Former Indian wicketkeeper Budhi Kunderan dead

Jun 23, 2006, 16:47 GMT

New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) Budhi Kunderan, the swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman of the sixties, passed away in Scotland Friday after suffering from lung cancer, reports reaching here said.

He was 66, and is survived by his wife and two sons. A flashy wicket-keeper-batsman, Kunderan scored 981 runs, with two centuries and three half-centuries at an average of 32.70 in 18 Test matches.

In his first class career, the Karnataka-born Budhisagar Krishnappa Kunderan aggregated 5,708 runs at an average of 28.97 with a highest score of 205. He played local cricket in Mumbai but represented the old Mysore state in Ranji Trophy and South Zone in Duleep Trophy.

Kunderan made his debut in 1960 against the Richie Benaud-led Australian team. He became the first wicket-keeper in Test history to pass 500 runs, including a career best 192 at Madras, in a series against England. He achieved the feat in the 1963-1964 series.

He also opened the bowling for India in a Test in England in 1967 when Indian pace-bowling attack was depleted.

After his playing days, he settled in Scotland and got married there.

© 2006 Indo-Asian News Service