M.J. Gopalan
MJ Gopalan and Shute Banerjee figured in the trial match when they represented Maharaja of Patiala’s XI vs Nawab of Pataudi’s XII at the Baradari ground, Patiala in Jan 1932. It was a first-class match and Banerjee’s debut. He turned out for Hindus, Bengal and Bihar and went to Madhya Pradesh in his last season and played alongside Hiralal Gaekwad. Bal Dani was the youngest of this lot but equally popular with his contemporaries for his jovial nature.
Gopalan was a double international. He was good at cricket and equally adept at hockey. He toured New Zealand with the Indian hockey team in 1934-35. The next year, he was at his best against Australia led by Jack Ryder. Gopalan, an accurate medium-pacer, claimed six for 23 and five for 62 for Madras at the Chepauk. His victims included Stork Hendry and Charles Macartney and Frank Tarrant, the last named playing 329 first-class matches but not a Test. The privilege of bowling the first ball (to N. Curtis of Mysore) in Ranji Trophy (started in November 1934) went to Gopalan.
His Test debut, at 25, had come against Douglas Jardine-led England in January 1934 at Calcutta. His lone victim was James Langridge as he distinguished himself in the company of Mohammad Nissar and Amar Singh. By opting to go to England instead of earning hockey glory at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Gopalan may have made a strange decision. India was sure to win the hockey gold and it did but Gopalan reportedly had little regrets. He died at 94 in 2003. The MJ Gopalan Trophy was launched between Madras (now Tamil Nadu) and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1952-53 with the last annual contest played in 2007-08.
Shute Banerjee
Next, in terms of age, was Banerjee, a fast bowler who could also bat a bit. His Test debut came in 1949 against the West Indies at the age of 38 after having toured England twice in 1936 and 1946. He did well claiming 1/73 and 4/54 at Bombay but was never picked again before he decided to quit in December 1959. Prior to his Test debut, Banerjee had produced a sensational spell at Allahabad in scripting East Zone’s 10-wicket victory over the West Indians, who were asked to follow on after his 7 for 67, his wickets included George Carew, Jeff Stollmeyer, Clyde Walcott, John Goddard and Gerry Gomez. Beginning his career with Hindus, Banerjee chose Madhya Pradesh for his farewell season. He shares a batting distinction with Chandu Sarwate of adding 249 runs for the last wicket for the Indians against Surrey at The Oval in 1946. Sarwate remained unbeaten on 124 and Banerjee contributed 121. It remains a unique feat where No 10 and No 11 have hit centuries in a first-class match. His career, spanning 29 years, is a tribute to his endurance and commitment. He passed away at 69 in 1980.
Hiralal Gaekwad
Hiralal Gaekwad was said to be a very competitive cricketer, known to fight till the last ball. The Hindus v Muslim competitions, turning out for Central Province and Berar, Holkar, Madhya Bharat and Madhya Pradesh helped this left-armer become a fierce professional. He played alongside Shute Banerjee and Vinoo Mankad in the Berar Quadrangular in 1941. Ironically, he played his only Test at the cost of Mankad. His mentor was CK Nayudu, who brought him to Holkar as the main stock bowler. According to Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Sanjay Jagdale, “He was a simple man, always ready to give his best. He was a champion on matting, many times unplayable. He was also a hard-hitting batsman. “His lone Test came against Pakistan at Lucknow in October 1952 when Fazal Mahmood (5/52 and 7/42) bowled Pakistan to an innings victory. Gaekwad aggregated 22 runs in the two innings he batted and went wicketless in his spell of 37-21-47-0. He continued playing for nine more years and passed away at 79 in 2003 at Bagdogra in Assam.
Bal Dani
He had a towering presence in domestic cricket and Dani commanded respect with some sterling individual brilliance. A competent middle order batsman, he could use the new ball to great effect and then bowl off-spin too. He was considered a fine reader of the game. First-class debut at 15, for Maharashtra against Baroda in 1951, was in keeping with his talent. Job opportunity took him to Services in 1955 where he made solid gains as a cricketer of repute. “I remember him as a chubby cricketer. He could swing the ball well and was tough to beat in the middle order. A typical old school batsman who made you earn his wicket. He really relished staying at the wicket,” said Test all-rounder Madan Lal. That Dani was not a burden for Services was evident from his aggregate of 528 runs in five matches in his farewell season. Dani, who also served as a National selector, was 66 when he passed away in 1999.
A rich haul MJ Gopalan played 1 Test (18 runs, took 1 wicket); 78 First Class Matches (2916 runs, 11242 balls, 194 wickets at 24.20, Best 7/57); Career span: 1926-27 to 1951-52.
Shute Banerjee played 1 Test (took 5 wickets); 138 First Class Matches (3715 runs, 18839 balls, 385 wickets at 26.68, Best 8/25); Career span: 1931-32 to 1959-60.
Hiralal Gaekwad played 1 Test (22 runs); 101 First Class Matches (26006 balls, 375 wickets at 23.62, Best 7/67); Career span: 1941-42 to 1963-64.
Bal Dani played 1 Test(60 balls, 1 wicket); 116 First Class Matches (6476 runs, 17 centuries, 34 fifties, 12207 balls, 200 wickets at 21.90, Best 7/50); Career span: 1951-52 to 1972-73.
