CHENNAI: “The crowd applauded us for 15 minutes straight after the Test match ended. I still remember that moment,” CD Gopinath told TOI, recalling India’s historic first Test win at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Madras a few years back (then). It was 1952, India defeated England by an innings and eight runs in the fifth Test. Gopinath scored a brilliant 35 runs, one of the many heroes of this historic game. Wino Mankad (12 wickets), Polly Umarigar (130) and Panke Roy (111).At the age of 96, the last surviving member of the team, he died in his sleep here on Thursday.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!“Gopi was a beautiful looking batsman, a very natural player, and a smart captain. He also took wickets from time to time. But what always stood out was his genius,” V Ramnarine, former Hyderabad off-spinner and a renowned cricket historian, who co-authored Gopinath’s biography ‘Beyond Cricket – A Life in Many Worlds’, told TOI.Gopinath played eight Test matches between 1951-60. But it was not without its share of controversy. “In Gopi’s own words, during the 1952 Test series in England, he was insulted by captain Vijay Hazare. He felt he was being targeted because he was a South Indian and chose not to go to the next West Indies series,” said Ramnarine.Gopinath’s contribution to Tamil Nadu cricket was also immense. He was part of the Madras team that won their first ever victory. Ranji Trophy title in 1954-55. Ramnarine added, “In the final, against a strong Holkar team that featured Mushtaq Ali, he scored 133 in the first innings and had to captain till the business end of the game.”Along with cricket, Gopinath had other interests, one of which was hunting. In 1955-56, Gopi took the New Zealand team on a hunting expedition. “On his return, he came late and returned on the morning of the match against South Zone. But Gopi scored 175 in that game,” added the historian.Gopinath played his last Test at the Eden Gardens in 1960 and did not extend his first-class career too long. In 1962, at the age of 32, he retired from cricket as he was employed in a responsible position with a British firm, Gordon Woodruff. “His life was beyond cricket, he was a great tennis player, his wife Komla was his mixed doubles partner. He won many tournaments in those days,” Ramnarine said.Gopinath had a sharp mind, loved to play bridge, kept abreast of the current Indian team, and never shied away from talking about cricket. “For us, it was pure passion. We got only Rs 250 as ‘smoke money’ per Test and always traveled by train. We didn’t stay in hotels. Even foreign players shared accommodation as ‘house guests’. But I have no regrets,” ‘Gopi’ had told TOI, moments ago, the smile never leaving his face.
