Who among the following was India's first cricket team captain?
AK Srikant
BCK Nayudu
CSunil Gavaskar
DNavab Pataudi
Answer:
B. CK Nayudu
Read Explanation:
C.K. Nayudu: India's Inaugural Test Captain
- Full Name: Col. Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu (C.K. Nayudu)
- Captaincy Debut: He had the distinction of captaining India in its very first Test match, played against England in Lord's, London, in 1932. This marked a significant milestone in Indian cricket history.
- Test Career: Nayudu played 7 Test matches for India, scoring 350 runs at an average of 21.87, with a highest score of 81.
- First-Class Record: Beyond his Test career, Nayudu was a prolific run-scorer in domestic cricket. He played 203 first-class matches, accumulating 11,744 runs with 22 centuries, averaging 37.63.
- Notable Achievements:
- He was the first Indian cricketer to be awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in 1956.
- Nayudu is widely regarded as one of the greatest Indian cricketers of his era, known for his aggressive batting style and strong leadership.
- He was also instrumental in organizing cricket tours and promoting the sport in India during its nascent stages.
- Era: He played during the pre-independence era of Indian cricket, representing the country when it was still finding its feet on the international stage.