Chingleput Gopinath, the last surviving player from India’s first Test-winning cricket team, has passed away at the age of 96, according to the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA). His death marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, with Gopinath remembered as a key figure in the country’s early international successes.

Gopinath was the second-oldest living Test cricketer globally, after Australia's Neil Harvey. He was part of the Indian team that secured its first-ever Test victory during a five-match series against England in 1951-52. Prior to this achievement, India had yet to win a Test match, having lost the initial six series they contested. While the team had managed several draws against strong opponents such as England, Australia, and the West Indies, it took nearly twenty years before recording a decisive win.

The breakthrough came in February 1952 during the series in Chennai, then called Madras. After three consecutive drawn matches and a subsequent defeat by England in the fourth Test, India delivered a commanding performance in the final match. The Indian side triumphed by an innings and eight runs, overturning England’s first-innings score of 266. Batting at number eight, Gopinath contributed 35 runs to India’s declared total of 457 for nine wickets. In the second innings, Indian bowlers led by Ghulam Ahmed and Vinoo Mankad dismantled England for 183 runs, sealing the historic win.

Gopinath had made his Test debut earlier in the series, when he scored an unbeaten 50 in his first innings—his only half-century across eight Test appearances. His performances in the 1951-52 series played a significant role in setting new standards for the Indian team, which until then had struggled to establish itself on the global stage.

The TNCA commemorated Gopinath as “a true pioneer of Indian cricket,” highlighting the enduring impact of his contributions on the sport’s history in the country. His legacy remains integral to the narrative of India’s rise in international cricket during the mid-20th century.