Who was the first great Indian batsman?

So was Vijay Merchant the first great Indian batsman? It would certainly appear so, for Ranjitsinghji can't be included in the Indian list; he was a Englishman by heart, also played cricket for the empire. CK Nayudu? hmm? Well Ram Guha wonders on the same issue and throws up a name- Palwankar Vithal.

As an aside, Vithal was the younger brother of the great Chamaar cricketer Palwankar Baloo. Baloo came from an untouchable caste, who by his skill as a left-arm spinner- true predecessor of Bishen Singh Bedi- left lasting influence beyond the boundary as well. Baloo was one of the early heroes of BR Ambedkar,the great dalit leader for whom Baloo brokered the Poona pact with Gandhi! Its a fascinating tale (I will go into it someday).