This revolution came in Indian cricket because of Mahatma Gandhi, the way was also open for the Ranji Trophy

Today is 2 October and on this day the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation of India, is celebrated. Mahatma Gandhi's name is usually associated with the country's independence. However, he has had a huge influence on Indian cricket and a big revolution also took place because of him. Because of 'Bapu' who taught the lesson of non-violence, the Ranji Trophy also opened the way to become India's biggest domestic tournament. You may be surprised to know these things but this is true. Let us know about this interesting connection between Mahatma Gandhi, who fought for India's independence, and cricket.

Cricket and Mahatma Gandhi have had a huge impact on India. Both have influenced the country in their own way, which has given India a distinct identity in the world. If we talk about Mahatma Gandhi playing cricket, he used to play it a lot in his childhood. However, later he had no connection with it. Rather, he was one of the biggest critics of cricket. Despite this, a big revolution took place in Indian cricket because of him.

In fact, before independence, the problem of casteism and untouchability was at its peak in the country. Cricket was also not untouched by this. Indian cricketer Palwankar Balu was a very brilliant spinner. He was also a part of the first Indian team to tour England in 1911. Despite this, he had to face discrimination throughout his career. He did not even get opportunities to play club cricket. Once in the Bombay tournament, the Hindu Gymkhana Cricket Club did not give him captaincy.

Then influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's fight against untouchability, Palwankar Balu along with his brothers started demonstrating for their rights. After Palwankar's demonstration, he was first made the vice-captain. Then in the 1923 edition, he also got the captaincy for one match. Seeing this revolution in cricket, the confidence of many other players increased and they started fighting against casteism and started demanding their rights. However, Mahatma Gandhi had never seen Palwankar Balu and his brothers play.

The way is open for the Ranji Trophy.

Mahatma Gandhi was one of the biggest critics of cricket. According to him, playing this game provides exercise but does not increase the intelligence of the players. Therefore, in his eyes, such a game had no meaning. Apart from this, he also opposed it due to the discrimination in it. Mahatma Gandhi had a direct influence on cricket in the 1940s. He believed that during the time of world war, mourning should be done instead of playing.

Therefore, they protested against the Indian team's tour of England because of the discrimination happening in India's biggest and most famous Bombay tournament. Due to this, the tour of England was canceled and the Bombay tournament was discontinued forever. With the end of the Bombay tournament, the way was paved for the Ranji Trophy, which started in 1934. Gradually, it became the biggest domestic cricket tournament in the country.