Talking to Leela ji I come to know of her fond memories of her father - Cottari Kanakiya Nayudu, often known as C.K. Nayudu, who has the honour of being the first ever captain of the Indian Test Cricket team. He is also famous for being the first Cricket player of India who was bestowed with the Padma Bhushan award.

C.K. Nayudu will always be remembered in Indian Cricket history for he lead the Indian cricket team in its first test cricket match, played against England in 1932. Even though in this match C.K. injured his hand while fielding, he still managed to make the highest runs of the innings. Overall, he scored 1,842 runs and grabbed 65 wickets during the whole tour.
Nayudu was blessed with a tall and well-built physique, and was quite good at driving the ball as a batsman. Apart from this, he was also an accomplished fielder and slow-medium paced bowler.
Nayudu played his last Ranji Trophy cricket match for Uttar Pradesh in the year 1956-57 at the age of 62, wherein he scored 52 runs. He died a graceful death on the 14th of November 1967 in Indore.

Way before the IPL or T20s there was test cricket and C.K. Nayudu, and way before Mandira Bedi there was Chandra Nayudu! Leela ji has lived on the principles of her father and carries his legacy with her. She tells me that she used to go watch all her father’s matches as she does her grandsons Rohan’s and Rishi’s these days. She has immense hope for her grandson to carry on the legacy of her father. The Nayudu Family has given a lot to Indian cricket history…here is hoping Rohan and Rishi will enrich the Canadian cricket history! To the Kanjani family, thank you for opening your doors to me and our readers and sharing your story.
1 comment:
its wonderfull to know about our indian sport star of old times .the way the artical is written is very pleasing.diksha has right attitude towards people and her polite and decent language shows her good upbringing.we need writers of her class who can touch peoples heart through their writing.keep up the good work dear.
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