Chandra Nayudu, daughter of India’s first test captain Col. CK Nayudu left for heavenly abode on Sunday. It is believed that the reason for her demise was her age-related ailment.
As per reports, she used to live alone under poor conditions at her house in Indore. Chandra’s dream was to do something different, ‘something first’ in the field of cricket, just like her father. Being a professor of the English subject, she tried her hands on commentary for the first time during the Bombay vs MCC game in the year 1976-77.
Saddened to hear about the demise of Miss Chandra Nayudu ji, India’s first women cricket commentator. My heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) April 4, 2021
“Like her father, she wanted to be the first to do something. She inherited some of her father’s traits. Chandra was a very brave and courageous lady. She would never accept defeat easily in her life,” said Sushil Doshi, a well-known cricket commentator who also considered Chandra as his elder sister.
Her nephew, Vijay Nayudu spoke to ANI over the phone and told that she used to play cricket early in the times, in 1950-60s. She has also contributed a lot in bringing up cricket in Madhya Pradesh. She was an active member of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association. Being an English professor, her command of the national language was great.
Chandra Nayudu, 1st Indian Female Cricket Commentator, Passes Away At 88.
She was the first and only woman to ever enter the Lord’s Common Room at the iconic Lords cricket stadium, where she was invited to present a cricket bat of her father CK Nayudu to Lord’s Museum.
R.I.P 🙏 pic.twitter.com/jspLFZKwG7
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) April 5, 2021
She was one of the reasons for bringing women’s cricket into the picture during the 70s when cricket was a male-dominated sport in the country. She also wrote a book named ‘CK Nayudu: A Daughter Remembers’ in memory of her father.
Her nephew Vijay told more about her to the media after her demise. In an official statement, he said- “Chandra Nayudu wore multiple hats during her active life spanning over almost 60 years. She passed away at the age of 88 years due to an age-related ailment. She was a professor of English at the local Govt Degree College, Indore, and had played cricket way back in the 50s while studying at Holkar College when the girls used to play wearing white salwar kameez.”
“She took an active interest in the game and was the first lady commentator of an international match. She had also introduced Inter-University Cricket Tournament for Women way back in the 80s by donating a trophy in the memory of her mother. She was an active member of the MPCA and took part in many of its activities.”
“She was also an active member of Rotary Club of Indore and Giants International and participated in social activities. She was perhaps the only lady who was allowed to enter Lords Common Room during the presentation ceremony of a cricket Bat of her father CK Nayudu to Lords Museum. She had also presented the Silver Coated Cricket Bat of CK to CCI. This Bat was presented to CK by Sir Arthur Gilligan after that famous match in which CK had scored 156 runs with the help of 11 sixes and 14 fours. That inning of CK had brought India into the map of world cricket. Chandra Nayudu remained active till a few years back and attended many functions organized by BCCI, CCI, and MPCA. Her passing away has indeed brought to an end the link between the past and the present. May her soul rest in peace,” he added.
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