tottering at 79 for 7. He blocked his first three balls and hit the fourth for six. He played first-class cricket regularly till 1958, and returned for one last time in 1963 at the age of 68. In 1923, the ruler of Holkar invited him to Indore and made him a Captain in his army. Thus he received an honour of a Colonel in Holkar's Army.

Arthur Gilligan led the first MCC tour to India in the 1926-27 season. For the Hindus at Bombay Gymkhana, Nayudu hit 153 in 116 minutes with 11 sixes. One of the sixes, off Bob Wyatt, landed on the roof of the Gymkhana. The MCC presented him with a silver bat in recognition of that heroic innings.

1932

India made its debut at...
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