Rohan Kanhai: 10 facts to know about the West Indian batsman
Rohan Kanhai, born on December 26, 1935, is one of the greatest batsmen to have played for the West Indies.
By: Nishad Pai Vaidya
Rohan Kanhai, born on December 26, 1935, is one of the greatest batsmen to have played for the West Indies. Kanhai was an inspiration to many cricketers, which includes India legend Sunil Gavaskar. He was the second man of Indian origin to play for West Indies and the first to lead them.
Nishad Pai Vaidya picks 10 facts you should know about Kanhai.
1. Second player of Indian origin to play for West Indies
Sonny Ramadhin was the first man of Indian roots to play for the West Indies. He had played for them in 1950. Seven years later, Kanhai became the second man of Indian origin to play for the West Indies.
2. Highest score by a visiting batsman against India until 2005
When Kanhai scored 256 for West Indies against India in Kolkata in 1958, it was the highest score by a visiting batsman in India. The record stood for 47 years until Younis Khan scored 267 in Bangalore in 2005.
3. Highest score in Eden Gardens until the VVS Laxman marathon
Kanhai was the first man to score a Test double at the Eden Gardens. His 256 remained the only double ton at the Eden Gardens until VVS Laxman scripted that epic 281 against Australia in 2001. Wasim Jaffer is the only other batsman to hit a double century at the iconic venue.
4. Two 400-plus stands
In First-Class cricket, Kanhai was involved in two 400-plus partnerships. In 1974, he put up an unbeaten stand of 465 for the second wicket with John Jameson for Warwickshire against Gloucestershire. This was a record in First-Class cricket until the early 1990s when Lalchand Rajput put up 475 with Zahir Alam for Assam. In 1968, Kanhai had put up a 402-run stand for the fourth wicket with Khalid Ibadulla for Warwickshire against Nottinghamshire.
5. Inspiration to many
Kanhai was an inspiration to many people, so much so that they named their sons after him. Sunil Gavaskar named his son Rohan. The legendary Bob Marley and Alvin Kallicharran, Kanhai’s teammate, also named their respective sons after Kanhai.
6. Nephew also a Test cricketer
Kanhai’s nephew Mahendra Nagamootoo also represented the West Indies. Vishal Nagamootoo, Mahendra’s brother, also played for Guyana.
7. Sunil Gavaskar’s hero
For a major part of his younger days, Gavaskar was enamoured by Kanhai and had famously written in his book Idols, “Rohan Kanhai is quite simply the greatest batsman I have ever seen. What does one write about one’s hero, one’s idol, one for whom there is so much admiration?†Gavaskar was fortunate to have played alongside Kanhai during the World XI series in Australia in 1971-72.
8. First player of Indian origin to captain West Indies
Kanhai captained West Indies in 13 Tests in 1973-74. He became the first man of Indian origin to lead the West Indies at the highest level. Alvin Kallicharran, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Daren Ganga, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Denesh Ramdin are some of the other players of Indian origin to have captained West Indies.
9. Domestic teams
For a major part of his career, Kanhai represented Guyana and Warwickshire. However, he has played one match for Trinidad and Tobago in 1965, against Australia. He has also played a few games for the South African side Transvaal. He represented Western Australia as well.
10. World Series Cricket
In 1979, Kanhai was a part of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket. He represented the World Series Cricket Cavaliers, where he played alongside Eddie Barlow, John Snow, Kerry O’Keefe, Albert Padmore and John Snow to name a few.
