Sportskeeda's Top 50 Indian Test cricketers of all-time (30-21)

#28 Polly Umrigar

Polly Umrigar was the bulwark of India's batting lineup during the 1950s

It might be an understatement to insist that Polly Umrigar was a man whose game touched multiple facets. Apart from being the most complete batsman in his lineup, he was also a serviceable bowler capable of drifting from sharp spin to sizzling swing. Adding his towering leadership as well as unwavering slip catching to the equation, the Sholapur-born cricketer was the nerve center of Indian cricket during a barren run in the 1950s.

If his double century against New Zealand in Hyderabad was the first by any batsman from his country, Umrigar also had a hand in India's maiden Test triumph against Australia. His four-wicket haul on a wearing track included the decisive scalps of Neil Harvey and Norman O'Neill. After a successful captaincy stint which comprised of two wins and as many losses, he had the fortitude to relinquish the post amidst a spat with the selectors. Following his death in 2006, the BCCI introduced an award in his honour for the outstanding cricketer of each season.

Career Span: 1948-1962

Statistics: 3631 runs from 59 matches at an average of 42.22 with 12 centuries and 14 fifties