During 1930’s and 40’s, India arguably possessed the best cricketing talents in the world. These men, some Prince and Maharajas, while other from an ordinary background, impressed the English royals and other cricketing nations with their ability to learn and dominate the art of cricket.
The counties were the place to gain greater respect. The influential, who went to Britain for education had the opportunity to play for the local clubs, whereas, the ones back home always loved challenging the might of the visiting counties apart from flexing muscles in the Ranji Trophy and Quadrangular series. Overall, India was fluxed by the cricketing culture immensely and the game was flourishing.
Back then, domestic cricket was very different from what it is nowadays. The prominent teams which competed against each other for domestic supremacy were – Northwest Frontier Province, Western India, Southern Punjab, Sind, Northern India, Central Province & Berar, Hindus, Bombay, Holkars.
Of these teams, barring the Central Province, Bombay, Holkar and Western India, all others had roots to the present day Pakistan. Therefore, when the bitter partition took place, India lost many of its talented cricketers who later went on to play in Pakistan after settling with the new born country (No Indian from the pre-partition era represented any other country except Pakistan).