Mushtaq Ali, the first Indian to score a Test hundred overseas, was born on this day, 1914.
Mushtaq was a batsman so attractive that Eden Gardens (where else?) once protested against his omission.
The slogan was simple: No Mushtaq, no Test.
He was a batsman like that.
+
Mushtaq was a batsman so attractive that Eden Gardens (where else?) once protested against his omission.
The slogan was simple: No Mushtaq, no Test.
He was a batsman like that.
+
He used to step out against fast bowlers – in the 1930s.
He used the uppercut with abandon.
Keith Miller called the Errol Flynn of cricket.
Ray Robinson called him "the most daringly original of international batsmen".
+
He used the uppercut with abandon.
Keith Miller called the Errol Flynn of cricket.
Ray Robinson called him "the most daringly original of international batsmen".
+
Numbers?
Mushtaq scored 13,213 runs at 35.90 and picked up 162 wickets at 29.34 – impressive by any standards.
All this for a man who once said: "I still believe that cricket played with joie de vivre, tempered with skill and caution, can normally lead to victory.
+
Mushtaq scored 13,213 runs at 35.90 and picked up 162 wickets at 29.34 – impressive by any standards.
All this for a man who once said: "I still believe that cricket played with joie de vivre, tempered with skill and caution, can normally lead to victory.
+
"Stoic resistance can avert defeat, but seldom contribute to a win. You can say, fortune favours the brave or attack is the best means of defence – it all adds to the same thing."
Yes, that is how cricket should be played.
+
Yes, that is how cricket should be played.
+
The Test numbers (612 runs at 32.21) do not sound very impressive, but that includes two Test hundreds.
The first, at Old Trafford in 1936, was the first overseas hundred by an Indian.
Mushtaq was already in form, with 135 against Minor Counties and 141 against Surrey.
+
The first, at Old Trafford in 1936, was the first overseas hundred by an Indian.
Mushtaq was already in form, with 135 against Minor Counties and 141 against Surrey.
+
In the second Test at Old Trafford, England bowled out India for 203, then declared on 571/8 next day.
"To wipe out a deficit of 368 was like scaling Mt Everest," Mushtaq thought.
Then there was the other factor.
+
"To wipe out a deficit of 368 was like scaling Mt Everest," Mushtaq thought.
Then there was the other factor.
+
This was the ill-fated tour where Vizzy tried his best to split the squad in order to build a camp of his own.
He was constantly busy bribing, trying to win people over to his side.
He tried to convince Mushtaq too, to run out Merchant.
But he chose the wrong person.
+
He was constantly busy bribing, trying to win people over to his side.
He tried to convince Mushtaq too, to run out Merchant.
But he chose the wrong person.
+
Mushtaq tipped off Merchant.
"Try it if you can," came Merchant's reply.
Mushtaq started with a gorgeous cover-drive off Alf Gover ("sent the ball over the grass so swiftly that it might have been a ray of light").
India reached 25 in 20 minutes and 50 in 45.
+
"Try it if you can," came Merchant's reply.
Mushtaq started with a gorgeous cover-drive off Alf Gover ("sent the ball over the grass so swiftly that it might have been a ray of light").
India reached 25 in 20 minutes and 50 in 45.
+
Mushtaq then stepped out to hit Gubby Allen out of the ground and missed.
Merchant cautioned him, so Mushtaq responded by hitting Verity for two fours.
Merchant figured out there was no point, so he approached his own hundred in contrasting style.
+
Merchant cautioned him, so Mushtaq responded by hitting Verity for two fours.
Merchant figured out there was no point, so he approached his own hundred in contrasting style.
+
So exhilarating was his stroke-play that when Mushtaq reached the 90s, the typically aloof Wally Hammond walked up to him: "My boy, be steady, get your hundred first."
So Mushtaq obliged.
+
So Mushtaq obliged.
+
Neville Cardus wote: "We could understand how a Ranji flowered from this field of play. The batting has paid rare tribute to cricket’s loveliness, its art and originality."
Cardus, of course, was known for overuse of the superlative.
+
Cardus, of course, was known for overuse of the superlative.
+
But what about CB Fry, Ranji's friend and former teammate, who announced that Ranji "would have been the happiest man to witness your innings”?
Or Hobbs? "The best present I can make to you for your batting today is my genuine appreciation."
+
Or Hobbs? "The best present I can make to you for your batting today is my genuine appreciation."
+
Even Vizzy gifted him a gold wristwatch, albeit grudgingly.
When Mushtaq left Old Trafford that day he was stopped by a gatekeeper.
The man gave Mushtaq a sixpence, confessing that it was a token of his appreciation.
+
When Mushtaq left Old Trafford that day he was stopped by a gatekeeper.
The man gave Mushtaq a sixpence, confessing that it was a token of his appreciation.
+
He added that he had done this only twice before – to Bradman and Duleepsinhji.
Mushtaq's 112 took 150 minutes. He hit 17 fours. Merchant also got a hundred, and India drew the Test.
Mushtaq's 112 took 150 minutes. He hit 17 fours. Merchant also got a hundred, and India drew the Test.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
