subject: Shaan-e-punjab - The Ascendancy Of A Virile People [print this page] In 1939, Prithviraj, a cricketer from Punjab said Gone are the days of the Bombay Presidencys domination in cricket. From now on the robust Punjabis will take over. Prithviraj spoke ahead of his time but its a cue to youngsters around Punjab that their natural abilities can keep them ahead of the pack.
The Stuff of Ballads
Arguably the greatest cricketer India produced, Kapil Dev, hailed from the region, that is, Haryana, a vital part of the Kings XI Punjab crest of KJHPH, represented by the final H. Punjab has showcased Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh in the Indian team in the last decade, its Chandigarh-based franchise Kings XI Punjab is regarded by captains as a dangerous side and today, Punjabi flamboyance and Balle Balle culture are an integral part of the Indian team. Even the patriotic hockey-based Hindi film by Shah Rukh Khan, Chak De India, is titled Punjabi -style.
Patrons and Revolutionaries
In the days before India was granted Test cricket status, the first Indian team to tour England in 1911 was led by Bhupinder Singh of Punjab, the erstwhile Maharaja of Patiala who later played an important role in setting up the Board of Control for Cricket in India. When the province-based Ranji Trophy first-class cricket tournament was started in 1934 to eventually replace the Pentagular, Lala Amarnath turning out for Southern Punjab ensured they finished at least as runners-up, in 1938, thereby making Punjabs presence felt in the nascent years of Indian cricket.
Becoming Indias first Test centurion, the Lala felt aggrieved with the social and selection injustices meted out at the time to players from non-elite backgrounds. He was the first to voice himself against the Indian princes hand-in-glove practices with the English to dominate cricket, a stirring condemnation which has changed Indian cricket for the better. Interestingly, the trophy for the Ranji championship had been donated by Punjabs Maharaja Bhupinder Singh in the year of its inception.
Domestic Cricket in India
After the Pentangular was disbanded in the 1940s, the province-based system was gradually reorganised into the present day format consisting of five zones, each zone comprising five or six states that represent first class teams. The Zones are North, Central, East, West and South. North Zone, for example, has the prominent teams Punjab and Delhi, West has Mumbai and Baroda and South has Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, among others.
Mumbai dominated the domestic game from the late 50s to the early 70s and fielded numerous players in the national side. Perhaps any other domineering representation would be Karnatakas in the second half of the 90s; even against the trend of those times, the silicon state had six or seven players in the India squad. However, a change gradually crept in a cultural invasion, led by Punjab. This hardy team had secured a Ranji Trophy title in 1993 and two years later, again distinguished itself as runners-up. Today, after excelling in hockey and Kabaddi, Punjabis are furthering their hold on cricket.
The Middle Generation
Peeking into history again, among the other players from Punjab, Vijay Mehra played for India in the 50s, while the legendary Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi represented Northern Punjab shortly afterwards. Lala Amarnaths son Mohinder, and Yashpal Sharma, both prominent contributors to Indias World Cup win of 1983 also turned out for Punjab, while fast bowler Yograj Singh, the father of Yuvraj Singh, also figured in a Test and limited-over internationals.
Then, Navjot Singh Sidhu exploded onto the scene, forming the bulwark of Indias top order and even today, is a colourful TV personality. One of his contemporaries from Punjab was pace bowler Rajinder Singh Ghai.
Post 1990s
Punjab opening batsman Vikram Rathore represented India in the early 90s while pacers Bhupinder Singh (Sr) and Harvinder Singh made their mark in the middle of the decade. Although not bred in Punjab, off-spinner Ashish Kapoor switched to playing for its first-class side, having already represented India.
India-capped players bred from Punjab in recent years have been all-rounders Dinesh Mongia and Reetinder Sodhi, fast bowler Vikram Rajvir Singh, and off-spinner Sarandeep Singh.
Punjabi Style Cricket
Its now the noughties (2000s) and there have been noticeable changes in the mindset of the Indian team While Punjab hasnt boasted of a clutch of players in the national squad, Yuvraj and Harbhajans herculean reputations and their ability to win matches speaks for domination. Meet the average man eating vada-pav in the hallowed cricket gallis of Mumbai and ask him whats going to be special at the Test or limited-overs match, Yuvrajs batting and Harbajans all-round cameos.
No more the fixation to watch local batsmen grind long centuries and achieve records. In the background, the radio plays a Punjabi song, unlike the classic Mohammad Rafi crooners through Vividbharati. Even when the famous Ganpati Bappa Morya cry emanates from the processions in Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturti, the band belts out a Punjabi tune. Punjabs cultural invasion is a work-in-progress making swift strides.
Deep Impact
Take for instance that Daler Mendis music albums made mega sales in a state as far removed from northern culture as Kerala. Again, whereas southern culture does not accept dancing as a wedding ritual, the Bangalore Times reported that the scholarly groom came on horseback and friends and relatives were dancing to Bhangra beats.
Brothers in Arms
Kings XI Punjab is a peoples team in keeping with the warm and gregarious nature of the people of Punjab and its proximal areas. Its strong associations with Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana are aptly borne out in its banner. Jammu and Kashmir is a first-class side rapidly gaining in confidence. Himachal Pradesh has achieved the distinction of winning the Plate Group of the Ranji Trophy in 2007, while Haryana has won the title in 1991, apart from producing stalwarts like Kapil Dev, Chetan Sharma and Ajay Jadeja.
Lift the Banner
As the tentacles of cricket spread globally, Punjabis natural leanings towards valour and victory will see them at the forefront. Be it filmdom or cricket, Indias two great passions, Punjabis have carved a unique place for themselves. Its franchise Kings XI Punjab may be their flagship for higher honours as the second decade of the 2000s rolls on and a premier cricket league gives it wings.
