Tamil Nadu’s Iyengars of Cricket(Author’s Note: As an Iyengar I am proud to write about Iyengar cricketers who have made a mark in this prince of games. This brief article is in no way intended to downsize others who have represented Madras/Tamil Nadu and India with distinction.) The first name that comes to mind is of M.J. Gopalan. In his early days, this medium-fast swing bowler of distinction sported a tuft – kudumi, as it’s called. Often, this tuft would get untied and when Gopalan tied it up again into a neat bundle and went on to bowl, some of his ardent fans predicted that it was a signal that a wicket would fall! Gopalan was a popular figure, especially in the Presidency cricket matches in which the Indians were pitted against the Europeans, The matches were played during Pongal and were played in a festive atmosphere. Gopalan was included in the team that toured England in 1936. He was also a skilled hockey player – a double International. You can’t talk of Gopalan without mentioning another name – C.R. Rangachari both of them being from Triplicane Cricket Club. A jolly person, this speed merchant represented India on its first Australian tour and had bowled against the great Donald Bradman and other worthies. I remember reading a sports report (by A.L. Hassett, if my memory serves me right) that Rangachari missed Bradman’s off-stump by the ‘proverbial varnish’ – a metaphor that had stuck to my mind. He played for Madras State in the Ranji Trophy and the Delhi cricket authorities still have on display a stump broken into two with a Rangachari whizzer in an international match. Other names that come to mind are M.O.Parthasarathy and S.V.T.Chari, both wicket keepers. Then there is Venkataraghavan, the great off-spinner. His jaw-breaking name was too much of a mouthful for an English commentator who called him ‘Ventacaravan’! He captained the Indian team and was a part of the famous Indian spin quartet (the others were Prasanna, Chandrasekhar and Bedi). He went on to become a highly regarded cricket umpire. Another spin bowler of merit was A.K. Sarangapani. The jaunty cricketer of Madras, K. Srikkanth was a dashing batsman who saw the ‘red’ ball as a red rag, meant to be ‘attacked’ mercilessly. He has played a notable part in Indian cricket and was made Captain of the team that went to Pakistan. His dashing forays and devil-may-care attitude were greatly admired. He is now a cricket administrator, being the Chairman of the Selection Committee. Then there is Sadagopan Ramesh who showed much promise, but was sidelined because of injuries. (Courtesy: Straight Bat.) – Vengrai Parthasarathy |