Rank Ranjitsinhji, Duleepsinhji, Hazare and Merchant as batsmen.

[mr_mister]

I dunno but I see players from different generations compared all the damn time here


Look, perhaps I should have at least made separate threads for Duleep/Ranji and the Vijays, but I've already been accused of making too many thread so I tried to be efficient and kill two birds with one stone

I only even found out about these 4 players last year when I signed up for this site and heard them mentioned, and I've enjoyed reading about them all. Wanted to discuss them and thought this would be the best way

 

[Pratters]

Comparing impact definitely makes sense. Merchant, Ranji, Hazare, Duleep in that order for impact. Merchant was huge even though he didn't play a lot of tests. Ranji had an impact on early players in the sense that they thought they can do it if Ranji can. Hazare reminds me very much of Dravid some how. For impact don't forget Mushtaq Ali who was a big hitter who was extremely popular.

 

[Pratters]

I dunno but I see players from different generations compared all the damn time here


Look, perhaps I should have at least made separate threads for Duleep/Ranji and the Vijays, but I've already been accused of making too many thread so I tried to be efficient and kill two birds with one stone

I only even found out about these 4 players last year when I signed up for this site and heard them mentioned, and I've enjoyed reading about them all. Wanted to discuss them and thought this would be the best way

It's fine. No need to be so defensive. Not attacking you at all..

 

[mr_mister]

i enjoy explaining myself once i'm called out

 

[the big bambino]

Nah its a good thread. A little quirky but the comparisons hang together rather well imo.

 

[fredfertang]

Indeed - CK Nayudu worth a mention too - his numbers are relatively modest but was the MS Dhoni of his day

C.K.Nayudu | India Cricket | Cricket Players and Officials | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[Pratters]

Also worth mentioning Lala Amarnath.

 

[the big bambino]

He was too old by the time India played their maiden test but Deodhar was probably India's first batsman of class. He has a trophy named after him in Indian domestic cricket and reached his final century in 1992 before passing away the following year.

 

[jimmy101]

Glad that Nayudu & Deodhar finally got a mention. I believe that as far as impact goes, Nayudu's efforts cannot be ignored.

In 1926, whilst representing the first-class team 'Hindus', Nayudu scored 153 against a touring MCC team in Bombay. In total he hit eleven 6s & thirteen fours, batting for a total of 115 minutes. Nayudu first arrived at the crease in the morning session with his team tottering at 84-3 & from there he carried his team to 154-6 by lunch - with Nayudu himself reaching 50. Once the news of this unprecedented assault on the MCC bowlers spread throughout Bombay & when Nayudu & his batting partner resumed for the afternoon session, every rooftop around the ground & way off into the distance had been commandeered. Nayudu continued to bludgeon the MCC bowlers - Maurice Tate, RES Wyatt, George Geary, Ewart Astill & GS Boyes - smashing them into and beyond the pavilion to the delight of the crowd who had never seen such feats on Indian soil before.

 

[AndrewB]

It's weird. Ranji never played a match on Indian soil afaik.

Checking Wikipedia: "Ranjitsinhji travelled extensively throughout India, trying to build support among the princes and local officials, and received an enthusiastic reception from the public wherever he went. He also spent time with his mother and family in Sarador. He played plenty of cricket during his visit, with mixed success. Although he scored 257 in one game, in another he failed to score in either innings, the only time this happened to him in any form of cricket."

This seems to be the only scorecard from the visit on cricketarchive.