Hanumant, a dashing strokeplayer who did not do justice to his class

Mumbai, Nov 29 (UNI) A classy batsman, Hanumant Singh, who passed away here this morning due to dengue, could not convert his form and class into the international arena despite scoring a century on debut for India against England at Delhi in 1964.

The 67-year-old's Test figures do not show the true class he had and he was also treated rather poorly by the selectors inspite of being a prolific run getter in the domestic matches.

A dashing strokeplayer, the Prince of Banswara, after the century in his first Test innings, came close to getting a hundred in the first Test against Australia at Madras the following season, but was out for 94.

He also did reasonably well in the rubbers against New Zealand and West Indies at home and on the tour of England in 1967. Then at the peak of his career, came the bolt from the blue when he was dropped for the tour of Australia.

Hanumant Singh played a total of 14 Tests for India scoring 686 runs at an average of 31.18 with one century and five half centuries.

He, however, continued to play with outstanding success in the Ranji Trophy and when he retired after a first-class career that stretched over 20 years, he had scored 6170 runs in the national competition, coming within striking distance of Vijay Hazare's then record total of 6312.

Hanumant Singh, also known as 'Chhotu,' scored 15 centuries and in the 1966-67 final against Bombay, he got 109 and 213 not out. That season he scored 869 runs (124.14) in the Ranji Trophy alone.

Hanumant was also a shrewd captain and led Central Zone to their first Duleep Trophy triumph in 1971-72. For long, an executive with the State Bank of India, Hanumant later also donned the mantle of national selector as well as playing a major part in setting up of the National Cricket Academy. He also became a respected ICC match referee.

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