Tough Moments

1962, Bridgetown. India vs. Barbados (Tour game in the West Indies)

Nari Contractor is hit on the head by a Charlie Griffith bouncer.

One of the tragic figures of Indian cricket, Contractor's promising career was cruelly cut short when he was struck on the skull by a short delivery from Charlie Griffith in the Indian tourists' colony game against Barbados in 1962.

His life was in danger for some time and he needed several emergency operations to take him off the danger list. Almost two years later, the left-handed opening batsman was back, playing first class cricket.

Unfortunately, helmets were invented only in 1977.

Also see:
Anil Kumble's 6 for 12
Kapil Dev's four consecutive sixes to save the follow-on