The Gopalan Trophy was contested in 2001 in Chennai by the Colombo District and Tamil Nadu Cricket Associations. M.J. Gopalan was presented with a memento by the Colombo team's coach, Roshan Mahanama, in remembrance of his feats against Ceylon in Cricket and Hockey.

Picture Caption: The Gopalan Trophy was contested in 2001 in Chennai by the Colombo District and Tamil Nadu Cricket Associations. M.J. Gopalan was presented with a memento by the Colombo team’s coach, Roshan Mahanama, in remembrance of his feats against Ceylon in Cricket and Hockey.

The M.J. Gopalan Trophy is to be revived this season after a two-year gap. The annual first class match between Tamil Nadu and a representative team from Sri Lanka was last played in 2007 when the State side toured the Island.

The contest could not be held in 2008 and 2009 due to cramped cricketing schedules in both Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. There were rumours that this match-up, steeped in history, would be scrapped altogether. Indeed, there were opportunities to conduct the tournament in the past whenever Sri Lanka toured India in 2005 and 2009-10. The visitors desired practice matches on those visits. They could have easily arranged matches with Tamil Nadu rather than play some motley club teams in Mumbai. Tamil Nadu, with several young players with national experience, could have given a tough fight if one-dayers were arranged with the visitors. There was a strange explanation offered that since Sri Lanka enjoyed international stature in 1982, they may not agree to play against a State side. Are not teams touring England playing against weak county sides?

Happily, the Gopalan Trophy has received a fresh lease of life. Speaking exclusively to The Hindu, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association Secretary K.S. Viswanathan said, “Tamil Nadu will be travelling to Sri Lanka in October this year. This is confirmed. There was a strong desire, both in Tamil Nadu and in Sri Lanka, to resume the match. There is so much history around it.”

Viswanathan added, “The young cricketers in both the sides will benefit. We will play the Gopalan Trophy, a four-day duel, and then three one-dayers. We are most likely to play against the Sri Lanka ‘A’ side which will have a wonderful preparation for the Tamil Nadu cricketers ahead of the Ranji Trophy season.”

On the last occasion, the R. Ashwin-led Tamil Nadu XI went down to a Sri Lanka Cricket Invitation Eleven in Colombo (2007). However, the tour gave several young Tamil Nadu cricketers a feel of international cricket away from home.

The match had been earlier revived in 2000 – it was discontinued in 1983 – when Tamil Nadu travelled to Sri Lanka. Then, the Colombo District Cricket Association, a strong representative side from the Island, toured the State in 2001. The subsequent match at Chepauk threw up L. Balaji as a young, exciting pace bowling prospect. The Roshan Mahanama-managed team included the likes of Thilakaratne Dilshan. It may be recalled that Tamil Nadu’s Sridharan Sharath, one of the country’s most prolific batsmen, scored a solid 154.

Tamil Nadu was scheduled for a campaign in Sri Lanka late in 2003. However, a clash of dates with domestic cricket and inclement weather in Sri Lanka led to the cancellation of the tour. Subsequently, the match could be staged only once – in 2007.

Named after the late double international in cricket and hockey, M.J. Gopalan, the match is dotted with memorable performances. The inaugural game was played way back in 1953 at the Corporation Stadium here.

The competition, in fact, travels way beyond cricket. It symbolises friendship and harmony between the people of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Hopefully, the Gopalan Trophy is here to stay this time around. – (Courtesy: Straight Bat)