Janardan Navle Biography 
Janardan Navle was the first opening batsman and wicketkeeper of Indian test cricket. He along with Naoomal Jeoomal played India’s first international cricket match played at Lords on 25th June 1932. One of the earliest stars of Indian international cricket, he could add only six runs for the opening wicket. But he was the first batsman who faced England. Jeoomal scored 33 and 25 opening innings for India's first international test match. Janardan Navle faced the historic first ball of Indian innings and Navle also served as India’s first wicketkeeper too.
Janardan Gyanoba Navle was born on 7 December 1902 in Fulgaon, Maharashtra. He did his schooling at the Bhave School in Puna. He played domestic cricket before international matches started in India. He made his first class debut at the age of 16 for Hindus. He played 65 first class matches scoring 1,976 runs at a batting average of 19.18. Though he scored 9 half centuries, he missed a century. 96 runs is his highest score. He served as a wicketkeeper for Bombay Quadrangular and Pentangular.
When he played India’s first test match in 1932, he opened in both innings at Lord's against England. He made an opening wicket partnership with Naoomal Jeoomal of 39 runs of which 33 runs were scored by Naoomal. In the second innings of same match, he put 25 runs partnership with the same opener. He also served as the wicketkeeper of the match.
In his later life he worked as a security guard in a sugar mill and lived in a two bedroom flat in Pune. He died one year before his opening partner Naoomal Jeoomal passed away in 1980. He played two international cricket matches for India, both against in England in 1932 and 1933. He scored a total of 42 runs in 4 innings.
Published: N/A
Updated: April 09, 2016
