 India (IND) |
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| Batting style | Right-hand bat | |
| Bowling type | Right-arm medium | |
| Tests | First-class | |
| Matches | 10 | 150 |
| Runs scored | 859 | 13470 |
| Batting average | 47.72 | 71.64 |
| 100s/50s | 3/3 | 45/52 |
| Top score | 154 | 359* |
| Balls bowled | 54 | 5087 |
| Wickets | - | 65 |
| Bowling average | - | 32.12 |
| 5 wickets in innings | - | 1 |
| 10 wickets in match | - | - |
| Best bowling | - | 5/73 |
| Catches/stumpings | 7/- | 115/- |
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Test debut: 15 December 1933 |
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Vijaysingh Madhavji Merchant 
pronunciation (help·info) (October 12, 1911 - October 27, 1987) was an Indian cricketer.
Contents |
Domestic Cricket
Vijay Merchant captained Sydenham College, Bombay while studying there, his success for Sydenham led to selection for Hindus Cricket Team during the 1929 Bombay Quadrangular. He also continued to play for Sydenham and in 1931 he set the record in Bombay inter-collegiate cricket by scoring 504 runs and taking 29 wickets. His continued success in domestic cricket resulted in the call to the Indian cricket team to play against the visiting English team at Bombay Gymkhana, which was also the first test to be played on the Indian soil. [1] Throughout his career Merchant was involved in a rivalry with the other great Indian batsman of the era Vijay Hazare. Hazare was the first one to set the benchmark when he scored 309 for the Rest against the Hindus at the Bombay Pentagular tournament, but Merchant topped it by scoring 359 against Maharashtra in Ranji trophy.[2]
International career
Vijay Merchant test career spanned 18 years but during that time he played only ten Test matches, Merchant was unfortunate that some of the best years of his cricket career came during the second world war, when no international cricket was played. He also missed tours to Australia and West Indies due to poor health. However, Merchant went out on a high scoring 154 in his last test match against England in Delhi, which was also his highest test score. A shoulder injury incurred while fielding in that game forced him to retire. All ten test matches of Merchant's test career were against England.
Legacy
Although Vijay Merchant played only ten test matches, he is widely considered to be one of the greatest batman of his era.[citation needed] His batting average in first-class cricket was 71.64, putting him second only to Don Bradman of Australia. In India's domestic Ranji Trophy matches, he fared even better, averaging 98.75 in 47 innings. His record is especially impressive as his runs came at a time of uncovered wickets. Merchant was one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1937. Vijay Merchant is also the oldest Indian player to score a test century (154 at an age of 40 years 21 days from India vs England match in 1951-52).[3]
Personal life
Vijay Merchant's real name is Vijay Madhavji Thakersey.[3] His brother, Uday, also played first-class cricket.
References
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