Published: Oct 12, 2011, 11:02 AM (IST)
Edited: Apr 23, 2014, 12:17 PM (IST)
By Sudhir Vaidya
The present generation and a generation earlier would have heard comparisons of Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar with the legendary Sir Don Bradman. But long before the arrival of Gavaskar and Tendulkar, there was one man who wowed the world like no other Indian and whose epic First-Class career drew comparisons with the The Don.
Today, October 12, 2011, is the birth centenary of Merchant and its befitting that I have been asked by Cricketcountry to pay obeisance to one the greatest cricketers the world has seen.
Vijay Madhavji Thackersey, later to be famously known as Vijay Merchant, was one the earliest Indian cricketers to stamp his authority on world cricket. Sadly, Merchant lived in the pre-television era and his legendary batting could not be chronicled for posterity in the way it deserved.
Merchant played all his 10 Tests – home and away – against England He averaged 47.72, which was considered incredible in that era. But, it was his First-Class average of 71.64 – second only to Sir Don Bradman’s 95.14 – that is still spoken with awe and respect. It’s a fact brought which I brought to Merchant’s attention and which the great man responded by saying that he felt “honored and surprised” to stand only next to the The Don.
Merchant’s batting on the uncovered and treacherous tracks of England is unparalleled by an Indian batsmen. On two tours to England, Merchant plundered hundreds with ease. On India’s second tour of England in 1936 (Merchant’s first), he scored 1745 runs in the First-Class games at an average of 51.32.
Ten years later, in 1946, he returned to England as a senior player and bettered the standard he had set on his previous sojourn. On this tour, Merchant looked invincible as he helped himself 2385 runs scored at an average of 74.00.
It’s a pity that some of his best years were lost to the Second World War. The 1946 tour seemed to be a start of a new era for him, but sadly he missed the tours to Australia and West Indies due to ill health. He played only one Test match after that tour of 1946. When England toured India in 1951, Merchant played in the first Test of the series and scored 154. He injured his shoulder which cut short his comeback and forced him into retirement. His mammoth 154 was his last-ever in international cricket.
Merchant’s greatness transcended the cricket field. He was a renowned businessman and a noted philanthropist. I have heard him say, “I do not believe in god. I do not go to any temple. But before going to bed, I try to recollect the services I offered humanity during the day. Even if I remember one or two instances, I feel satisfied. That is my service to God. I have not slept any day without offering some service to humanity.”
Merchant called his post-retirement philanthropic work as his “second innings” as he vowed to serve humanity. He discouraged people he knew from giving give alms to beggars. Instead he told them to bring such beggars to his mill – Hindoostan Spinning & Weaving Mills, which was part of the Thackersey Group. He said, “Whenever possible, bring them to me at my mills, I shall provide them a job which would offer them a permanent income. Your alms to a beggar would satisfy his requirements temporarily, but I shall provide him a permanent solution.”
The National Society for Equal Opportunities for the Handicapped (NASEOH) was founded by him as he led a crusade against the hardships faced by the physically challenged. He also headed many charitable institutions such as National Association for the Blind, Jawans’ Welfare Association etc.
If I grew in stature as a statistician, it was largely due to Merchant, who permitted me to use the Dr. H.D Kanga Memorial Library beyond working hours. He made an arrangement for the keys of the library to be handed over to me – a youngster then. I would return the keys to the Cricket Club of India (CCI) office after I had done my research.
In his post-retirement days, Merchant made it a point to attend all prize distribution ceremonies he was invited to, despite his hectic business schedule.
Merchant commanded great respect from the masses. When India and the West Indies played a Test match at Wankhede Stadium in 1974-75, there was a major crowd trouble which hindered the proceedings of the game. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, who was present at the stadium, requested Merchant to address the angry spectators and calm them down. With folded hands, Merchant asked the spectator to be calm. To everyone’s surprise, the angry crowd calmed down in a matter of minutes and play resumed.”
Merchant has left us a rich legacy of sporting and human values. He led a principled life and set an example for generations to come. Cricket was the game he loved and he gave it the highest respect with his commitment and passion. Though he was born in a very wealthy family, Merchant’s life was devoted to charitable work and in improving the lives of the less fortunate section of our society.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that Vijay Merchant was one of a kind.
Sudhir Vaidya was talking to Nishad Pai Vaidya
(Sudhir Vaidya has been statistician of the Board of Control for Cricket in India since the 80s and the Mumbai Cricket Association since the 70s. He has assisted radio and TV cricket commentators as a cricket statistician in over 250 live Tests, ODIs and domestic first class cricket matches. He has also edited/compiled 16 Statistical Annuals for BCCI during this period. Seven voluminous books on domestic cricket were compiled and edited by him, on behalf of the BCCI. He has also authored several books on cricket)
