C. K. Nayudu Biography 
C. K. Nayudu was a former test player of Indian cricket team. He is best remembered as the first team captain of India in Test matches. He was fully active in the cricket scene till late 1950s at the ripe age of 60+, quite unbelievable for a sports event. He played 7 test matches and 207 first class matches scoring 350 and 11,825 runs respectively. He was an all-rounder of his team who 411 test wickets in 207 first class matches he played. In 1956 he was honored with the civilian award Padma Bhushan by government of India for his excellence in the world of sports. He passed away in 1967 aged 72. He was a right-handed batsman and Right-arm slow medium bowler. He is also credited to be the first Indian cricketer to endorse a brand.
Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu, also known as C. K was born on 31 October 1895 in Nagpur, Maharashtra. His father was a lawyer and landlord. Since the age of 7, he showed skills in cricket and has been included in the school cricket team at this tender age. He made his first class debut in 1916 in the Bombay Triangular. He played cricket for about 6 decades. Till 1958 he was active in the cricket scene at the age of 62 playing Ranji trophy and after retirement he played one match in 1963 at the age of 68. He was the first Indian cricketer to be featured in an ad. He endorsed Bathgate Liver Tonic in 1941.
His score of 153 in 116 minutes with 11 sixes in 1926-27 season was one of his outstanding innings. He was awarded a silver bat for the innings, which included a six which landed on the roof of the Gymkhana. As India’s first test captain, he led the team in four matches against England. The first match was in England in 1932 followed by three matches in home country against the same team during 1933-34 season.
Published: N/A
Updated: April 09, 2016
