Players from Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings paid tribute to former Indian cricketer C.D. Gopinath by wearing black armbands during their IPL match. Gopinath, who passed away at 96, was the oldest Test cricketer in India and second-oldest globally after Neil Harvey.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also commemorated Gopinath’s legacy in a statement, acknowledging his significant contribution to Indian cricket. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia highlighted Gopinath’s role in shaping Indian cricket and his participation in India’s first Test victory.
Gopinath, a pivotal figure in Tamil Nadu cricket, led the team to their inaugural Ranji Trophy win in 1954–55. His remarkable first-class career included scoring 4,259 runs in 60 matches. Beyond playing, Gopinath served as a national selector and team manager during India’s 1979 England tour.
After Gopinath’s demise, Chandrakant Patankar, India’s oldest living Test cricketer, took on the mantle. In the IPL match, KKR won the toss and opted to bowl first, with CSK starting strong in the Power-play, led by Samson and Ayush Mhatre.
