C. K. Nayudu

Colonel Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu (31 October 1895 – 14 November 1967) was an Indian cricketer and cricket administrator who served as the first captain of the Indian national cricket team. He is widely regarded as one of India's greatest cricketers. Nayudu's first-class cricket career spanned 47 years, from 1916 to 1963, a world record. He was a right-handed batsman, an accurate medium pace bowler, and a fine fielder. Known for his aggressive batting style, his ability to hit long sixes sent crowds into a frenzy and became legendary in Indian cricket folklore. Nayudu was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1933 and, in 1956, became the first cricketer to receive the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India.

Nayudu's prime days were with the Hindus team in the Bombay Quadrangular tournament in the 1920s and 1930s, where he was the highest run-scorer in the history of the tournament. His standout performance came in 1926–27 when he scored 153 runs in 116 minutes, hitting 11 sixes against the visiting Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which paved the way for India's elevation to Test status. Nayudu led India in their first-ever Test match in the 1932 England tour. He was the leading run-getter for India in the tour and also picked up 65 wickets as a bowler. He also led the Indian team in three more Tests when the England team visited India for their first official tour in 1933–34.

After retiring from Test cricket, Nayudu led the Holkar team to eight Ranji Trophy finals in nine years, winning four titles. His career-best score of 200 came at the age of 51, making him one of the few players to score a double century in first-class cricket after turning 50. Beyond his playing career, Nayudu served as vice-president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the chairman of the national selection committee. He was also instrumental in establishing the Andhra Cricket Association and served as its founder president.

In 1923, the ruler of Holkar State invited Nayudu to stay in Indore and conferred upon him the rank of colonel in the state's army. Nayudu is generally considered as 'India's first cricket superstar'. Historian Ramachandra Guha noted of him, "C. K. Nayudu was the first Indian cricketer to be a popular hero, whose appeal transcended the barriers of caste, class, gender and religion. Each of his sixes was interpreted as a nationalist answer to the British Raj." In recognition of his legacy, the BCCI instituted the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994, and the C. K. Nayudu Trophy, an under-25 domestic cricket competition, is named in his honour.