Cricket Flashback - History Of Early England Tours Of India

The first major English team to tour India was led by GF Vernon, in 1889/90. They played 13 matches, of which they won 10 and drew 2. The most-anticipated clash was against the Parsees, at Bombay Gymk

The first English team to tour India in the 20th century were the Oxford University Authentics of 1902/03. The star of the team was underarm bowler George Simpson-Hayward. Their first match was against Bombay Presidency, for whom John Glennie Greig scored 204.

An English Army Captain, Greig was the first outstanding batsman to play cricket regularly on Indian soil. He played for Hampshire in the summer and in India in the winter months. The Indians had trouble pronouncing "John Glennie", and often referred to him as "Jungly Greig".

While practising at Poona Club, Greig was impressed by Palwankar Baloo, a member of the ground-staff who bowled left-arm spin. Greig practised against Baloo for hours, and rewarded Baloo with eight annas (half a rupee) every time he dismissed Greig. This was a lot of money, for Baloo's salary at this point was four rupees a month.

But the Hindus refused to pick Baloo, for he was a Dalit. Greig made sure Baloo was selected. It was not a happy experience for Baloo. While his Brahmin teammates had to touch the ball bowled by him, he was mistreated off the field. Baloo was served lunch at a separate table, and tea outside the dressing-room.

Meanwhile, two Indian tours to England were cancelled, in 1904 (due to lack of budgets) and 1907 (there was no slot available).

The first all-Indian side toured England in 1911. They were led by Bhupinder Singh, the Maharaja of Patiala. As chief selector, Greig picked Baloo and his brother Shivram. By then the brothers had been granted entry to the Hindu Gymkhana cafeteria and were playing for the Hindus in the Bombay Triangular (later Quadrangular, then Pentangular).

Baloo took 75 wickets on the tour at 20.12 apiece. None of his teammates got even 50 wickets. With 631 runs, Shivram was the second-highest scorer on the tour.

In 1923/24 Shivram, a third Palwankar brother, was appointed captain of the Hindus.

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