Nari Contractor: From cricketing courage to racing resilience
By Sharan Kumar
Celebrating his 90th birthday, the legendary former
Indian cricket captain, Nari Contractor, stands as a beacon of courage and
resilience. Renowned for his daring strokes on the cricket field, Contractor's
journey took a dramatic turn when a thunderous bouncer from West Indian
speedster Griffith struck him square on the head during India's tour of the
West Indies in 1962. In the backdrop of primitive medical facilities in the
year, Contractor's survival was nothing short of miraculous. The cricketing
fraternity rallied around him, with luminaries like West Indian skipper Frank
Worrell, alongside Chandu Borde, Bapu Nadkarni, Poli Umrigar, and journalist K
N Prabhu, donating blood to sustain him during his six-day unconscious state.
Despite his courageous return to first-class cricket
after the harrowing injury, Nari Contractor's heart harboured a lingering
regret: the unfulfilled desire to don the Indian jersey once more in a Test
match following his ordeal. With an impressive tally of 38 Test appearances to
his name, he longed for the opportunity to prove his mettle anew on the
international stage. Yet, alas, the coveted chance never materialized.
It's speculated that the cricketing authorities, wary
of the risks involved, hesitated to field the left-handed opening batsman,
whose head had endured a traumatic blow. Perhaps, in their caution, they sought
to shield him from further peril, prioritizing his well-being over his yearning
to reclaim his spot in the national team. And so, despite his valiant efforts
and unwavering determination, Contractor's dream of adding another Test cap to
his collection remained but a wistful aspiration, etched in the annals of
cricketing history.
Yet, beyond the boundaries of the cricket pitch lies a
lesser-known facet of Contractor's life—a fervent passion for horse racing.
Even in his twilight years, Contractor remained an avid racegoer, meticulously
devising his own system to rate horses and wagering successfully as a punter.
Amidst the challenges posed by advancing age and familial constraints,
Contractor remained a fixture at the racecourse, often found amidst the
bustling atmosphere of the bookmakers' enclosure, seldom venturing into the more
exclusive members' area.
Known for his knack in deciphering the secrets of
equine speed, Contractor guarded his insights closely, sharing them sparingly,
if at all. It's whispered amongst insiders that a comrade, nearly as seasoned
as Contractor himself, was instrumental in shaping his systematic approach
towards predicting race winners, a bond that transcended the thrill of the turf
and endured through the ages.
In the not-so-distant past, a chance encounter with
Nari Contractor during the running of the Indian Derby left me spellbound by
his resilience and zest for life, transcending the boundaries of his cricketing
glory. Despite enduring a severe injury, Contractor's comeback story captivated
me, especially his passion for horse racing, a realm where he found solace and
excitement beyond the cricket field. Our conversation veered towards his
friendship with my boss, Rajan Bala, a legendary cricket writer, with whom he
shared a deep bond. Contractor's knack for picking winners with uncanny
consistency intrigued me, a talent only halted by the onset of memory loss,
which prompted his family to rein in his ventures.
Two years ago, a pivotal moment arrived when a metal
plate, a reminder of his past surgery, was extracted in a Mumbai hospital,
alleviating the discomfort that had plagued him. Contractor's story isn't
solitary; cricket luminaries like Dilip Sardesai and M L Jaisimha too graced
the racecourses with their presence, their passion for the sport rivalling
their cricketing prowess. Dilip Sardesai was a more serious race goer. Even in
more recent times, figures like Ravi Shastri embraced the racing world, with familial
ties steeped in the pursuit of picking winners, underscoring the enduring
allure of the turf.
My colleague Vedam Jaishankar who wrote a book on
cricket ``Courage, Conviction, Controversy and Cricket’’ has an interesting
anecdote about the fondness of cricketers for horse racing. He said: ``In my
book I've quoted Chandra on 1971 tour. There used to be a very fast horse
called Mille which won everything in England. It was a favourite of Indian
cricketers who made quite a bit on it during those paucity days. Every time
Chandra wanted to bowl his faster one, he would yell "Mille". Slips
would fall back quietly or Sardesai would call out from slips "daloo
millie" to Chandra.
Indeed, the saga of Nari Contractor serves as a beacon
of resilience and passion, showcasing how love for horses and the thrill of
predicting a victor provided a buoyant force in the face of adversity,
epitomizing the indomitable spirit of a sporting legend.
Here's to wishing the legendary Nari Contractor many
more years filled with joy and health. Cheers to a true icon of courage and
passion!
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