AG Ram Singh (1908-1999) (12 August 1999)

12 August 1999

AG Ram Singh - 1908-1999

Anand Vasu

On 12th August 1999, arguably Tamil Nadu's greatest cricketer AG Ram Singh passed away. Ram Singh was 91.

Ram Singh never played an official Test for India, though he represented India in two unofficial Test matches. Ram Singh came close to playing an official Test for India, but was denied because the selectors believed he had a heart problem. Just before the 1946 tour of England, an incident that happened during a selection match sparked off this belief. In the course of his innings, Ram Singh asked for some cold water. After he drank the water, Ram Singh developed cramps and had to retire. This led the selectors and some prominent Indian cricketers to believe that Ram singh had a heart condition.

Ram Singh, originally from Amritsar, adopted Madras as his second home and established himself as a top class all-rounder. Ram Singh's adoption as a Tamilian was made complete with the initials he acquired! When he first moved to Madras, Ram Singh found that it was essential that his name had the same sort of structure as the locals. As was the convention, his first name stood for the place he came from - the holy city of Amritsar. For his second name one had to look for a caste or family name. When none was forthcoming, Ram Singh's faith in Guru Gobind was brought to the fore, And Ram Singh thus became Amritsar Gurugobind Ram Singh!

Ram Singh's control of the ball is legendary. There are still anecdotes of him being able to land a ball on a coin placed on the pitch! What is indisputable is Ram Singh's ability as a batsman, especially so behind the wicket. From the cut shot, to the pull, to the shot arm jab, Ram Singh had mastered the knack of playing the ball behind the wicket.

Ram Singh picked up the first ever wicket to fall in Ranji Trophy history. In 1934-35, playing against Mysore in the first ever match Ranji match, Ram Singh picked up 11 wickets, spinning Tamil Nadu to victory in just one day! Ram Singh's exploits in the Madras Presidency are legendary, and none more so than the Presidency match of 1936 versus the Europeans. Ram Singh came in to bat at number three and top-scored with 70. With the ball he notched figures of, 9.3-3-14-8 and 12-0-34-5 taking his team to an easy victory!

Ram Singh continued to contribute richly to Tamil Nadu cricket, as a coach, in his later years. It was during his tenure as coach in 1955-56 that Madras clinched the Trophy. Some of his wards, including, CR Rangachari, Salim Durrani, VV Kumar and S Venkataraghavan went on to do the nation proud on the world stage.

Ram Singh's sons AG Kripal Singh and AG Milkha Singh went on to represent India. Ram Singh's third son, Satwender Singh played cricket for Tamil Nadu. His grandchildren Harjinder Singh and Arjan Kripal Singh have represented Tamil Nadu. The Ram Singh family has contributed richly to Indian, and specifically Tamil Nadu cricket.

AG Ram Singh was a legend in Tamil Nadu cricket circles. His death comes as a reminder of a different age, when cricket was a gentleman's game. AG Ram Singh will be remembered as one of the gentleman cricketers of Tamil Nadu.

Source :: CricInfo