Bhausaheb Babasaheb Nimbalkar (12 December 1919 – 11 December 2012) was an Indian first-class cricketer best remembered for an unbeaten innings of 443 runs played for Maharashtra against Kathiawar in the 1948–49 Ranji Trophy. The innings remains one of the highest individual scores in Indian first-class cricket and came within reach of Don Bradman's then world record before the match was cut short.
| Full name | Bhausaheb Babasaheb Nimbalkar |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 December 1919 |
| Died | 11 December 2012 (aged 92) |
| Country | India |
| Role | Right-hand batsman |
| Domestic teams | Maharashtra, Holkar, Baroda, Railways |
| Highest score | 443 not out (1948–49 Ranji Trophy) |
| Notable for | Triple-century innings of 443* against Kathiawar |
Background
Nimbalkar belonged to the generation of Indian cricketers who came to prominence in the 1940s, when the Ranji Trophy had emerged as the principal first-class competition in the country. He played for several teams over a long domestic career, including Maharashtra, Holkar, Baroda and Railways, which were among the strongest sides of that era.
The 443 not out
The innings for which Nimbalkar is most widely remembered came during a Ranji Trophy match between Maharashtra and Kathiawar in December 1948, played at Poona (Pune). Batting at length against the Kathiawar attack, he reached 443 not out, an innings that stood as the highest individual score in Indian first-class cricket for decades and remained one of the highest in the history of the format worldwide.
The Kathiawar side conceded the match before Nimbalkar could resume his innings, ending his pursuit of Don Bradman's then world record first-class score of 452 not out (made for New South Wales against Queensland in 1929–30). The circumstances of the early conclusion attracted considerable comment in cricket writing for years afterwards, and the innings is often cited in discussions of unbroken or unfinished record attempts.
Career
Across his first-class career Nimbalkar was regarded as a heavy run-scorer in domestic cricket, with several large innings to his credit. He did not, however, play Test cricket for India, a fact frequently noted in retrospectives on his career given the scale of his domestic output. He continued to be associated with cricket administration and coaching in Maharashtra after retiring as a player.
Later life and death
Nimbalkar lived in Pune in his later years and died on 11 December 2012, a day before his 93rd birthday. His passing prompted obituaries in the Indian cricket press recalling the 443 innings and his place among the leading domestic batsmen of the immediate post-Independence period.
Significance
Nimbalkar's career is significant in Indian cricket history for two reasons. First, his innings of 443 not out set a benchmark for high scoring in the Ranji Trophy and is among the highest scores ever recorded in first-class cricket. Second, his career illustrates the depth of batting talent in Indian domestic cricket during the 1940s and 1950s, a period when selection for the national side was limited and many leading run-scorers did not progress to Test level.
Related topics
- Ranji Trophy
- Maharashtra cricket team
- Holkar cricket team
- List of highest individual scores in first-class cricket
- Indian cricket
- Don Bradman
References
- Wikidata entry: Q793878