Remembering C K Nayudu: First Captain of the Indian Test Cricket Team -by Diksha Pal Narayan

Recently I met up with Sangeeta Kanjani and her husband Ram who own ARTeFAC Inc. (www.artefac.ca). Sangeeta’s mother is such a wonderful lady; having spent some time with her I knew what my next article would be about! Mrs. Leela Vidyasagar (Sangeeta’s mom) moved to Mississauga with her late husband ten years ago. Meeting Leela ji, I realised how important family and their legacy means.

Talking to Leela ji I came to know of her fond memories of her father - Cottari Kanakiya Nayudu, often known as C.K. Nayudu, who has the honour of being the first ever captain of the Indian Test Cricket team. He is also famous for being the first Cricket player of India who was bestowed with the Padma Bhushan award.

Nayudu was born in Nagpur, Maharashtra on 31st October 1895 where he spent his childhood as well. It was here that he first started playing cricket and also went on to captain the cricket team of the Hislop Collegiate High School, Nagpur. C.K. was selected by the Modi Club and later on became its captain. In 1916 he debuted in First Class Cricket, playing for Hindus against the Europeans. In 1923, Nayudu was made Captain of the army of the ruler of Holkar; he went on to hold the position of Colonel and made Indore, Madhya Pradesh his home.
C.K. Nayudu will always be remembered in Indian Cricket history for he lead the Indian cricket team in its first test cricket match, played against England in 1932. Even though in this match C.K. injured his hand while fielding, he still managed to make the highest runs of the innings. Overall, he scored 1,842 runs and grabbed 65 wickets during the whole tour.


Nayudu was blessed with a tall and well-built physique, and was quite good at driving the ball as a batsman. Apart from this, he was also an accomplished fielder and slow-medium paced bowler.

Nayudu played his last Ranji Trophy cricket match for Uttar Pradesh in the year 1956-57 at the age of 62, wherein he scored 52 runs. He died a graceful death on the 14th of November 1967 in Indore.

Sipping tea in their warm home, Mrs. Leela recollects the life of her father. “Nana (Telugu for Father) always taught all of us children to be humble and that no work should be measured to be big or small…whatever you do, just do it with all your heart and dedication.” Leela ji herself was very good in sports, having represented her state and college in badminton and table tennis, and her shelves of trophies are witness to those glorious days of her life. Leela’s sister, Chandra Nayudu, went on to create another first for India by becoming the first woman cricket commentator! Chandra also wrote a book, ‘C.K. Nayudu, a Daughter Remembers…’.

Way before the IPL or T20s there was test cricket and C.K. Nayudu, and way before Mandira Bedi there was Chandra Nayudu! Leela ji has lived on the principles of her father and carries his legacy with her. She tells me that she used to go watch all her father’s matches as she does her grandsons Rohan’s and Rishi’s these days. She has immense hope for her grandson to carry on the legacy of her father. The Nayudu Family has given a lot to Indian cricket history…here is hoping Rohan and Rishi will enrich the Canadian cricket history! To the Kanjani family, thank you for opening your doors to me and our readers and sharing your story.

-A StarBuzz exclusive