He chose cricket over Olympic gold with Dhyan Chand: MJ Gopalan played just 1 Test
The article recounts the career of MJ Gopalan, an Indian athlete who faced a difficult choice in 1936 between playing hockey at the Berlin Olympics or touring England with the Indian cricket team. He chose cricket, missing out on an Olympic gold medal with Dhyan Chand's legendary hockey squad.
Why it matters
This story serves as a historical reflection on the 'what if' moments in sports and the dual-sport versatility of athletes in the early 20th century.
In Indian sporting history, few careers carry an irony as striking as that of MJ Gopalan.A gifted cricketer and hockey player, Gopalan found himself facing an extraordinary choice in 1936: pursue a place in the Indian hockey team for the Berlin Olympics under legendary captain Dhyan Chand, or travel to England with the Indian cricket side.He chose cricket, following his greater passion. But what followed made the decision one of the most fascinating “what if” moments in Indian sport. The Indian hockey team went on to win Olympic gold in Berlin, while Gopalan, despite being part of the cricket tour he had chosen, did not get an opportunity to play a Test in England.Gopalan was a genuine double international, representing India in both cricket and hockey.
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