We had a fantastic conversation with C.D. Gopinath, now, 87 years old. He is the only surviving member of the Indian team that won the test match against English in 1951-52, India’s first ever test win, in Madras (now, Chennai). He shared few anecdotes.
“My favourite stroke was ‘square cut’, though it is a difficult stroke to play. During a tour match of England, my coach, Bert Wensley asked me not to play square cut because I mostly got out, while playing the stroke. For 2 matches, I did not play square cut. My coach was happy, but I was not. I appealed to him that I wanted to play square cut, since it gave me great pleasure. My coach agreed to let me play the stroke, but advised me not to play as opening batsman and put me further down in the batting order. I was very happy and agreed at once.
Seeing my love for cricket, my wife named our house in Coonoor “Cover Drive”.
Students
Eureka Schools, Koovathur
2018
