In the melee of IPL 2026 – how much of Cricket do you follow, do you watch matches daily. Did you follow Ranji trophy -2025-26 – Jammu & Kashmir made history winning their maiden Ranji title defeating eight times champions Karnataka in the 91st edition of the Indian (once) premier tournament
Sadly, Tamil Nadu concluded the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season with a sixth-place finish in Elite Group A, failing to qualify for the knockout stages. After a difficult start that included an innings defeat to Jharkhand in their opening match, the team recorded its first victory of the season in the penultimate round by defeating Odisha.
Long ago, when Test matches were telecast live in Doordarshan, there would be Commentators and one Expert Commentator !! C: the ball has been hit to boundary and now the score is … .. .. – what do you think of that shot Sir ? EC (Lala Amarnath, CD Gopinath .. … ) – it was a good shot, shot in length, went on backfoot, square cut for four ! –
In the annals of Indian Cricket that Chennai test in Feb 1952 would remain a much remembered one. India recorded their first victory defeating England by an innings and 8 runs.
The sad news is : Former India cricketer C.D. Gopinath passed away peacefully in Chennai today. He was 96. Gopinath had been the last surviving member of India’s maiden Test win against England in 1952. He and his wife Comala, a former champion golfer, lived in Coonoor in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu.
In that Test India made five changes from their previous side. Manjrekar, Nayudu, Shinde, Joshi and Adhikari stood down for Mushtaq Ali, Amarnath, Gopinath, Divecha and Sen. As originally chosen the side included Adhikari and omitted Umrigar, but a wrist injury due to a fall gave Umrigar another opportunity which he seized splendidly. Carr led England for the first time, Howard standing down with pleurisy, this being the one change from the Kanpur side.
Born on March 1, 1930, Gopinath played eight Tests and 83 first-class matches for India and Madras. He made his Test debut against England at the Brabourne Stadium in 1951 and played his last match against Australia at Eden Gardens in 1960. The right handed batsman scored 50* and 42 on his Test debut against the England cricket team in 1951–52, batting at No.8 in both innings. He contributed a quick 35 in the final Test of that series when India recorded its first Test victory.
He toured England in 1952 but could not shine much. At home he played Tests against Pakistan in 1952–53 and Australia in 1959–60, and toured Pakistan in 1954–55. He was chosen in the team to the West Indies in 1952–53 but turned down the invitation. Gopinath captained Madras from 1955–56 to 1962–63, as well as South Zone in the Duleep Trophy. Later, he served as a national selector under Vijay Merchant and as the chairman, and managed the 1979 tour to England.
Tamil Nadu, then playing as Madras won Ranji Trophy for the 1st time in 1954-55. They beat Holkar by 46 runs in the finals. RB Alagannan was the Captain, Dl Chakravarthy (wk)- rest being S Balakrishna, M Suryanarayanan, AG Kripal Singh, CD Gopinath, MK Balakrishnan, J Ramakrishnan, BC Alva, AK Sarangapani & MK Murugesh. Holkar put Madras in and Madras made 478 with CD Gopinath making 133. Holkar were bowled out for 417. Madras made 311 in its second innings with Kripal Singh scoring 91. The victory margin was 46 runs.
A right-handed batter, Gopinath featured in eight Tests for India in the 1950s and scored 242 runs with a highest score of 50 not out. In an accomplished First-Class career, Gopinath played 83 games for Madras and accumulated 4259 runs at a healthy average of 42.16, including nine centuries and 23 half-centuries.
Back in 22nd Nov 2023, Kapil Dev had been invited for a book launch at Hotel Savera, CD Gopinath walked into the function hall – Kapil spoke very respectfully to him - @ 93 he walked steadily with pride. Was fortunate to greet him, talk to him and took a couple of photos with him.
Rest in peace – CD Gopinath Sir
Regards – S Sampathkumar
9.4.2026