Ramakant Desai

Ramakant Desai Biography

Small enough as a medium pacer to be nicknamed ‘Tiny’, Desai overcame his 5 feet 4 inch frame to deliver balls fast enough to be the Indian spearhead for most of the 1960s.

In helpful conditions, he could be quite a handful, as he showed at Lord’s in 1959. Sadly, he seldom got the luxury to bowl on grassy wickets with moisture in the air.

Yet, on docile Indian tracks, he could make a batsman of the ability of Hanif Mohammad struggle against his bouncer. He got Hanif out 4 times in 9 innings.

Desai was a handy batsman as well, and scored 85 against Pakistan at Brabourne Stadium in 1960-61, adding 149 for the ninth wicket with ‘Nana’ Joshi. Another excellent effort was the unbeaten 32 after being hit on the jaw at Dunedin in 1967-68.

From both cricket and life he departed early. He retired from the game when only 30 and died at 58. But he is affectionately remembered by those who saw his tiny frame strain itself in an effort to carry the unfamiliar burden of pace for the Indian team of the 1960s.

Desai later became Chairman of Selectors. It was an eventful tenure when he appointed and sacked Sachin Tendulkar as Indian captain.

Arunabha Sengupta

Ramakant Desai Batting & Fielding Averages

Career

Avg

100s

50s

Test

ODIs

T20s

World Cup

Ramakant Desai Bowling Averages

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