The first to learn cricket from the English in the 19th century Parsis still excel in the game in many parts of the world
Kersi Meher-Homji
In all, 11 Parsis have represented India in Test cricket. Two of them, Soli Colah and Piloo Palia, played in India’s inaugural Test match against England at Lord’s in 1932. The others were Rustomji Jamshedji, Kharshed Meher-Homji (my uncle), Rusi Modi, Keki Tarapore, Jehangir Irani, Polly Umrigar, Nari Contractor, Rusi Surti and Farokh Engineer.
Umrigar and Contractor captained India in 1950s and 60s. All-rounder Surti later played Sheffield Shield and became the first from Queensland to take a hat-trick in 1969, vs Western Australia in Perth.
The peak was reached during the 1961-62 tour of West Indies when four (skipper Contractor, former......