Vijay Merchant

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Vijay Merchant
India (IND)
Vijay Merchant
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling type Right-arm medium
Tests First-class
Matches 10 150
Runs scored 859 13470
Batting average 47.72 71.64
100s/50s 3/3 45/52
Top score 154 359*
Balls bowled 54 5087
Wickets - 65
Bowling average - 32.12
5 wickets in innings - 1
10 wickets in match - -
Best bowling - 5/73
Catches/stumpings 7/- 115/-

Test debut: 15 December 1933
Last Test: 2 November 1951
Source: Cricinfo

Vijaysingh Madhavji Merchant pronunciation  (October 12, 1911 - October 27, 1987) was an Indian cricketer. His batting average in first-class cricket was an extraordinary 71.64, putting him second only to Don Bradman of Australia. In India's domestic Ranji Trophy matches, he fared even better, averaging 98.75 in 47 innings.

Merchant played in ten Test matches, and made his highest score of 154 in the last against England at Delhi in 1951-52. A shoulder injury incurred while fielding in that game forced him to retire. Five years earlier, he had scored 128 runs against England at The Oval.

Merchant was one of the five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1937.Vijay Merchant is the oldest Indian player to score test century (154 at an age of 40 years 21 days from India vs England match in 1951-52).


His brother, Uday, also played first-class cricket.