“Pahlan Ratanji Umrigar” famously known as “Polly Umrigar” is the first Indian player who scores the First Double Hundred for India in the International Test Cricket.
He played first-class Cricket from Maharashtra and Gujarat, as well as the Test Player of the Indian Cricket Team. He did his International Career Debut against West Indies, on December 9, 1948. He was an All-Rounder player, which involves Right-Hand Batsman and Right-Arm Off break Bowling. He also Captained team India in 8 Test Matches from 1955 to 1958. The first double-century by him was scored against New Zealand in Hyderabad.
He retired from cricket in the year 1962, and at the time became the Indian Player with maximum i.e. 12 Test Centuries. He played his last test match against West Indies on April 13, 1962. He was a Parsi from the Zoroastrian Community and hails from Sholapur, Maharashtra. He was born on March 28, 1926. He started his cricketing career with first-class cricket and made his debut at the age of 18 in the year 1944. He was also the Captain of Cricket Team from Bombay University. He was a good player of Hockey and Football too. He completed his Graduation i.e. BSc. from St. Xavier’s College.
He is one of the two Indian Players to score a Century and take 5 wickets in an innings. He was awarded Padma Shri for his contribution to the Indian Cricket in the year 1962. He also won C.K. Nayudu trophy for his performance in the year 1988-89. He continued his association with cricket after his retirement by being the Chairman of the Selection Committee, Tour Manager, and BCCI Executive Secretary. He died at the age of 80 years due to Lymph Cancer on November 7, 2006, at Mumbai, Maharashtra.
