Born on 13th April 1950 in Bombay (Mumbai), Maharashtra, is former Test player for India, Behroze Fram Edulji.
Behroze was a left-arm pace bowler for Bombay and West Zone, playing alongside her sister Diana who would one day become the Test captain of India. These two were Parsi girls which is significant. The Bombay Parsis were the first local Indians to take up the game of cricket and organised a match against the local Europeans in 1877. They also sent teams to England in 1886 and 1888. The Eduljis were born with cricket pulsing through their veins.
One of the earliest recorded matches featuring Behroze is the final of the Senior National Women’s Cricket Championship at Nehru Stadium, Poona in 1972/73 between Bombay and Maharashtra. She opens the bowling for Bombay with her sister Diana and takes 3-1 in the first innings and 2-15 in the second. Bombay win by 10 wickets and are champions.
New Zealand toured India in 1975/76 and played a series of five unofficial Tests, the second of which was Behroze’s First Class debut. There is a reasonable debate suggesting that this five Test series be made official and if so the match would have been Behroze’s Test debut.
When the West Indies toured India for a six Test match series in 1976/77, it would be the debut for the home side in Test cricket. The first Test match was played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore and Behroze Edulji made her Test debut alongside the entire India team, captained by Shantha Rangaswamy. Diana was also selected in the team. No toss was recorded for this most important match in India’s cricket history! It ended in a draw and Behroze took no wickets, nor did she bat. It was the only one of the six Tests in which she took part, but to be a part of the first ever is a feather in her cap and makes her an important part of the history.
Behroze went on tour with the Indian team to Australia and New Zealand in 1976/77 but took no part in the Test matches, just the tour games. The one single Test against the West Indies remains her only Test match appearance.
“Very jovial, loving Parsee girl and would have made a great commentator. Unfortunately some legendary women cricketers of India missed out on such opportunities due to limited radio commentary and practically no tv coverage.” Raju Dholakia