Today is 2nd October and on this day, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who is called the father of India, is celebrated. Generally, the name of Mahatma Gandhi is associated with the independence of the country. However, it has had a huge impact on Indian cricket and has led to a major revolution. It was because of ‘Bapu’ who taught the lesson of non-violence that the Ranji Trophy became India’s biggest domestic tournament. You will be surprised to know these things but this is the truth. Let’s find out about this interesting connection between India’s freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi and cricket.
How did revolution happen because of Mahatma Gandhi?
Cricket and Mahatma Gandhi have had a huge impact on India. Both have influenced the country in their own way, creating a distinct identity for India in the world. If we talk about Mahatma Gandhi playing cricket, he used to play it a lot in his childhood. However, the latter had nothing to do with him. Instead, he was one of cricket’s greatest critics. However, it led to a major revolution in Indian cricket.
In fact, the problem of casteism and untouchability was at its peak in the country before independence. Cricket was also not immune to this. Indian cricketer Palvankar Balu was a very brilliant spinner. He was also part of the first Indian team to tour England in 1911. Despite this, he faced discrimination throughout his career. He did not get a chance to play club cricket either. The Hindu Gymkhana Cricket Club did not give him the captaincy once in the Bombay tournament.
Then, influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s fight against untouchability, Palvankar Balu started protesting with his brothers for their rights. After Palavankar’s performance, he was made first vice-captain. He then got the captaincy for one match in the 1923 edition. Seeing this revolution in cricket, many other players grew in confidence and started fighting racism and demanding their rights. However, Mahatma Gandhi never saw Palvankar Balu and his brothers play.
An open road to the Ranji Trophy
Mahatma Gandhi was one of the greatest critics of cricket. According to him, playing this game provides exercise but does not increase the intelligence of the players. Therefore, in his eyes such a game had no meaning. Apart from this, he also opposed it because of the discrimination involved. Mahatma Gandhi had a direct influence on cricket in the 1940s. He believed that mourning should be done instead of playing during world wars.
Therefore, he protested against the Indian team’s tour of England due to discrimination in India’s biggest and most famous Bombay tournament. His tour of England was canceled and the Bombay tournament ended forever. As soon as the Bombay tournament ended, the way was opened for the Ranji Trophy which started in 1934. Gradually it became the biggest domestic cricket in the country.
