Archive · 18 Dec 2025
Bhausaheb Nimbalkar's 443: A Record Almost Made
In 1948, a cricket player named Bhausaheb Nimbalkar scored 443 runs in a match.
He was very close to breaking the world record of 452 runs held by Don Bradman.
But the other team, Kathiawar, didn't want him to break the record.
So, they packed up and left the match.
Nimbalkar was left standing alone on the field.
Even though he didn't break the record, his score is still the highest by an Indian player in first-class cricket.
Don Bradman himself congratulated Nimbalkar and said his innings was better than his own record.
Nimbalkar played many matches but never got to play in official Test cricket, even though he thought he was good enough.
He lived to be 92 years old and his story is remembered as a unique moment in cricket history.
Bhausaheb Nimbalkar scored 443 runs in a Ranji Trophy match against Kathiawar in December 1948.
He was just nine runs short of Don Bradman's world record of 452 runs.
The Kathiawar team left the match to prevent Nimbalkar from breaking the record.
Nimbalkar's score remains the highest first-class score by an Indian batsman.
Don Bradman congratulated Nimbalkar and ranked his innings above his own record.
- Who
- Bhausaheb Babasaheb Nimbalkar, an Indian cricketer
- What
- Scored 443 runs in a Ranji Trophy match, just nine runs short of Don Bradman's world record
- When
- December 1948
- Where
- Poona Club Ground, India
- Why
- The opposing team, Kathiawar, left the match to prevent Nimbalkar from breaking the record
- Player
- Bhausaheb Babasaheb Nimbalkar
- Score
- 443 runs
- Match
- Ranji Trophy
- Opponent
- Kathiawar
- Venue
- Poona Club Ground
- Date
- December 1948
- Record
- Highest first-class score by an Indian batsman
- Bradman's Record
- 452 runs