Tribute to C.D. Gopinath: A Legend of Indian Cricket Passes Away
A Farewell to a Cricketing Pioneer
India's cricketing community mourns the loss of C.D. Gopinath, the oldest Test cricketer in the country, who passed away at the age of 96. His death marks the end of an era, as he was part of India's inaugural Test-winning team that triumphed over England in 1952, securing victory by an innings and 8 runs in Chennai. Gopinath's passing signifies the loss of one of the last remaining voices from that historic dressing room. He was the second-oldest living cricketer globally, following Australia's 97-year-old Neil Harvey.
Survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren, Gopinath's legacy continues through his family. Following his death, Chandrakant Patankar, aged 95, now holds the title of India's oldest living Test cricketer. Even in his eighties, Gopinath fondly reminisced about India's first Test win, often sharing his experiences with humor. He once remarked, "See! That's the benefit of a long life. You can keep adding and rewriting the story. Everyone will give me age benefit, but you know, the benefit of the doubt always goes to the batsman, doesn't it?"
His international career, though brief, was impactful. Gopinath played eight Test matches, scoring 242 runs, including a notable half-century. He made his debut against England in 1951 at Brabourne Stadium, where he scored 50 and 42 runs. However, his performance suffered during a challenging tour of England the following year. In domestic cricket, Gopinath made a significant mark, representing Madras and often captaining the team, accumulating 4,259 runs at an average of 42 across 83 matches, with nine centuries to his name. One of his standout performances was a score of 175 for South Zone in New Zealand against a formidable lineup featuring Bert Sutcliffe and John Reid.
Gopinath cherished memories of that innings, particularly the respect shown by his opponents after the match. He remained actively involved in Indian cricket post-retirement, serving as the manager of the Indian team during the 1979 tour of England, which included Sunil Gavaskar's remarkable 221 at The Oval in a chase of 438 runs. He also held the position of chief selector.
Even in his later years, Gopinath maintained a deep connection to cricket, avidly following the Indian Premier League and current matches. He expressed admiration for MS Dhoni and had a special affinity for the Chennai Super Kings. "Everything changes with the team, cricket is no exception," he stated. "I pick CSK mainly because of MSD, not just for his cricketing intellect but for his demeanor on the field. He doesn’t show off or make inappropriate gestures, which I find uncomfortable to watch."
Gopinath's cricketing journey transcended mere statistics. He embodied the spirit of a bygone era, filled with clarity, warmth, and immense pride, serving as a vital link to the formative years of Indian cricket.