Who is the first cricketer of india
Cricket, a popular sport in India, has been played in the country for over two centuries. The birth of cricket in India can be traced back to the late 18th century when it was introduced by British sailors at Cambay. With its growing popularity, many local clubs and unions were formed such as Calcutta Cricket Club, Parsees Oriental Cricket Club among others.
The First Indian Cricketer: Palwankar Baloo
Indian cricket’s foundation cannot be recounted without remembering Palwankar Baloo. Born into an untouchable caste during British rule in India, he defied societal norms and made his way into cricketing history as the first prominent Indian cricketer.
Baloo is believed to have been born around 1875 or 1876 in Dharwad, Karnataka. He came from an extremely modest background – his father moved from place to place working as a groundsman at various gymkhanas to sustain the family. It was this humble beginning that led him to the world of sports specifically cricket.
Road to Becoming a Cricketer
Working as groundsmen and ball boys at Poona Club, young Baloo along with his brothers would often get an opportunity to play on matting wickets after games, using equipment discarded by army officers. This exposure aided them in honing their skills despite the lack of formal training.
In time, Baloo’s novel left-arm spin bowling started gaining him attention from influential figures within the Poona Club where he began playing regular matches representing club teams. His determination fueled performance which allowed other talented players from lower castes especially his brothers Shivram and Ganpat – even encountering success at Bombay Presidency Matches – paving way for inter-caste fixtures breaking pre-established notions.
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A Revolutionary Player
Palwankar Baloo didn’t just gratify cricket’s statistical columns. His journey turned into an encouraging account for social reformers who battled caste discrimination in India during the early 20th century. In times when untouchability was rampant and freedom was a far-fetched thought, Baloo continued to break stereotypes.
Post Independence Cricketers
Soon after gaining independence from British rule, India registered itself with International Cricket Council (ICC) making Lala Amarnath as independent India’s first Test cricketer. This Punjabi right-handed batsman contributed immensely to Indian cricket both as a player and a selector.
The year 1933 saw him being selected for Bombay Presidency Team which marked his initial major-phase performance followed by further developments that earned him a spot in England tour of 1936, organized by Maharaja of Patiala. On December 15, 1933 at Bombay Gymkhana, he became the only Asian cricketer to score first century on debut – initiating an era of independent Indian cricket.
The Centurion: Vijay Merchant
Another unforgettable name in Indian cricket history is Vijay Merchant known affectionately as ‘India’s Bradman’. He made his test debut against England in 1933 scoring his maiden century at Old Trafford five years later; however, it was post-war period where he truly came to fore – averaging staggering 71.64 runs over ten tests setting precedent for future generation players like Sachin Tendulkar or Sunil Gavaskar(et al).
Cricket has evolved significantly since its inception in India still what stays constant are robust contributions made by individuals such as Palwankar Baloo, Lala Amarnath or Vijay Merchant against all odds breaking barriers through immense passion asserting their rightful place in cricketing history – inspiring millions till date.
