Birth of a Cricket Nation

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When we talk about matches that changed the landscape of Indian cricket, the mighty encounter between Hindus and the MCC in 1926 tops the list. Having ample drama and thrill, it was an announcement that cricket in India was transforming from an elitist pastime into a powerful voice against British oppression. And a certain Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu emerged a hero to be at the center of this historic moment.

Those were the days when cricket was played on communal lines in British India. Parsis, Hindus and Muslims had their separate teams who used to compete among themselves as well as against the Europeans. The MCC team which toured India in 1926-1927 was intended to promote cricket among the Europeans. But Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh, a long-term patron and promoter of Indian cricket, incentivised the MCC team to play against the Indian teams as well.

Back to the historic two day test. The Arthur Gilligan-led MCC side had the likes of Maurice Tate, Bob Wyatt and George Geary at their disposal - skillful, professional and vastly experienced. It wasn't going to be easy for the Vithal Palwankar-led Hindus team. The match began with the visitors piling up 363 runs in the first innings before the eventful day of December 1, 1926 arrived. The destiny of Indian cricket was about to change.

C.K. Nayudu’s brand of cricket had already earned him a reputation. But all hell broke loose that day when he walked in to bat at 67 for 2. He unleashed a two hour carnage on the famed English bowlers, hurting their pride and arrogance. The MCC left-arm spinner Stuart Boyes was taken to bits. Nayudu toyed with the MCC bowling attack amassing 153 runs which included 11 sixes and 13 fours. Some of the sixes he hit landed on the stadium roof and the Esplanade road. It was a sight to behold seeing a local cricketer turned into a national icon. 

As the word spread, close to 25,000 spectators thronged to the Maidan and in no time every tree and roof top was occupied. The consciousness of the nation had awakened. The ground buzzed with an energy never experienced before. The subservient Indians roared with ecstacy and cricket was playing the role of great leveler between the ruler and the ruled. MCC captain Arthur Gilligan, a great ambassador of the game showered praises on his opponent  "A really great batsman. I cannot find enough words to express my opinion of him. His polished display of batsmanship was one of the best I have ever seen." Nayudu's superlative innings was a reminder to the cricket fraternity that India was ready to match shoulders with the best.

A few days later, D.B. Deodhar playing for an all India XI against the MCC, in what is known as India's first unofficial test, scored a masterful 148. The timing of the four hour-long batting extravaganza couldn't have been better. These innings were a testament to the growing stature of cricket in India. Gilligan was now convinced that India is ready for international cricket. Subsequently BCCI was formed in 1928 with its headquarters in Bombay and India played its first Test match in 1932 at Lord's. The team was led by none other than C.K. Nayudu, who started it all on a winter morning of December 1, 1926.

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