GUPTE, BALKRISHNA PANDHARINATH, died on July 5, 2005. He was 70. A prolific wicket-taker in Indian domestic cricket for Bombay, Bengal and Railways, "Baloo'' Gupte was overshadowed by his older brother - and fellow leg-spinner - Subhash Gupte. Baloo's Test debut came after his brother had been dropped, against Pakistan at Madras in 1960-61 - but he could not take a wicket. He earned a recall, having secured nine for 55 for West Zone in the 1962-63 Duleep Trophy final, but his three Tests brought only three wickets in all. However, he took 417 in first-class cricket.

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The younger brother of Subash Gupte, Baloo was also an orthodox legspin googly bowler who performed many notable feats in domestic cricket. But he could never attain the heights achieved by his elder brother. He was harshly treated on his Test debut on a perfect batting pitch against Pakistan at Madras in 1960-61, finishing wicketless after conceding 116 runs after bowling 35 overs. Surprisingly brought back against England at Kanpur three years later, he was again ineffective. And he did not do much better in his only other Test, against New Zealand at Calcutta the following season. In the Ranji Trophy, however Gupte was one of the leading wicket takers of his time and finished with 255 wickets (23.47). His innings figures of 9 for 55 for West Zone in the 1962-63 Duleep Trophy final against South Zone is still the best in the competition.
Partab Ramchand

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