: "A Colonel Destined to Lead" is the fascinating story of Indian cricket’s first superstar – Col. CK Nayudu. CK, as he was popularly known, started playing cricket at a time when the game was still in its nascent stages in India. In fact, it was his innings of 153 runs for the Hindus against the visiting Marylebone Cricket (MCC) at the Bombay Gymkhana which paved way for India’s elevation to test status. Thus, it was only fitting that he went on to become India’s first test captain in 1932. Test cricket came very late in his life and his prime days were with the Hindus team in the Bombay Quadrangular tournament in the 1920s & 1930s. Post retirement , he remarkably led the Holkar team to four Ranji Trophy titles. His first-class cricket career spanned over an astonishing 47 years. He played his last first-class match at the age of 68 years. Later, he also became the Chairman of the National Selection Committee. His story is an inspiration for anyone aspiring to take sports as a career and a delight for any sports lover. “The Hindu Bradman in Form at Lord's†- The Star, May 23, 1932 "Nayudu is a very sensitive batsman; for each of his strokes you get the impression of a new-born energy, of a sudden improvisation of superb technique." - Neville Cardus “Beyond doubt, one of the finest living cricketers. An artist who happens to look the part. A grand performer.†- CB About the Author: Aditya Bhushan is a cricket writer who has written for Sportskeeda and other websites. Currently, he works as a User Experience professional in a multi-national firm in Gurugram. He has done his MBA in Marketing from G L Institute of Management, Chennai and also holds a B.Tech degree from VNIT, Nagpur. He has authored books like - Guts Amidst Bloodbath: The Aunshuman Gaekwad Narrative and Fortune Turners - Story of India's spin quartet.
