Remembering Vijay Merchant, India's Don Bradman of Cricket

Vijay Merchant's name is firmly written into the history of Indian cricket. Celebrated for his sound technique and masterful stroke-making, he was widely called India's 'Don Bradman'. His remarkable batting earned respect from players and observers across the world.

Vijay Madhavji Merchant was born on October 12, 1911, in Mumbai, to a family engaged in trade. He was initially named 'Vijay Thakersey'. A question from his English teacher about his father's profession led to a misunderstanding. Merchant explained that his father was a 'merchant', and this led to the name 'Vijay Merchant' that he carried through his career.

He excelled in domestic cricket and earned a place in India's Test team at 22. Although he was eligible for India's early Tests, he refused to play, guided by patriotism and Gandhian thought. His debut came against England in Mumbai in December 1933, where he made 23 and 30.

Merchant's international career covered roughly 18 years, but the Second World War kept him out of cricket for about a decade. In 10 Test matches for India, he scored 859 runs at an average of 47.72, including three centuries and three fifties.

His first-class record remains outstanding. Across 150 matches and 234 innings, he amassed 13,470 runs at 71.64, with 45 centuries and 52 half-centuries. Only Don Bradman had a better first-class batting average.

Known for his late cut and hook shot, Merchant impressed contemporaries, including English cricketer C.B. Fry. He was honoured as Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1937.

He scored centuries in his last two Tests, 128 against England in August 1946 and 154 in Delhi in November 1951. A shoulder injury led to his retirement in 1951. He died of a heart attack on October 27, 1987, at 76.

The Vijay Merchant Trophy, launched in 1985-86, keeps his legacy alive. It is a major Under-16 domestic cricket competition in India.