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Cricket
A brilliant all-rounder, who bowled fast-medium pace, and an illustrious centre half in hockey, Morapakkam Josyam Gopalan, was born in a family of astrologers in Maduranthakam district (Chengalput) on June 6, 1909 (family members say it was 1906). He studied at the Kellet High School after his family settled down in Triplicane. Financial difficulties prevented the young Gopalan the luxury of college education. His sporting excellence, however, impressed two British officers, Mr. Stanthrofe and Mr. C.P. Johnstone of Burmah-Shell and they helped him get a job in the multi-national company. Spotted by the first sportswriter of The Hindu, Mr. Murugesa Mudaliar, and by B. Subaramaniam, who introduced him to the Emmanuel Club in the city league, Gopalan, supremely fit and athletic, became an icon of local cricket and hockey. He was the hero of Triplicane Cricket Club in many of its league ties, especially against the equally famous Mylapore RC. He represented TCC with remarkable distinction for over 30 years. In hockey, he figured for YMIA initially and became the sheet-anchor of the Madras United Club. Gopalan's baptism in first class cricket came in 1927 for the Indians in the Presidency match against the Europeans and lasted for over a quarter of a century. Oldtimers still recall the beauty of his late outswinger that castled the great Jack Hobbs. Having the unique distinction of bowling the first ball in the Ranji Trophy in 1934 against Mysore, Gopalan's Test debut came in the same year at Calcutta against the Douglas Jardine led England. Along with cricket, Gopalan also displayed extraordinary proficiency in hockey and won many admirers, including the wizard Dhyan Chand. After a successful tour of New Zealand with the Indian hockey team in 1935, Gopalan faced a dilemma when called to assist India in the Berlin Olymics, 1936. A passionate devotee of cricket that he was, he chose to tour England under the Maharajkumar of Vizianagaram but was not considered for a Test place. After a splendid first class career - he scored 2916 runs at an average of 24.92 and captured 194 wickets - Gopalan, served the Board of Control for Cricket in India as a selector. He was the chairman of the State Selection Committee and a vice-president of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. A widower since 1981, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1964. When the news spread, a large number of his friends and admirers gathered at his residence to pay homage. Mr. N. Srinivasan, president, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, placed a wreath on behalf of the cricketing community. "It is an end of an era. He has left an indelible mark on the city's cricket. The TNCA honoured him by naming the trophy for the annual match against Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and also the main gate of the MAC Stadium after this great cricketer," Mr. Srinivasan said.
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