C. K. Nayudu, Cricketer
Cricketer

C. K. Nayudu

Born 31 October 1895 · Maharashtra — Died 14 November 1967

First captain of the Indian national cricket team in Test cricket in 1932.

Colonel Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu 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.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Nayudu’s first-class cricket career lasted 47 years, from 1916 to 1963, setting a world record for longevity in the sport.

The Story

1
In 1926–27, C. K. Nayudu stunned cricket by scoring 153 runs in just 116 minutes against the Marylebone Cricket Club, smashing 11 sixes—a world record at the time—and sparking India's rise to Test status.
2
🌟 In 1932, Nayudu captained India in their inaugural Test match on English soil, leading the team as the top run-scorer and taking 65 wickets on that England tour.
3As a domestic cricket titan, Nayudu played for nine different teams including Hindus, Holkar, and Andhra, amassing over 12,000 first-class runs across an extraordinary 47-year career from 1916 to 1963.
4⚔️ In 1923, the Holkar State ruler awarded Nayudu the rank of colonel, a rare honor linking cricket prowess to princely patronage, allowing him to reside in Indore and lead their Ranji Trophy team to multiple finals.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Nayudu’s 153 runs against MCC in 1926–27 included 11 sixes and 14 fours, setting a world record for sixes in an innings at that time.

🖼️

Through the Years

7 photographs from the archives
Portrait of C. K. Nayudu, Indian batsman who played seven Tests (1930s).
Portrait of C. K. Nayudu, Indian batsman who played seven Tests (1930s).
1930
Photo of C. K. Nayudu from the 1930s showing the Indian cricket legend.
C. K. Nayudu seated in the 1932 Indian Test Cricket team touring England.
C. K. Nayudu with the East Zone cricket team against Australian Services in Calcutta (1945).
Indian postage stamp featuring C. K. Nayudu honoring his cricket legacy (1996).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth of C. K. Nayudu
Born in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu entered a Telugu-speaking family with roots in Andhra Pradesh.
1895
⚡
Career
First-class cricket debut
Nayudu began his first-class cricket career, which would span an unprecedented 47 years.
1916
🌟
Other
Conferred rank of Colonel
Holkar State ruler invited Nayudu to Indore and gave him the honorary rank of colonel in the state army.
1923
⚡
Career
Record innings against MCC
Scored 153 runs in 116 minutes with 11 sixes, helping India gain Test status.
1926
⚡
Career
Captain of India's first Test
Led India in its inaugural Test match against England in England, top-scoring and taking wickets.
1932
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India, as the first cricketer honored thus.
1956
⚡
Career
Retired from first-class cricket
Ended a world record 47-year career in first-class cricket.
1963
🕊️
Death
Death of C. K. Nayudu
Passed away in Indore, leaving a lasting legacy on Indian cricket.
1967
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 06
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He scored a double century at age 51 in the Ranji Trophy, a rare achievement for any cricketer past 50 years old.

02 / 06
🔍LESSER KNOWN

The Holkar ruler made Nayudu a colonel in 1923, blending royal patronage with cricketing stature.

03 / 06
💡SURPRISING

Nayudu’s first-class career spanned 47 years, a world record for career length in cricket.

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"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." - Ramachandra Guha

— C. K. Nayudu

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Sunil Gavaskar Reminisces About Lala Amarnath, CK Nayudu & Kapil Dev | The Quint
More from this archive
Sunil Gavaskar Reminisces About Lala Amarnath, CK Nayudu & Kapil Dev | The Quint
01
Sunil Gavaskar Reminisces About Lala Amarnath, CK Nayudu & Kapil Dev | The Quint
SCF C.K.NAYUDU CENTENARY INTERVIEW WITH FAMOUS CELEBRITIES - GULAM MOHAMMED AND RAJAJI IAS | SCF |
02
SCF C.K.NAYUDU CENTENARY INTERVIEW WITH FAMOUS CELEBRITIES - GULAM MOHAMMED AND RAJAJI IAS | SCF |
సింహం వేట.. సి.కే. నాయుడు ఆట || Indian Cricket Team First Captain C.K.Nayudu Real Life Incidents
03
సింహం వేట.. సి.కే. నాయుడు ఆట || Indian Cricket Team First Captain C.K.Nayudu Real Life Incidents
ck nayudu trophy best bowling
04
ck nayudu trophy best bowling
Former Cricketer Anil Kumble Unveils C K Nayudu Statue | Machilipatnam
05
Former Cricketer Anil Kumble Unveils C K Nayudu Statue | Machilipatnam
Former Cricketer Anil Kumble Unveils C K Nayudu Statue In Machilipatnam | Latest News | IndionTvNews
06
Former Cricketer Anil Kumble Unveils C K Nayudu Statue In Machilipatnam | Latest News | IndionTvNews
Hemant Speaks Cricket. (Col. C.K. NAYUDU). Q & A.
07
Hemant Speaks Cricket. (Col. C.K. NAYUDU). Q & A.
Former Cricketer Anil Kumble Unveils C K Nayudu Statue | Machilipatnam | Mana Aksharam
08
Former Cricketer Anil Kumble Unveils C K Nayudu Statue | Machilipatnam | Mana Aksharam

🌱 What changed because of them

Nayudu’s leadership in India’s first Test match laid a foundation for India’s international cricket identity. The BCCI honors his memory through the C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award and the under-25 C. K. Nayudu Trophy, shaping generations of cricketers. His role in establishing the Andhra Cricket Association expanded cricket’s reach into southern India.

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