Former India captain Nari Contractor was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award (Male) on the Sportstar Aces Awards 2026 in Mumbai on Friday, recognising a profession outlined by ability, management and memorable resilience.
Nariman Jamshedji “Nari” Contractor was one in every of India’s most completed opening batters of the Nineteen Fifties and early Nineteen Sixties. A trendy left-hander identified for his sound approach, he made his Test debut in 1955 and went on to play 31 Tests for India, scoring 1,611 runs at a median of 31.58, together with a century and eleven half-centuries, with a highest rating of 108.
Contractor turned India’s youngest captain on the time of his appointment in 1961, aged 26. Under his management, India registered a historic sequence victory over England in 1961–62.
His worldwide profession, nonetheless, was tragically lower brief throughout India’s tour of the West Indies in 1962 when he suffered a fractured cranium after being struck by a bouncer from quick bowler Charlie Griffith. Contractor survived after present process a number of surgical procedures and blood transfusions, together with one from West Indies captain Frank Worrell.
Demonstrating outstanding braveness, he returned to home cricket and loved a profitable First-Class profession, scoring 8,611 runs in 138 matches at a median near 40 with 22 centuries.
In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian cricket, Contractor was additionally awarded the C. Ok. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. He stays one of the revered figures within the historical past of the sport in India.
The 2026 Sportstar Aces Awards are introduced by Amul, co-presented by Casagrand in affiliation with SRM Institute of Science and Technology. SBI, Christ University, Bharat Petroleum, LIC, Sports Authority of Telangana, NTPC, Indian Softball Cricket Foundation, Jaquar And Company Private Limited are affiliate companions. Reva University is the schooling associate. Blue Star is the cooling associate whereas Times Now is the telecast associate.
Published on Mar 13, 2026
