A gifted cricketer and hockey participant, Gopalan discovered himself dealing with a unprecedented alternative in 1936: pursue a spot within the Indian hockey group for the Berlin Olympics underneath legendary captain Dhyan Chand, or journey to England with the Indian cricket facet.
He selected cricket, following his larger ardour. However what adopted made the choice one of the vital fascinating “what if” moments in Indian sport. The Indian hockey group went on to win Olympic gold in Berlin, whereas Gopalan, regardless of being a part of the cricket tour he had chosen, didn’t get a possibility to play a Check in England.
Gopalan was a real double worldwide, representing India in each cricket and hockey. Born in Morappakam and raised in Triplicane, Chennai, he emerged as a fast-medium bowler able to shifting the ball each methods and have become one of many main figures in Madras cricket. His cricketing expertise was noticed by CP Johnstone, one of many founding figures of Madras cricket, and Gopalan quickly made his mark in native cricket. His first-class profession ultimately introduced him 194 wickets and a pair of,916 runs in 78 matches, making him much more profitable at that stage than his modest worldwide report would recommend.
Cricket over Berlin Olympics with Dhyan Chand
Gopalan's hockey profession was additionally vital. He performed as a centre-half and, in 1935, toured New Zealand with the Indian hockey facet, which loved appreciable success. That have put him firmly within the reckoning for the 1936 Olympic squad. However when the chance got here to compete for a spot within the hockey group for the Berlin Video games, Gopalan selected to not pursue the Olympic route. As an alternative, he accepted his place on the cricket tour of England.
It was a choice that regarded very completely different as soon as the Berlin Olympics had been over. India, led by Dhyan Chand, produced one of the vital dominant campaigns in Olympic hockey historical past and gained the gold medal after defeating Germany 8-1 within the last.
Gopalan, who had been confronted with the potential for being a part of that historic facet, was as a substitute in England with the cricket group. The irony grew to become even larger as a result of his alternatives on the cricket tour had been restricted. With Mohammad Nissar and Amar Singh forward of him, Gopalan was not anticipated to play a significant position, and he finally didn’t play a Check in England.
Only one Check for India
Gopalan had already made his Check debut earlier than the 1936 tour, taking part in his solely Check for India in opposition to England at Calcutta within the 1933-34 season. He took one wicket and scored 18 runs. Regardless of his repute in home cricket, that remained his solely look at Check stage.
His first-class report, nevertheless, mirrored the standard of the cricketer he was. Gopalan took 194 wickets and scored 2,916 runs in 78 matches, whereas his batting improved considerably as his profession progressed. He additionally captained Madras for a number of years and remained one of the vital influential figures within the metropolis's cricketing circles for round 25 years.
However maybe probably the most exceptional chapter of Gopalan's cricket profession got here not in Check cricket, however on the very starting of India's premier home competitors.
He bowled the primary ball in Ranji Trophy historical past
When the Ranji Trophy was inaugurated in 1934, Madras and Mysore performed the competitors's first-ever match. Gopalan was given the honour of bowling the primary supply in Ranji Trophy historical past.
That second ensured that, whatever the brevity of his Check profession, his identify would stay completely linked to one of the vital essential competitions in Indian cricket. The Ranji Trophy would grow to be the nation's premier first-class event and an important pathway for generations of Indian cricketers.
Gopalan's legacy in Madras cricket continued properly past his taking part in profession. He later served as a nationwide selector within the Fifties and remained a revered determine in Indian cricket. In 1952, a silver jubilee fund was began to mark his 25 years in cricket and hockey, whereas the annual contest between Madras and Ceylon was named the MJ Gopalan Trophy. The competitors continued for many years, underlining the esteem by which he was held.
A gate at Chepauk carries his identify
Gopalan's reference to Chennai cricket was ultimately honoured on the metropolis's iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium. One of many entrances on the well-known Chepauk stadium is known as after him, making certain that his identify stays a part of the bodily panorama of Indian cricket.
His profession due to this fact presents a exceptional contradiction. He was ok to signify India in two sports activities and was thought-about for an Olympic hockey group captained by Dhyan Chand, but his cricket profession on the highest worldwide stage consisted of just one Check. The England tour that he selected over the Berlin Olympics didn’t give him the alternatives he may need anticipated, whereas the hockey group he left behind returned from Germany as Olympic champions.
But Gopalan's alternative mustn’t merely be seen as a mistake. Cricket was his ardour, and in 1936 he selected the game he cherished. What makes the choice so compelling is the good thing about hindsight. Had he pursued hockey and made the Olympic squad, he might have been a part of Dhyan Chand's gold-medal-winning group and one of the vital celebrated sporting teams in India's historical past.
As an alternative, he grew to become a part of a special type of historical past.
He selected cricket over an opportunity at Olympic gold with Dhyan Chand, performed just one Check for India, however bowled the primary ball in Ranji Trophy historical past. His identify lives on at Chepauk, his first-class report stays spectacular, and his story continues to face as one in every of Indian sport's nice unanswered “what ifs”.
Gopalan died in December 2003 after an extended life in Indian sport. On the time of his demise, he was thought to be the oldest surviving Check cricketer.