Bal Dani

Few Indian cricketers have had a better all round record in domestic cricket than `Bal' Dani. At the end of a career that spanned more than two decades, Dani finished with figures of 6459 runs (44.54), including 17 centuries and 198 wickets (21.97). In the Ranji Trophy he was simply superb with a tally of 4757 runs (48.05) with 15 hundreds and 145 wickets (19.10) from 78 matches. A sound right hand middle order batsman and a right arm medium pace bowler who could also bowl off and leg breaks, Dani was a tower of strength to the Services team in the national competition for several years with his all round skills, besides being a shrewd captain.

Unfortunately Dani's multitalented skills were not rewarded suitably when it came to selection to the Indian team. He played only one Test, took one wicket (that of Nazar Mohammed for a duck), latched on to a brilliant catch to dismiss Kardar but did not get to bat. He toured Pakistan in 1954-55 without playing a Test. Later he became a member of the National selection committee. (Partab Ramchand)