Spin, Struggle and Triumph: The Story of Palwankar Baloo

The story begins in 1875. Baloo was born in Dharwad but shifted to Poona after his father took up a job there. He used to sweep and roll the pitch in a Parsi club for a measly Rs 3 per month. He then took a job in the Poona Club where his salary increased to Rs 4 per month. Here he used to roll and mark the pitch, erect the nets and bowl to cricketers at the Club.

At the Poona Club, Baloo got introduced to Captain Barton. A slow left-arm spinner, known for his accuracy. Barton became Baloo's mentor. Baloo used to bowl to other members of the club regularly where he built his fitness and developed his skillset. Poona club's captain, J.G. Grieg, famously known as Jungly, got to know about Baloo's bowling prowess and he started using his services to hone his skills and prepare for matches.

Jungly used to come to the Club an hour before everybody else and ask Baloo to bowl to him. He also used to give him 8 annas for every time he got him out. Hours of toiling in the nets made Baloo an even better and efficient bowler. Before he knew it, the news of Palwankar’s abilities reached the native clubs and cricketers. 

A local Hindu club who was looking to challenge the European team in Poona wanted his services. But were in a dilemma due to his caste and social status. Jungly came in to help Baloo. He praised his bowling skills in an interview which made the Hindu club to play him in the team.

His bowling helped Hindus defeat the Europeans. Baloo's bowling prowess was such that even English batters feared him. In a match in Satara, they had prepared the wicket to nullify Palwankar’s spin. He still took 7 wickets and helped his team win the match. After his electrifying performance, he was paraded on an elephant. When he returned to Poona, he was felicitated by Mahadev Govind Ranade and was honoured by Bal Gangadhar Tilak at a public event. 

While he was treated equally on the field, outside the field he was given a different behavior. He was served tea in a clay matka outside the pavilion while his teammates drank tea in porcelain cups inside the pavilion. He had to wash his hands and face with the help of an untouchable servant in one corner of a field. He used to eat lunch on a separate plate and on a separate table. 

Baloo then made another shift. This time to Bombay. He did so for two main reasons - the Poona plague of 1896 and better cricket opportunities. He was recruited by the famous Parmanandas Jivandas Hindu Gymkhana. Once deemed untouchable, Baloo had turned the tide through his exploits as a slow left-arm spinner. M.E. Pavri, a pioneer of Parsi cricket and Baloo's opponent, praised him as one the best native bowlers and the Wilfred Rhodes of India.

Baloo was not only the preference of local clubs but also the Maharajas. In one instance, the Maharaja of Natore had invited him to play in a match against the Maharaja of Jodhpur's team. The latter had Ranji playing for them. But Baloo got the better of him and dismissed him for just 20 runs. Ranji and Baloo had gone against each other previously as well in a match between Kathiawad and Zaalawad. Zaalawad managed to defeat Kathiawad with Baloo picking up the wicket of Ranji. 

An all-India team toured England in 1911. The team played a total of 14 matches out of which they won 2, lost 10 and drew 2. Baloo amassed 114 wickets on the tour. Not only that, he picked up 5 wickets for 7 runs against Oxford, 4 wickets for 96 against the MCC and 8 wickets for 103 runs against Cambridge. What makes this performance even more remarkable is the fact that he was suffering from swelling on his shoulder.

Famous English critic E.H.D. Sewell praised Baloo. He said that his performance was exceptional and he would be the first choice of any county team. Baloo was facilitated at an event where the welcome address was delivered by none other than B.R. Ambedkar. In 16 matches that Baloo played across the Bombay Quadrangular, Triangular and Presidency matches, he took 109 wickets, while also scoring 410 runs. 

Baloo passed away on July 4, 1955, leaving behind a legacy as India's first great cricketer. At a time when cricket was being played on communal lines, Baloo was breaking social barriers through his performance on the field.

Let me close this story by A.F.S. Talyarkhan's iconic lines:

"It is our national misfortune that the young of today know nothing about the men who made Indian cricket much of what it is. Cricket will miss Baloo, but always remember him."

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