Life-size images of Hashim Amla, the Pollock brothers – Graeme and Peter, Jonty Rhodes and other South African cricketers, who owe their roots to Durban, gaze down at you, as you stroll the corridors of the Kingsmead Stadium. Placed alongside them are unknowns M.I Yusuf and Ishmail ‘Baboo’ Ebrahim and countless other cricketers of Indian origin who never were able to play cri-cket at the top level, but occupy a prominent position in Durban’s cricket history.
There are about one million Indians in South Africa, out of which 800,000 live in Durban. ‘Indianness’ oozes from every corner of this coastal city and the same is the case with cricket.
During the isolation period from 1960’s to 1990s, Indians formed their own cricket body so that there would always be a representation of sub-continent players, al-though never having been able to make it to international cricket still rankles a few.
“There were many players like Barry Richards that world never really saw much of, but there were lots of sub-continental origins too who could’ve played in that period. They just weren’t noticed,” says Jay Naidoo, a third generation South African Indian who once managed the Nashua Dolphins, and now the Manager of Playing Affairs of the Cricket Union.
Legend has it that Baboo, an orthodox left-arm spinner, took 6-66 in an exhibition match against a side full of international stars including Greg Chappell, Mike Denness and David Shephard.
Post-isolation, people of Indian descent have gained ground and now run 60 per cent of cricket schools and academies in Durban.
A few years ago, not many would’ve bet on players like Amla and Pak-born leg spinner Imran Tahir playing for the country. It’s a dream that comes true in this divided nation.