Wisden overview
CK Nayudu was India's first homegrown cricketing hero. A scintillating strokeplayer – his first scoring shot in first-class cricket was a six – Nayudu first came to international attention with a devastating innings of 153 against a Test-class MCC bowling attack in 1926. The innings lasted 116 minutes, included a then-world-record 11 sixes, and sent an unambiguous message to the world: you couldn't take India for granted. India's performance during that MCC tour proved a catalyst towards getting Test status, and Nayudu became India's first Test captain. His native aggression was manifest in his captaincy; so undaunted by reputation was he that he even set leg-theory fields to Douglas Jardine's Englishmen. Although he played only seven Tests – he made his debut at 37 – he continued playing first-class cricket well into his 60s, leading Holkar to Ranji Trophy victories four times in the 40s and 50s. In his discipline, his commitment to excellence and his passion for the game, he epitomised the very best in Indian cricket. Amit Varma

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