Faaiza Sayyed

8623
MA Part II

DALIT LITERATURE

REPRESENTATION OF DALIT COMMUNITY IN CRICKET

A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY

Cricket, often referred to as the "religion" of India, holds a revered status in the nation's cultural

fabric, commanding the attention and adoration of millions across the country. Yet, amidst the

fervour of the sport's fervent followers, lies a nuanced tale of representation and inclusion that

transcends the boundaries of the playing field. At the heart of this narrative is the story of the

Dalit community—traditionally marginalized and overlooked within the echelons of Indian

society—seeking recognition and acceptance within the hallowed halls of cricketing glory. In
this case study, we embark on an exploration of the representation of the Dalit community in

Indian cricket, tracing the historical trajectory of inclusion and examining the challenges and

opportunities faced by Dalit cricketers on their journey to prominence. Through a critical lens,

we interrogate the complex intersections of caste, class, and cricket, shedding light on the

broader socio-political dynamics that shape the landscape of the sport and the aspirations of its

players. As we navigate through the annals of cricketing history, we endeavour to uncover the

untold stories, celebrate the triumphs, and confront the obstacles that define the quest for

representation and equity in one of India's most beloved pastimes.

Discrimination against Dalits in India has deep historical roots that stretch back centuries,

reflecting the entrenched caste system that has governed social relations in the country for

millennia. At the heart of this discrimination lies the hierarchical structure of Hindu society,

which categorizes individuals into rigid caste groups based on birth, with Dalits historically

occupying the lowest rung of this social hierarchy. Historically known as "untouchables,"

Dalits have faced systemic discrimination and oppression for generations, subjected to social,

economic, and political marginalization on account of their caste status. This discrimination

has manifested in various forms, including restrictions on access to education, employment,

and public spaces, as well as widespread social ostracism and violence. During the colonial

period, British rule exacerbated existing caste-based inequalities, with colonial authorities

implementing policies that further entrenched the marginalization of Dalits. The British

administration, seeking to maintain social order and exploit existing divisions within Indian

society, institutionalized caste-based discrimination through legislation and administrative

measures, reinforcing the subordinate status of Dalits within the colonial social order.

Following India's independence in 1947, the newly formed government pledged to eradicate

caste-based discrimination and promote social justice and equality for all citizens. While

significant strides have been made in advancing the rights of Dalits through affirmative action
policies and legislative reforms, including the implementation of reservations in education,

employment, and political representation, discrimination against Dalits persists in various

forms. Today, Dalits continue to face discrimination and violence across various spheres of life,

including education, employment, housing, and healthcare. Incidents of caste-based violence,

including atrocities such as caste-motivated killings, sexual violence, and social boycotts,

remain distressingly common, highlighting the enduring legacy of caste-based discrimination

in Indian society.

Discrimination in Sports

Historically, sports in India have been dominated by individuals from privileged backgrounds,

with Dalits often marginalized and excluded from mainstream sporting institutions and

competitions. This exclusion stems from deep-rooted caste-based prejudices and social

inequalities that pervade the sporting landscape, reinforcing existing hierarchies and

perpetuating discrimination against Dalits. Dalit athletes frequently encounter discrimination

and bias within sporting institutions, including selection committees, coaching staff, and

administrative bodies. Caste-based prejudices can influence decision-making processes,

leading to the exclusion of Dalit athletes from teams and opportunities for representation.

The lack of representation of Dalit athletes at the national and international levels is another

manifestation of systemic discrimination within Indian sports. While there have been instances

of Dalit athletes achieving success and recognition in various sports, their achievements are

often overshadowed by the dominance of athletes from privileged backgrounds. This

underrepresentation not only reflects the barriers faced by Dalit athletes but also perpetuates

stereotypes and misconceptions about their abilities and potential in sports.

monthly wage of ₹4, his primary responsibility was to set up nets, prepare and delineate the

pitch exclusively reserved for Europeans. This young lad had previously performed similar

duties at a club operated by Parsis. However, his new role included an additional task: bowling

to British batsmen during practice sessions. Spending countless hours honing his bowling skills

at the nets, he matured into one of modern India's most exceptional cricketers. Palwankar

Baloo, as he was known, emerged as a pillar of Indian cricket, leading the Hindu Gymkhana

to numerous stirring victories over their former British overlords. His standout performance

during India's inaugural all-Indian team tour of England in 1911 provided a glimmer of hope

amidst an otherwise disheartening campaign. Baloo's remarkable achievement of taking 114

wickets at an average of 18.84, including a notable haul of 8/103 against Cambridge,

showcased his talent and determination. However, despite being one of India's inaugural world-

class players and its first Dalit cricketer, Baloo has been largely sidelined in the annals of

history, relegated to a few scant textual references and oral traditions. This neglect serves as a

poignant indictment of India's cricket literature and the tendency to erase Dalit heroes from

mainstream historical narratives and collective memory.

In a report written in 2018, it was established that in the 86 years since India attained Test

status, 290 different men have played test cricket for India. However, only four belong to

the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. That’s four, instead of about 70, as it should

have been per the population proportion.

significant scrutiny. A comparable dearth of black players in South African cricket prompted

the implementation of quotas mandating non-White player inclusion across all levels of the

sport. Conversely, in India, there exists a notable dearth of accurate data concerning the socio-

economic backgrounds of cricket players, despite the sport's devout following among the

masses. Few scholarly investigations have delved into the underlying causes of this pronounced

under-representation of Dalits in cricket. Sirivayan Anand posited that Brahminical preferences

played a role, attributing the phenomenon to Brahmins' historical inclination towards sedentary

pursuits, as cricket involves prolonged periods of standing and minimal physical contact.

Ramachandra Guha's seminal work on Indian cricket, "A Corner of a Foreign Field," highlights

the story of Palwankar Baloo, a Dalit and widely regarded as India's first cricketing luminary.

Guha's research underscores the presence of several Dalit cricketers at the highest echelons of

the sport in the early 20th century, predating India's attainment of Test status. Boria Majumdar,

in the International Journal of the History of Sport, posits that the transition from royal

patronage to corporate sponsorship post-independence precipitated a decline in Dalit

participation. Corporate sponsors began imposing educational prerequisites on cricketers,

lacking educational access.

A shift

Cricket in India was historically perceived as the exclusive domain of English sahibs,

monarchs, nawabs, and the affluent elite. However, with the dawn of Independence, the aura

of royalty began to fade, consequently diminishing their presence within the national cricket

team. The initial shift in team selection occurred as other powerful elites entered the fray,

supplanting the erstwhile royalty. This emerging cohort predominantly hailed from urban

centers, affluent upper-caste backgrounds, and most crucially, from a demographic with access

to Gymkhanas and similar clubs—venues where their talents could be recognized and nurtured.

Indian cricket is currently undergoing another significant transition, particularly in the context

of the IPL and the era of club cricket.

Does India need a caste based quota in cricket?

The absence of Dalit representation in cricket cannot be solely attributed to individual choices

or Brahminical preferences. Therefore, it is imperative to confront these issues rather than

dismissing them outright. Since the barriers to Dalit representation are often subtle and

systemic, implementing a quota system may be the most effective approach to addressing them

comprehensively. By instituting reservations, not only can potential biases in selection

processes be mitigated, but it can also ensure the provision of role models for aspiring Dalit

cricketers. While Ramdas Athawale has put forward the idea of a 25% reservation for Dalits

and Adivasis in the international cricket team, the intention is not to prescribe a specific quota

or percentage. Determining an appropriate figure necessitates access to comprehensive data

strategy. Unfortunately, presently, there exists a dearth of publicly available data regarding the

representation of Dalits within the domestic cricket structure. While it may be relatively

straightforward to compile a list of Test cricketers from India to ascertain the presence of

religious minorities such as Muslims and Christians, the task is more complex in the case of

caste identities, owing to regional variations in surnames and deliberate alterations to conceal

such identities. To accurately gauge the involvement of Dalits in cricket, there is a pressing

need to bolster data collection efforts at grassroots levels of the sport, where structural barriers

are most prevalent. The lack of comprehensive data collection is also attributable to the

insufficient attention paid to this issue by mainstream media outlets. Hence, it is imperative to

establish support systems at the grassroots level to address structural inequalities at their root.

This approach would not only ensure that players benefiting from these initiatives are not

unfairly criticized when they underperform but also pave the way for a more equitable and

inclusive cricketing landscape.

As ardent cricket enthusiasts, we harbour concerns that implementing a quota system could

potentially compromise the quality of the Indian cricket team. However, our hesitance serves

as a poignant reminder of how deeply ingrained the notion of meritocracy has become in

contemporary discourse.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the case study of Indian cricket underscores a sobering reality: despite its

widespread popularity and cultural significance, the sport remains plagued by entrenched

inequalities and systemic barriers that hinder the representation of Dalit cricketers. With only

four cricketers from SC/ST backgrounds having represented the Indian team to date, the glaring
lack of diversity within the sport serves as a poignant reminder of the persistent caste-based

discrimination that pervades Indian society.

This dearth of Dalit representation not only deprives the Indian cricket team of talent and

diversity but also perpetuates the marginalization of an entire community within the sporting

arena. It is imperative that steps be taken to address this issue and dismantle the structural

barriers that impede the participation and progression of Dalit cricketers.

In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "The true measure of any society can be found in how it

treats its most vulnerable members." As we reflect on the case study of Indian cricket, let us

reaffirm our commitment to creating a future where every aspiring cricketer, regardless of caste

or creed, has an equal opportunity to shine on the field of play.

REFERENCES

https://tamilfunda.com/indian-cricket-players-caste-religion-list/

http://indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Scheduled_caste_players_in_Indian_cricket_teams