Remembering the glory days of the Holkars

Between 1941 and 52, the marauding Holkars won four Ranji Trophy titles and reached the final on six occasions.

The Holkars, those magnificent bunch of attacking cricketers who dominated Indian cricket in their time, lend Indore cricketing history and context.

Between 1941 and 52, the marauding Holkars won four Ranji Trophy titles and reached the final on six occasions.

Reminiscing about the Holkars, Madhya Pradesh off-spinning all-rounder of yesteryear and former National selector Sanjay Jagdale said, “The only way they knew to play was to attack.”

Also read: S. Dinakar, The Hindu’s senior cricket writer, passes away 

Men like C.K. Nayudu, an imposing cricketer, the aggressive Mushtaq Ahmed, the attractive Khandu Rangnekar and Chandu Sarwate with his all-round ability, were all part of Indore’s great Holkar team.

In fact, Sanjay Jagdale’s father M.M. Jagdale, a fine all-rounder, was a member of the Holkar’s Invincibles. “I used to go with my father to watch Holkar’s matches. I was thrilled to see that fearless brand of cricket,” he remembered.

Jagdale recalled Mushtaq Ali’s thrill-a-minute batsmanship. “What hand-eye coordination, what footwork! I would say he was India’s first Twenty20 player. The strokes Suryakumar Yadav is playing now, he used to play them then.”