Palwankar Baloo, the Dalit cricketer

Watched the first black South African, Temba Bavuma, score a century at Cape Town and most appropriately against the Englismen. He steered the ball past first slip to the third man boundary, joyran the pitch with helmet off. Makhya Ntini in the stands cheered loud and long and why not? Bavuma walked to the pavilion, not out at 102; a short, strong build, he seems to prefer shots to the mid-wicket region; he stretches forward more than using his feet for the classical back and forward sway. Enjoying the cricket amid drinks, dances and kisses; yes, the female audience is a delight; wish our fans could do the same at Eden, Chepauk and Wankhede. South Africa and England are playing for the Basil D'Oliveira trophy. John Arlott writes on Basil: 'He did the impossible. He broke out of the bonds of apartheid which rendered him a second-class citizen in his native South Africa to reach the highest level of his chosen profession in another country; and to be decorated by the Queen of England with the OBE. That was his message of hope to all the under-privileged races in South Africa, that escape to emancipation, liberty, and success, though still remote, is not impossible.' Temba Bavuma has made it and if South Africa wins the series, Bavuma should be requested to accept the trophy and Hashim Amla, cricket's best gentleman, will surely agree. For me, there are two fine cricketing humans in international cricket: Hashim Amla and Moieen Ali. A genre sharing with Bavuma is an Indian cricketer deleted from Indian cricket memory: a Dalit called Palwankar Baloo, dealt with sympathy and in detail, by Ramchandra Guha in A corner of a foreign field; perhaps, the best book on Indian cricket and may boast of Rahul Dravid, as the lone reader. As Guha admits, Palwankar Baloo is entirely off the screen, not a blink. A Calcutta journalist of those times details: A fine left-hand bowler, who possesses marvellous stamina. Breaks from both sides. Has the easiest of deliveries. Seldom tires. Can bowl all day long. Keeps an excellent length. Never sends down a loose delivery. Understands the game thoroughly. Places the field to a nicety, catches come (to the fielders), they have not to go in for them. Decidedly a head bowler.' Being a Dalit, was treated a Dalit. Invited to play for Poona Hindus, on humiliating terms. 'On the field the upper caste cricketers touched the same ball as he, but off it they observed the ritual taboos. At the tea interval, that ceremony sacred to cricket, Baloo was served the liquid outside the pavilion, and in a disposable clay matka, while his colleagues drank in white porcelain cups inside. If he wished to wash his hands and face, an Untouchable servant of the club took a kettle out into a corner of the field and poured water from it. Baloo also ate his lunch off a separate plate, and on a separate table,' details Guha. Baloo knew C.K. Nayudu and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. BCCI annual awards has a trophy in the name of C.K. Nayudu: Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. No award in the name of Palwankar Baloo. Sorry, Baloo.