5 players you did not know who had their roots in Madhya Pradesh

Madhya Pradesh is the second largest state in India in terms of area size. Owing to its geographical location, it is nicknamed the heart of India but it can also be considered the heart of so many great things in the country.

The state has had its fair share of cricketers over the years. Indeed, some of India’s best ever players had/have connections with Madhya Pradesh. Perhaps it is this very link that made them as great as their legacy.

Let’s take a look at 5 cricketers that had or have a connection with Madhya Pradesh:

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#1 MAK Pataudi

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was one of the greatest players in the history of Indian cricket. He was born in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and was the son of renowned cricketer, Iftikhar Ali Khan.

After the death of his father, he assumed the title of the Nawab of Pataudi until the Government of India abolished those entitlements in 1971. Some label him as the greatest captain the nation ever had. His fiery style of play resembled that of a tiger from one of Madhya Pradesh’s most prominent National Parks, Kanha National Park, and it is for this very reason that he was nicknamed as ‘Tiger Pataudi’.

#2 Narendra Hirwani

Narendra Hirwani took 16 wickets on debut

When Hirwani burst onto the scene, he made leonine roars that we are accustomed to hearing from the Bandhavgarh National Park in Madhya Pradesh. And that’s the thing he is really known for.

Born in Uttar Pradesh, his father was from Madhya Pradesh and he represented the state of his origin in domestic cricket. His career might have spiralled into obscurity after a few games, but his rise, in the beginning, was as meteoric as it got.

On his Test debut, he took an astonishing 16 wickets while giving away only 136 runs. These figures still hold the record for being the best ever achieved by a bowler on his debut.

#3 Syed Mushtaq Ali

Syed Mushtaq Ali was the first Indian to smash a century away from home

The Padma Shri winner was born in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and holds the eternal record of being the first Indian to smash a century whilst playing away from home in Manchester, England.

At a time when most batsmen preferred to be cautious in their batting approach, Mushtaq Ali was fearless and batted with the aggression of the leopards found in the Panna National Park situated in the Panna and Chhatarpur districts of Madhya Pradesh.

It is for this reason that he still remains one of the most revered characters in the history of Indian cricket.

#4 CK Nayudu

CK Nayudu (r) was India’s first Test captain

The right-handed batsman, who is mainly known for being the first Test captain of India, was born in Nagpur, Maharashtra. However, he breathed his last in Indore, Madhya Pradesh at the age of 72 in 1967.

Possessing the bravery of a tiger from the Satpura National Park in Madhya Pradesh, he was so revered that even the then ruler of Holkar invited him to Indore and made him the captain. The legendary batsman lived and breathed cricket, something which helped him continue playing first-class cricket until the age of 68!

What’s more? He was also a fine lawyer! A true all-rounder indeed!

#5 Rahul Dravid

One of India’s finest Test batsmen

Rahul Dravid is perhaps Madhya Pradesh’s greatest export. Born in Indore, he is one of India’s greatest ever—if not the greatest—Test players. He was known for his technique that was as beautiful as the scenic Madhav National Park in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, but if he chose to, he could be as fierce as the tigers in Bandavgarh, as he showed against New Zealand by smashing a 50 in just 22 balls!

The Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan holder, who is also known as The Wall, played in a mammoth 164 Tests, scoring 13288 runs with an average of 52.31. It was his unparalleled diligence that made him one of the toughest batsmen to bowl against and India’s finest product in Tests.