Indian Cricket Still A Victim Of Racism?

After every hope of returning in top cricket have faded away the lefty tribal, talented batsman Vinod Kambli, has asserted that "injustices" based on caste and color had been done to him and he proved the selectors wrong with his scores and by coming back nine times.

Kambli, a childhood friend of ace cricketer SachinTendulkar recently kicked a controversy about injustices and racial discrimination done to him by cricket selectors and managers of the India, where the game is considered as religion.

Even when Sachin TendulkarSachin Tendulkar was skipper and included him in the team, the selectors told Tendulkar, "You have inducted Kambli because of your friendship." Tendulkar replied to the selectors that his (Kambli's) inclusion was purely on his performance.

Legendary cricketer Mohinder Amarnath had made come backs eight times but the Kambli did it for nine times.

It just not happens in cricket, but is true for all fields in life in India.

The case of Vinod Kambli aptly shows as to how the natural talents are deliberately rubbed off from the scene and only those survive who are from influential backgrounds, well connected or sheer have luck in their favor.

I always felt discriminated against by the cricket board because of my caste and color, says Kambli.

This all reminds of the Pawalakar Balu, a medium pacer and first Dalit to be chosen as a member of the Indian cricket team which played in England in 1911. The cricket historians have recorded that Dalit Balu was not allowed to have lunch with other Indian members of team at Bombay Gymkhana, who mostly were Brahmins and practice untouchability.

This mindset still prevails but in much sophisticated way.

Believe it or not, the 5% Brahmin's in India have on an average more than 70 percent representation in the Indian cricket teams. It’s not a mere coincidence that Gavaskar, Dravid, Sourav GangulySourav Ganguly, Kumble, Tendulkar, Laxman and many other stalwarts of the Indian cricket are Brahmins.

Those who keep track of caste break up of Indian cricket team say; only two dalits have so far represented India in its 75 years of cricket history. These are Balwanth Paloo from Karnataka and Vinod Kambli.


Vinod Kambli, who created a world record with the Tendulkar, was the second Dalit member in Indian cricket member. But where tendulkar now and Kambli is is completely forgotten. Vinod Kambli was forced retire with an over 50 average due to not being given enough chances. He was surely targeted by the elite BCCI bosses who promoted only elite players in Indian cricket.

How can a Dalit dream of playing in Indian team? When humanity is lost so terribly?

Legendary sports broadcaster John Arlott had once said sport reflected its society. It truly does in India.