Nariman Jamshedji Contractor, also known as "Nari" a left hand opening batsman, was the captain of the Indian team in the early 60s, but a near fatal injury brought down the curtains on his international once and for all.

Contractor had a sensational start to his domestic career scoring a hundred in each innings on debut. In the process, he became on the second cricketer after Arthur Morris to achieve the feat. But when he stepped on to the big stage, he had his fair share injury problems. In fact, he once batted with two broken ribs against England at Lords in 1959 and still managed to score a brave 81.

He was also involved in one of the most freakish dismissals of all time. During a Test against Australia, Contractor was batting on 74 when he pulled Alan Davidson, bowling left arm spin. The short leg, Neil Harvey duck to avoid being hit but the ball somehow got stuck between his legs. Speaking of Contractor the captain, he captained India to a series win against England in 1961-62.

During the same season, India toured West Indies when a bouncer from West Indies pace-man Charlie Griffith felled Contactor and he never played international cricket again. Contractor was hit at the back of his skull and was in danger of losing his life for several hours but managed to survive. Frank Worrell, the then West Indies skipper, donated blood to try and save Contractor`s life. After fighting the injury for 2 years, he came back to playing field and made a come back into the first class circuit. He did his best to stage a comeback into the international cricket, but did not quite make it.

Nari Contractor shot to fame after scoring a 92 against West at home in 1958-59. Afterwards in the tour of England he attracted eye balls as well. He was appointed the captain of Indian Team in the year 1960-61, against Pakistan, at the age of 26, the youngest Indian captain ever. The very next year, India won a historic Test series against England. At the peak of his career, both as a player and captain, he met with a fatal blow.