Nari Contractor delighted to be healthy at 75

Updated on: 07 March,2009 08:36 AM IST |
Clayton Murzello | clayton@mid-day.com

Not many cricketers get a chance to celebrate a landmark birthday and fly out two days later to a paradise destination where he played cricket 47 years ago.

Not many cricketers get a chance to celebrate a landmark birthday and fly out two days later to a paradise destination where he played cricket 47 years ago.

Former India captain Nari Contractor turns 75 today. On Monday, he will board a flight to be in Trinidad to

witness the setting up of blood banks in the name of his rival captain on the 1961-62 tour, Frank Worrell (first reported in MiD DAY on March 1)

His contribution to Indian cricket is significant. He was a steely opening batsman and led the country with distinction. Richie Benaud once rated him as one of the best openers in world cricket and legendary Aussie all-rounder Keith Miller said that Contractor should get a Victoria Cross for his bravery.

Contractor is proud of the fact that he returned to first-class cricket after the injury. "Not many players would have come back," he said. Contractor's major contribution to Mumbai cricket was his selection of Frank Tyson to spearhead the BCA-Mafatlal Bowling Scheme in 1990.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels