Mumbai, March 29 -- "Mr. Cricket is the first phrase that comes to mind", said Dilip Vengsarkar. "He knew everything about the game. He had an answer for everything." It remains a tidy way of describing Polly Umrigar, a man who donned multiple caps: captain, administrator, selector, manager and curator. On his 100th birth anniversary on Saturday, a commemorative plaque was unveiled by former BCCI and ICC president Sharad Pawar at the MCA Museum at Wankhede Stadium. Fondly called "Polly kaka", he was the country's premier batter in the 1950s and early 60s at a time when Indian batting, particularly overseas, was still finding its feet. By the time he retired, he held the country's records of most matches, runs and centuries until Sunil Gavaskar surpassed them in 1978. He was the first Indian to score a double hundred and reach 3,000 Test runs. He also led Mumbai to three Ranji Trophy titles, and today the BCCI's annual Cricketer of the Year award bears his name. But numbers alone do not explain Umrigar. For that, one must return to his penultimate Test, in Port of Spain, 1962. India were struggling to hold their ground against a formidable West Indies side. Umrigar took five wickets in the first innings and then, fought brilliantly with the bat. At 30/5, he added 94 with Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. Asked to follow on, he built partnerships again - 93 with Bapu Nadkarni and 51 with Budhi Kunderan - finishing unbeaten on 172. But his heroics could not save India from defeat. That was Umrigar in essence. A silver lining in losing causes. "In those days he was considered as the mountain of Indian batting because to score 3,000 runs against the quickest bowlers of West Indies, Australia and England was a mammoth feat," said former Indian left-arm fast bowler Karsan Ghavri. The all-rounder from Mumbai cut an imposing figure, a burly six-footer, with broad shoulders and powerful forearms. Strong through the off-side, ferocious on the pull and hook, he was especially severe on spin. It earned him the moniker of the "Palm Tree Hitter." He was also an off-spinner and could even open the bowling, sending down outswingers. On the matting wicket of Bahawalpur in 1954 against Pakistan, he produced one of his finest spells, taking 6/74. "He was a utilitarian cricketer but what stood out was his kindness. He was a true gentleman and took so many youngsters under his wing and proved instrumental in their career, including mine", Ghavri said. He finished his career after at 53 Tests. He passed away at the age of 80 in 2006. His legacy though remains intact....