An impression has been created that Monty Panesar is the first Sikh cricketer to represent England. The idea is fast gaining ground because even the hallowed compendium of cricket, Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, mentioned in its 2007 edition that no Sikh cricketer has played for any nation other than India.
This statement, however, is not based on facts. The first Sikh cricketer to play for England (then MCC) was Bhupendrasingh, the Maharaja of Patiala. In 1926-27, Bhupendrasingh played in two unofficial Tests under Arthur Gilligan against India. The matches were held in Bombay and in Calcutta.
Bhupendrasingh was not a left-arm spinner in the mould of Monty Panesar but a hard-hitting right-handed batsman, exceptionally strong with the cut and the pull. In 1911, at the age of 19, he had toured England with the Patiala’s All-India team and had created quite an impression.
After representing England in unofficial Tests in 1926-27, he was billed to lead India in the inaugural official Test match. Actually he was selected to captain India in England in 1932, but official duty made it impossible for him to make himself available. As a result, Natwarsinhji, the Maharaja of Porbandar, was nominated the captain. Ultimately, both Natwarsinhji and his deputy, Ghanashyamsinhji, the Maharaja of Limdi, stepped down voluntarily, which enabled the talented C.K. Nayudu to lead India in the inaugural Test.
Bhupendrasingh of Patiala lost his chance to be the leader of the team in an official Test match. Ironically, the same fate befell his son, Yadavendrasingh, the Yuvraj of Patiala. Yadavendrasingh was a batsman of class. He had immense power in his stroke-play and was a magnificent driver of the ball. Like his father, he had a rasping square cut and could be relied to pull the ball high and handsome.
Fathers and sons
He made his debut in the official Test in Madras in 1933-34 against Douglas Jardine’s team. In the first innings, he was India’s highest scorer with a superlative 60 against the likes of Clarke, Nicholls and Verity. In the next innings, he had another creditable outing, scoring 24 runs. That was the last Test of the series and Yadavendrasingh got no other opportunities that season.
However, in 1935-36, Jack Ryder’s Australia came to play a four-Test unofficial series against India. In the first Test, Yadavendrasingh led India but in the following two Tests, he played under the leadership of Nayudu and WazirAli respectively. Thereafter his career paralleled that of his father’s. In 1932, Bhupendrasingh had not been able to lead India in an official Test match. This time around, his son failed to do the same, although he was the favourite, along with Nayudu and WazirAli, for the captaincy.
Indian cricket, even then, was a hub of corruption and parochialism. The undeserving Maharajkumar of Vizianagram, ‘Vizzy’ for short, was appointed India’s captain to England in 1936 while deserving candidates such as Nayudu and Wazir Ali went as ordinary members.
Worse, Yadavendrasingh could not make it to England. If he had gone on that tour, the whole history of Indian cricket would have been written differently. On that tour, India had a fine set of players. But Vizzy’s inept handling of players led to failure. Unlike Vizzy, Yadavendrasingh would have made a wonderful captain. He would have been able to harness the talents of his players and led them to success. Unfortunately, it was not to be.
Both father and son, though deserving, missed out on captaining India in an official Test. However, the fact remains that Bhupendrasingh was the first Sikh cricketer to have played for England. Monty Panesar is merely following in the great man’s footsteps.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070801/asp/opinion/story_8088845.asp
