Name:

Ramaswami, Cota

Nickname:

Cotah

Date of Birth:

18 Jun 1896

Gender:

Men

Career:

Test: 1936 - 1936

Teams:

India (Country)

1936: India starts tour of England

Cota Ramaswami: Dual international who disappeared

Cota Ramaswami (born 18 June 1896, Madras – disappeared 1985) was one of India’s earliest dual internationals, representing the country in both cricket and tennis. A graceful left-handed batsman and right-arm medium bowler, he was admired for his fluent stroke play and impeccable timing.

Ramaswami came from one of the leading sports families in India. He was the youngest son of Buchi Babu Naidu, often considered the father of South Indian cricket. His two brothers, son and four nephews all played first class cricket.

He made his Test debut for India in 1936 on the tour of England at the age of nearly 40, playing two matches and scoring 56 and 40 on debut at Lord’s.

In first-class cricket, Ramaswami was a prolific run-scorer for Madras and South Zone, compiling 2,547 runs at an impressive average of 53.06, including five centuries and a highest score of 128 not out. He was instrumental in promoting cricket in southern India and remained active in the sport as a mentor and administrator long after his playing days. Beyond cricket, he was also an accomplished tennis player, having represented India in the Davis Cup and competed at Wimbledon in the 1920s.

Educated at Madras Christian College and Cambridge University, Ramaswami went on to a distinguished career as a civil servant. In later years, however, he suffered from memory loss and disappeared mysteriously in 1985, never to be found. His life remains one of Indian sport’s most fascinating stories — a blend of elegance, achievement, and enduring mystery.