With Dhyan Chand, he chose cricket over Olympic hockey gold: MJ Gopalan played just 1 test and bowled the first ball of the Ranji Trophy

Few careers in Indian sporting history have the irony of MJ Gopalan.A gifted cricketer and hockey player, Gopalan was faced with an extraordinary choice in 1936: pursue a place in the Indian hockey team at the Berlin Olympics under legendary captain Dhyan Chand, or travel to England with Indian cricket.He chose cricket as his bigger passion. But what followed made the decision one of the most fascinating ‘what if’ moments in Indian sports. The Indian hockey team won Olympic gold in Berlin, while Gopalan, despite being part of the cricket tour of his choice, did not get an opportunity to play a Test in England.Gopalan was a true dual international, representing India in both cricket and hockey. Born in Morappakam and brought up in Triplicane, Chennai, he emerged as a fast and medium bowler capable of moving the ball both ways and became one of the leading figures in Madras cricket. His cricketing talent was noticed by CP Johnstone, one of the founders of Madras cricket, and Gopalan soon established himself in local cricket. His first-class career eventually brought him 194 wickets and 2,916 runs in 78 matches, making him far more successful at that level than his modest international record would suggest.

Dhyan Chand

Cricket through the Berlin Olympics with Dhyan Chand

Gopalan’s hockey career was also significant. He played as a centre-half and toured New Zealand with the Indian hockey side in 1935, which had considerable success. This experience placed him firmly in the reckoning for the 1936 Olympic team. But when the opportunity arose to compete for a spot on the ice hockey team at the Berlin Games, Gopalan decided not to follow the Olympic path. Instead, he accepted his place on the cricket tour of England.It was a decision that looked completely different after the Berlin Olympics. Led by Dhyan Chand, India produced one of the most dominant campaigns in Olympic hockey history and won the gold medal after beating Germany 8-1 in the final.Faced with the prospect of being a part of this historic side, Gopalan was instead in England with the cricket team. The irony became even greater as his opportunities on the cricket tour were limited. With Mohammad Nissar and Amar Singh ahead of him, Gopalan was not expected to play a major role and ended up not playing a Test in England.

Just one Test for India

Gopalan had already made his Test debut before the tour in 1936 when he played his only Test for India against England in Calcutta in the 1933-34 season. He took one wicket and scored 18 runs. Despite his reputation in domestic cricket, this remained his only appearance at Test level.However, his first-class record reflected the quality of cricketer he was. Gopalan took 194 wickets and scored 2,916 runs in 78 matches, while his batting improved significantly as his career progressed. He also captained Madras for several years and remained one of the most influential figures in the city’s cricket circles for around 25 years.But perhaps the most remarkable chapter of Gopalan’s cricketing career came not in Test cricket, but at the very start of India’s premier domestic competition.

He bowled the first ball in Ranji Trophy history

When the Ranji Trophy was inaugurated in 1934, Madras and Mysore played the first ever match of the competition. Gopalan got the honor of bowling first in Ranji Trophy history.That moment ensured that, regardless of the brevity of his Test career, his name would remain permanently associated with one of the most important competitions in Indian cricket. The Ranji Trophy would become the country’s premier first-class tournament and a vital pathway for generations of Indian cricketers.Gopalan’s legacy in Madras cricket continued even after his playing career. He later served as the national coach in 1950 and remained a respected figure in Indian cricket. In 1952, a silver jubilee fund was established to mark his 25 years in cricket and hockey, while the annual competition between Madras and Ceylon was named the MJ Gopalan Trophy. The competition continued for decades, underscoring his esteem.

The gate in Chepauk bears his name

Gopalan’s association with Chennai cricket was finally honored at the city’s iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium. One of the entrances at the famous Chepauk Stadium is named after him, ensuring that his name remains part of the physical landscape of Indian cricket.His career therefore presents a remarkable contradiction. He was good enough to represent India in two sports and was considered for the Olympic hockey team captained by Dhyan Chand, but his cricket career at the highest international level consisted of only one Test. The tour of England he chose before the Berlin Olympics did not give him the opportunities he expected, while the hockey team he left behind returned from Germany as Olympic champions.Still, Gopalan’s choice should not simply be seen as a mistake. Cricket was his passion and in 1936 he chose the sport he loved. What makes the decision so compelling is the benefit of hindsight. Had he pursued hockey and made the Olympic team, he could have been part of Dhyan Chand’s gold medal-winning team and one of the most famous sporting groups in Indian history.Instead, he became part of a different kind of history.Choosing cricket over a chance at Olympic gold with Dhyan Chand, he played only one Test for India but bowled the first ball in Ranji Trophy history. His name lives on in Chepauk, his first-class record remains impressive and his story continues to be one of the biggest unanswered ‘what ifs’ in Indian sport.Gopalan died in December 2003 after a long life in Indian sports. At the time of his death, he was believed to be the oldest living Test cricketer.