IND vs ENG: No invitation for Gujarat hero Nari Contractor to watch Ahmedabad Tests

Nari Contractor

Former India and Gujarat captain Nari Contractor is a bit disappointed at not receiving a formal invitation to attend any or both India v England Tests at the newly-inaugurated Narendra Modi Stadium, Motera. The second Ahmedabad Test, which is the fourth and final one of the series, starts on Thursday.

Contractor, who will turn 87 on March 7, said that he would've been at the Test if invited. "If I am invited, I will come," Contractor told mid-day from his Mumbai residence on Monday.

Not keen to make an issue out of it though, Contractor said: "I am not in a physical condition to travel so far, so it evens out."

However, Contractor felt an official invite would have made him feel better. "I have not received it yet and this is a fact," said Contractor, whose 31-Test career ended abruptly after suffering a blow on the head from a Charlie Griffith delivery on the 1961-62 tour of the West Indies.

"Maybe some of the office-bearers don't know it [that he's a former Gujarat captain]," he remarked.

"All former Gujarat captains and ex-first-class players were invited for the Test," said Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) joint secretary Anil Patel, adding that he needed to confirm the same. No confirmation was forthcoming, though.

Contractor's first-class debut for Gujarat in 1952-53 came about when he was called to replace the captain on the morning of the match against Baroda. He scored a century in each innings, becoming only the second batsman after fellow left-hander - Australian Arthur Morris - to achieve the feat in first-class cricket.

Contractor served Gujarat even after his head injury. Save 1962-63, he played every season for Gujarat till 1970-71.