He chose cricket over Olympic hockey gold with Dhyan Chand: MJ Gopalan played just 1 Test and bowled the first Ranji Trophy ball

MJ Gopalan, a cricket and hockey player from Indian sporting history, faced an ironic choice in 1936. He could either join the Indian hockey team for the Berlin Olympics under Dhyan Chand or travel with the Indian cricket side. Gopalan chose cricket, following his passion, but his decision proved to be one of the most fascinating "what ifs" in Indian sport.

The Indian hockey team won Olympic gold that year, while Gopalan, part of the cricket tour, never played a Test in England. Gopalan had already played his only Test match against England in 1933-34, taking one wicket and scoring 18 runs. His first-class cricket career was more successful than his brief international career would suggest, taking 194 wickets and scoring 2,916 runs in 78 matches.

Gopalan's cricket journey began in Madras, where he was spotted by CP Johnstone, a founder of Madras cricket. He played fast-medium swing bowling and became one of Madras' most significant figures in cricket. Gopalan's cricket career also includes a unique milestone: he bowled the first ball in Ranji Trophy history, the first-ever match of India's premier domestic competition.

The stadium where he made this historic delivery now bears his name. Gopalan's life in Indian sport ended in December 2003 as the oldest surviving Test cricketer.