MJ Gopalan:
Former cricketer MJ Gopalan, who has played in 78 first-class cricket, represented India in 1 Test match. He made his debut in Test for India in 1934 where he picked 1 wicket apart from scoring 18 runs in Kolkata. But after that match, he could not get a chance to play for India again.
Before making his Test debut, Gopalan was a good hockey player who played for India at the international level. He played in the centre half position in the hockey team.
In the 1936 Berlin Olympic, he was selected in India’s hockey team. Incidentally, the same year, he was also picked in India’s Test squad for England’s tour. But MJ decided to go with the cricket team but did not get a chance in the playing eleven in England.
#BirthAnniversary of a giant of Madras cricket, MJ Gopalan
Bowled the first ball in Ranji Trophy, captained Madras for many years, was a Test selector after retiring
Was a wizard at hockey too#DidYouKnow: For many years, Madras and Ceylon competed annually for the Gopalan Trophy pic.twitter.com/ogCELY5Llt— North Stand Gang – Wankhede (@NorthStandGang) June 6, 2020