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A tribute revisits Polly Umrigar’s immense contribution to Indian cricket, highlighting his records, resilience and leadership in the 1950s and early 1960s. India’s premier batsman of his time, he set multiple milestones and later served as selector and manager, shaping future teams while remaining deeply involved in the sport’s development.

Dicky Rutnagur’s tribute says it all. Writing after Polly Umrigar retired from Test cricket in 1962 the well-known cricket journalist wrote: ``Even when he did not get runs Umrigar’s presence in the side was always a source of confidence and inspiration to the younger players.’’

That just about summed up Umrigar’s immense contribution to Indian cricket.

The first Indian to get a double century in Tests. The first Indian to score 3000 runs and figure in 50 Tests. The highest first class score (252 not out) by an Indian abroad – a record that stood for 30 years. Such achievements sat lightly on the broad shoulders of Umrigar whose enthusiasm for the game was infectious and whose tactical knowledge of various aspects of cricket was second to none.

Umrigar came on the scene in the formative years of Indian cricket. The first Test he played against John Goddard’s West Indian side of 1948-49 was only the fifth to be played in India and the 17th overall. Like any country in its formative years India too suffered successive setbacks against England, Australia and West Indies. It was Umrigar who provided the stability and the heroism. Like the boy on the burning deck he stood amidst the ruins. In a losing cause it was Umrigar’s batting that was frequently the only silver lining. And while bowlers ripped through the Indian batting repeatedly they knew they had a fight on their hands whenever Umrigar was at the crease.