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Vol. XXVI No. 14, November 1-15, 2016
The Madras best from 82 years
by Partab Ramchand
November 4th marks the 82nd anniversary of the first-ever Ranji Trophy match to be played. It was at Chepauk that the historic game was played between Madras and Mysore and the action-packed game played on a rain-affected pitch ended in a single day – November 4, 1934 – with Madras winning by an innings and 23 runs. Recalling the occasion, it might be apt to come up with the best ever Madras team. At least two of the players who figured in that inaugural game would be a shoo-in for an-all time State team but I don’t mind admitting that I had a tough time arriving at the final eleven as there were many contenders for the several places and it was with a very heavy heart I had to omit a few.
The innings would be opened by Kris Srikkanth and Dinesh Kartik. There can be few doubts about the former’s choice, while the latter who has opened with some success for the country also straightaway solves the problem of the wicketkeeper. Both have also done more than their bit for the State in the Ranji Trophy. I sadly had to omit Murali Vijay.
The middle order will be manned by A.G. Milkha Singh, C.D. Gopinath and A.G. Kripal Singh, three stalwarts who provided style and substance through the 1950s and 60s. All three played with moderate results for India, though Kripal remains the only batsman from the State to score a century on Test debut. But their deeds for the State are outstanding, particularly considering the fact that batting was a difficult art on the kind of pitches prevalent in those days and the duration of matches was largely confined to three days.
As many as four all rounders follow next in the batting order, underlining the fact that Tamil Nadu has been fortunate in this respect over the years. Robin Singh, A.G. Ram Singh, Ravi Ashwin and M.J. Gopalan will take over the utility roles bringing substance and versatility to the side. Robin’s utility value cannot be questioned and though he was considered a limited overs expert for the country, his first class record is commendable. Ram Singh and Gopalan are legends from that memorable first Ranji match and nothing more need be said, while Ashwin has already done enough to warrant a place.
The last two places were of course the easiest. The bowling feats of both S. Venkatraghavan and V.V. Kumar are too well known to need any elaboration. A bowling line-up of two off spinners, a leg spinner and a left arm spinner in Ram Singh constitutes an embarrassment of riches for any captain and Venkat who will lead the side will undoubtedly welcome it. The opening bowlers would be Gopalan and Robin Singh.
It was only after deciding on the playing eleven that I realised the abundant talent and ability that was available and which could form a formidable second team that would give the first team a run for its money. For openers take your pick from C.P. Johnstone, Sadagoppan Ramesh, Vijay, W.V. Raman and V. Sivaramakrishnan. The claimants for the middle order would constitute S. Sharath, Sridharan Sriram, C. Ramaswami, S. Badrinath and T.E. Srinivasan. For wicket-keeper take your pick from Bharath Reddy and P.K. Belliappa. There are ready pace bowlers in C.R. Rangachari and L. Balaji. And as for spinners, it would be the toughest choice for the candidates would include Sunil Subramaniam, L. Sivaramakrishnan, S. Vasudevan and M. Venkatramana.
Just makes you wonder that will all these players around how come Tamil Nadu has won the Ranji Trophy only twice in 82 years!
