Name Hindi: सोराबजी कोला / Gender Man
Sorabji Colah: The Indian Cricketer
Born on 14th September 1912, Sorabji Bezonji Colah was an Indian cricketer who left a significant mark in the annals of cricket history. He played as a right-handed batsman and his professional career spanned from 1932 to 1945 during which he played first-class cricket.
Early Life and Education
Sorabji was born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India where he also completed his early education. In school, he excelled both academically and in sports, particularly in cricket. Upon noticing his interest and potential in this sport, his parents encouraged him to pursue it further.
Cricket Career
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In cricket, Sorabji made his First-Class debut for Parsees against Europeans in the Bombay Quadrangular tournament in December 1932. During this time, his exceptional skills quickly garnered attention from many senior players and coaches alike.
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In the following years until the outbreak of World War II, Colah had a huge impact on Bombay’s cricket scene. He represented prominent teams like Parsis, Hindus and Bombay over a twelve-year-long illustrious career.
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As one of India’s key pre-independence cricketers, playing alongside notable players such as Vijay Merchant and CK Nayudu, Sorojbi took part in several crucial matches including five Test Match tours from 1936 to 1945.
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Sorabji played a total of 54 First-class matches scoring 2344 runs at an average of approximately 31. His highest score was observed in a match against Maharashtra during 1944-45 Ranji Trophy season, where he scored an impressive 119 runs.
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Despite never having received the chance to play international cricket for India following The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s decision not to send any touring parties abroad between 1936 and 1945 due to World War II, Colah continued to feature prominently in domestic circuits at home during this period.
Legacy and Achievements
Sorabji’s contributions to Indian first-class cricket set a significant benchmark for his contemporaries and future players alike. He is fondly remembered as one of the distinguished cricketers from an era that played a vital role in paving the way for future generations.
Although Sorabji passed away on July 9, 1998, his legacy lives on even today. A number of cricket tournaments across Mumbai are held in his name acknowledging the valuable imprint he left behind on cricket both locally and at the national level.
In conclusion, while Sorabj Colah may not have gained the same recognition internationally as some other cricketers of his time, it cannot be denied that he certainly had a profound impact within his country. His career offers valuable insights into the historic evolution of cricket in India before independence.
