Merchant: Much more than a great batsman

In Mid-Day, Kersi Meher-Homji pays tribute to industrialist, philanthropist, selector, administrator and arguably India's first great batsman, Vijay Merchant, on his birth centenary.

The eminent cricket writer Neville Cardus called Merchant "India's good European." The confrontation between the two mighty run-getters, Bradman and Merchant, was anticipated with excitement during India's pioneering tour of Australia in 1947-48. Merchant was appointed captain, but a groin injury forced him out. Bradman summed up his disappointment by saying, "We were denied the sight of Vijay Merchant, who must surely have claims to be the greatest of all Indian players."

Merchant's forthrightness set him apart, be it giving speeches or while batting. It was impossible not to like him, says KR Guruprasad in DNA.

Also in Mid-Day, is an excerpt from Marcus Couto's book, Vijay Merchant in Memoriam, about Merchant's charity work for the disabled.