Vijaysingh Madhavji Merchant ,real name Vijay Madhavji Thakersey (October 12, 1911 - October 27, 1987) was an Indian cricketer. A right-hand batter and occasional right-arm medium pace bowler, Merchant played first class cricket for Mumbai cricket team as well as 10 Test matches for India between 1929 and 1951
Behind his limited Test appearances, he dominated Indian domestic cricket - his batting average of 71.64 is the second highest first class average in history, behind only that of Don Bradman.
His international career included two tours of England upon which he scored over 4,000 runs. English cricketer CB Fry exclaimed "Let us paint him white and take him with us to Australia as an opener."
Merchant's Test career spanned 18 years but during that time he played only ten Test matches, and was unfortunate that some of the best years of his career were lost to the Second World War, when no international cricket was played. He also missed tours to Australia and the West Indies due to poor health.[1] However, Merchant went out to score 154 in his last Test match against England in Delhi, which was also his highest Test score. A shoulder injury incurred while fielding in that game forced him to retire. All ten matches of Merchant's Test career were against England.
His record is especially impressive as his runs came at a time of uncovered wickets. Merchant was one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1937. Vijay Merchant is also the oldest Indian player to score a test century (154 at an age of 40 years 21 days from India vs England match in 1951-52).
| Competition | Tests | First-class |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 10 | 150 |
| Runs scored | 859 | 13470 |
| Batting average | 47.72 | 71.64 |
| 100s/50s | 3/3 | 45/52 |
| Top score | 154 | 359* |
SYED MUSHTAQ ALI
Syed Mushtaq Ali (December 17, 1914 – June 18, 2005) was a former Indian cricketer, and an aggressive Test batsman. Ali holds the distinction of scoring the first Test century by any Indian overseas, when he hit a ton for the team in 1936 at Manchester in England.A Wisden Special Award winner, he scored four first class hundreds in the 1936 tour.He was an opening or middle order right-hand batsman and a slow left-arm bowler.
Ali played extensively for regional team and private clubs when cricket was a young sport in India. He was not only a sporting legend, but a popular superstar of his time, and an icon for the younger generation of Indian youth. Combining with another legend, the cautious yet skilled Vijay Merchant, Ali's aggression and powerful strokeplay formed a dynamic and legendary opening partnership for the team for years.
He played for Holkar in the National Championship for the Ranji Trophy along with other stalwarts like C K Nayudu. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1964 and made a life member of the Marylebone Cricket Club for his contribution to the game. He died in his sleep, at the age of 90.He is a popular figure in Indian cricket.
| Competition | Tests | First-class |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 11 | 226 |
| Runs scored | 612 | 13213 |
| Batting average | 32.21 | 35.90 |
| 100s/50s | 2/3 | 30/63 |
| Top score | 112 | 233 |
| Balls bowled | 378 | 9702 |
| Wickets | 3 | 162 |
| Bowling average | 67.33 | 29.34 |
| 5 wickets in innings | - | 6 |
| 10 wickets in match | - | 2 |
| Best bowling | 1/45 | 7/108 |
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| Vijay Merchant and Mushtaq ali walks out to open innings |
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