5 Lesser known batting records held by Indians in first-class cricket

4. Oldest player to score a fifty

Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla stood host for an interesting first-class game during the 1957/58 season. A team of active players named Present XI took on the Past XI team filled with the players who were aged over 40. Both the teams included a majority of players who represented India in Test cricket. The Past XI did give a decent fight despite most of their players were closing a half-century in the age.

Vijay Hazare’s 167 powered Past XI to 350 in their first innings in reply to Present XI’s total of 483. The Present XI were bowled out for 239 in only 38 overs in their 2nd innings to set Past XI a target of 373. CK Nayudu, aged 62 years and 107 days, walked out to bat at No.5 for the Past XI team. Nayudu was easily the oldest player in his team as no other player was past 50.

Nayudu scored 60 runs during the 2nd innings to ensure the game ended in a draw. This was Cottari Nayudu’s last fifty in FC cricket though he played the format until he was 68. No other player after turning 58 years managed to score a first-class fifty while Nayudu had four. By playing until the age of 68, Cottari Nayudu is also the 2nd oldest player to feature in a first-class match.