[1] The Madras Cricket Club (MCC), established in 1846, was their exclusive preserve and Babu's interest in the game grew watching them play at Chepauk.

[10][8] From his sprawling bungalow Luz House, located in Mylapore, he worked on his game.

[4] It was very popular before the introduction of Test cricket and became the Presidency's biggest fixture until the Ranji Trophy competition was started in the 1930s.

Buchi Babu's three sons – Venkataramanujulu (Bhatt), M. Baliah Naidu and Cotah Ramaswami also played in the early Presidency matches.

Its profile got a big lift in the late 1960s when it was converted to an invitational tournament, with outstation stars coming in and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association taking control of its organisation.

[4] Cricket in Madras till Buchi Babu Naidu changed the scenario was an Englishman's game.

A few Indians tried to imitate what they got a glimpse of watching from the outfield of the Madras Cricket Club's hallowed ground at Chepauk, but the real players were the British colonialists till Buchi Babu came along and offered them an Indian challenge.