The Ranji Trophy was instituted in 1934, as an alternative to the communal and divisive Bombay Pentangular tournament. Though it took some time to take off, the prestigious region based tournament was the ideal development for Indian cricket. It gained massive recognition, particularly in the war years (1939-1945) and featured not just domestic but overseas cricketers from time to time. One such to feature was English and Middlesex batter Denis Compton.
Compton came to India on British Army duty during the second world war. He was posted at Mhow in Holkar as a Sergeant Major. Being a recognized international sportsperson, he was regularly invited to play football and cricket matches. (Compton was a brilliant football player as well and played for Arsenal).
C.K. Nayudu, the former Indian captain and a Colonel in the Holkar Army came to know about his appointment. He was aware about Compton’s batting prowess and requested him to be a part of the Holkar side in the Ranji Trophy season of 1944-45. Compton agreed and was duly given permission from his commanding officer to play.
Holkar had a fruitful Ranji Trophy run that season, successfully making it to the semi-finals. Compton was part of the team which defeated Madras in the semi-final. He top scored in the first innings with a masterful 81. The final was to be played in a timeless format against Bombay at the Brabourne stadium. The Vijay Merchant-led Bombay team dominated the entire match and set a mammoth target of 867.
Holkar lost both their openers early and were struggling at 12 for 2 when Mushtaq Ali and Compton decided to take charge. This is where the story gets interesting. Before Compton arrived to bat, he was approached by a rich local merchant who promised to pay Compton a bonus of Rs 100 for every run he scored after his century. Apparently, the merchant was a die-hard Holkar supporter and wanted to motivate Compton to win the Ranji Trophy for the team.
Mushtaq Ali and Compton stitched an incredible 209 run partnership before Mushtaq was dismissed. While Compton continued to bat with flair, wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Compton was on 249 not out when the last batter O.P. Rawal was dismissed and Holkar was bundled for 492. Compton received a thunderous applause from the crowd for his resilient innings but his energies were focused in calculating his earnings, as promised by the merchant and wondering about how he would spend it.
As soon as he returned to the pavilion, he went to meet the rich merchant to claim his prize money. But the merchant was nowhere to be seen. Compton didn’t receive his reward but instead found a note congratulating him for his fine knock. It also stated that the merchant had to leave for urgent business. The day dreaming had come to an end. Compton would never meet the merchant again. Only left with him was a stupendous knock to cherish.
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