Prakash Bhandari

Prakash Bhandari Biography

Prakash Bhandari was an attractive strokeplayer, a probing off-spinner, and a spectacular fielder. His footwork was exemplary, and he stepped out to spinners to clear the ground.

His job at Tata meant travel, which led to him play for Delhi, Bengal, and Bihar. In 63 matches he scored 2,552 runs at 33 and claimed 122 wickets at 28. Sadly, he could never translate these to the highest level. His 3 Tests (across 3 series) fetched a mere 77 runs, and he was asked to bowl a mere 13 overs.

Bhandari rose to fame in the Rohinton Baria Trophy of 1952-53, where his tally read 316 runs at 57 and 10 wickets at 24. The next season he routed Agra University with 114 and 9 for 69. By then he had become a Delhi regular. In 1954-55 he was selected for the Pakistan tour. He got a chance in the final Test at Karachi but scored only 19.

He earned a recall against New Zealand in 1955-56, where he scored a brisk 39. A year later he scored 17 and 2 against Australia in what turned out to be his last Test. He was 20 at this stage.

In 1957-58 he became the first cricketer to score a double-hundred (227) and take 9 wickets (4 for 34 and 5 for 47) in a Ranji Trophy match. In 1960-61 he scored a hundred in an hour against Rajasthan, then the fastest First-Class hundred in Indian domestic cricket. The following season he smashed 202 not out in 210 minutes against Punjab, helping Delhi reach 337 for 8 after they were 54 for 6. He played till 1970-71.

Abhishek Mukherjee

Prakash Bhandari Batting & Fielding Averages

Career

Avg

100s

50s

Test

ODIs

T20s

World Cup

Prakash Bhandari Bowling Averages

Career	M	B	R	W	Avg	EC	SR	5WI	10WM	BBI	BBM
Test	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
ODIs	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
T20s	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--
World Cup	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--	--		--