Nari Contractor back home after skull surgery

Nari Contractor on Sunday returned home, much to the relief of his family, after being discharged from the hospital, where he successfully underwent a major operation to remove the titanium plate that was inserted in his skull 60 years ago following an injury during the 1961-62 tour of the West Indies. The plate, which was inserted after Contractor suffered a life-threatening injury on his head when he was hit by a bouncer by West Indies pacer Charlie Griffith during a tour match against Barbados at Bridgetown during India’s 1961-62 tour of the Caribbean, was removed in an operation at the Reliance Foundation Hospital on Wednesday.

“Yes, he’s back home. Of course, we’re all happy and excited to have him back home,” Hoshedar Contractor, Nari’s son, told TOI on Sunday.

Hoshedar had earlier revealed that the plate was finally removed because the skin was growing on it and would have caused problems to the 88-year-old Nari. The former India captain was struck on the back of his head when he opened the innings with Dilip Sardesai.

The titanium plate, which prevented any further damage to his skull and brain, was inserted in his head by neurosurgeon Dr Chandy during an operation at Vellore, Tamil Nadu so that Contractor could resume his cricket. Though his international career ended prematurely after that injury, Contractor did play First-Class cricket and later on became a coach at the Cricket Club of India Academy in Mumbai.