Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu, popularly known as C. K. Nayudu, was an Indian cricketer who served as the first captain of the Indian cricket team in Test matches. A right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler, he is regarded as one of the pioneering figures of Indian cricket and led the country in its inaugural Test match against England at Lord's in 1932. He played first-class cricket over a span of more than five decades, making him one of the longest-serving cricketers in the history of the sport.
| Full name | Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 October 1895, Nagpur, Central Provinces, British India |
| Died | 14 November 1967, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm medium pace |
| Role | All-rounder; captain |
| Test debut | 25 June 1932 vs England, Lord's, London |
| Tests played | 7 |
| Domestic teams | Central Provinces and Berar, Holkar, Andhra, Uttar Pradesh, others |
| Honours | Padma Bhushan (1956) |
C. K. Nayudu was born in Nagpur into a Telugu-speaking family with roots in the Machilipatnam region of present-day Andhra Pradesh. He was educated at Hislop College in Nagpur, where he developed his cricketing skills. His younger brother, C. S. Nayudu, also played Test cricket for India.
Nayudu began playing first-class cricket in 1916 for the Hindus in the Bombay Quadrangular tournament, the principal cricketing competition of pre-independence India.
Nayudu's reputation as a batsman of unusual power was sealed during the visit of Arthur Gilligan's MCC side to India in 1926–27. Playing for the Hindus against the MCC at the Bombay Gymkhana ground, he scored 153, an innings that included 11 sixes and is often cited as a turning point in India's progress towards Test status. The innings drew widespread attention and contributed to India being granted full membership of the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1926.
When India played its first Test match at Lord's in June 1932, Nayudu was appointed captain, leading the team against England under Douglas Jardine. India lost the match, but Nayudu's leadership and composure earned him recognition. He continued as captain for the home Test series against England in 1933–34, the first Tests played on Indian soil, and led the team on the 1936 tour of England.
Nayudu had a long and prolific domestic career. He represented several teams, including the Central Provinces, Holkar, Andhra and Uttar Pradesh, in the Ranji Trophy, which began in 1934–35. He was particularly associated with Holkar, leading them to multiple Ranji Trophy finals during the 1940s. He continued to play first-class cricket well into his sixties, his last first-class appearance being in 1963–64, an unusual longevity in the sport.
Nayudu was known for his upright stance, long reach and ability to drive powerfully, particularly off the front foot. He was among the earliest Indian batsmen to score sixes regularly at a time when boundary-clearing shots were uncommon. Beyond his batting, he was a useful medium-pace bowler and an athletic fielder.
His significance extends beyond statistics. As India's first Test captain, he played a foundational role in shaping the country's cricketing identity in the colonial era. He was named one of Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1933, the first Indian to receive the honour. In 1956, the Government of India conferred on him the Padma Bhushan, one of the country's highest civilian honours.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) instituted the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in his honour, which is presented annually to former cricketers for their contribution to Indian cricket. The C. K. Nayudu Trophy, an under-25 first-class tournament conducted by the BCCI, is also named after him. He held the rank of Colonel in the army of the princely state of Holkar, which is the source of the title often prefixed to his name.