Mumbai, March 6: Cricket is an exhilarating sport that can lead to fame and fortune. However, the risk of injury looms large. Many cricketers have seen their careers impacted or cut short due to injuries. One prominent name in this regard is former Indian opener Nari Contractor.
Nari Contractor, whose full name is Nariman Jamshedji Nari Contractor, was born on March 7, 1934, in Godhra, which was part of the Bombay Presidency at that time. He played domestic cricket for Gujarat and made his Test debut against New Zealand on December 2, 1955. Throughout his career, he played only Test matches and was appointed captain of the Indian team at the age of 26. His career was on a promising trajectory until a devastating injury led to its premature end.
In 1962, during a Test match between India and the West Indies in Kingston, a bouncer from Caribbean fast bowler Charlie Griffith struck Contractor on the head. The injury was severe. Contractor remained unconscious for six days and lost a significant amount of blood. Players from both India and the West Indies donated blood to save him. Subsequently, doctors had to implant a metal plate in his skull to save his life. While Contractor survived, this injury effectively ended his cricketing career. He never played again after this incident.
Between 1955 and 1962, he played 31 Test matches, scoring 1,611 runs with one century and 11 half-centuries in 52 innings. In addition, he amassed 8,611 runs in 138 first-class matches, including 22 centuries.
Contractor currently resides in Mumbai. In recognition of his contributions to cricket, he was honored with the C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
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