Ramnath Parkar Tribute (12 August 1999)

12 August 1999

Ramnath Parkar - 1946-1999

Mohandas Menon

Ramanth Dhondu Parkar, former India and Mumbai opening batsman passed away on Wednesday evening, 11th August at the Lokmanya Tilak hospital, Sion, Mumbai. Born at Mumbai on 31st October, 1946, Parkar was aged 52 years at the time of his death. He had been paralysed after a road accident in 1996 and had since been confined to bed. He had shown some signs of recovery after being examined by Japanese doctors some time back. He was admitted to hospital four days ago, after contracting jaundice.

He was an attacking right hand opening batsman and appeared in two Test matches against Tony Lewis' MCC in 1972-73. He appeared in the Delhi and Calcutta Tests. His scores read: 4 & 35; 26 & 15. He was dropped for the third Test at Madras, when the selectors decided to try out Chetan Chauhan and Farokh Engineer as openers.

He had made his First-class debut way back in January 1965 in the Moin-ud-Dowla Tournament in Hyderabad for the Vazir Sultan Colts XI. He had to wait for more than six years to appear in his maiden Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay) in February 1971, against Delhi in the quarterfinal match. His scores being 16 & 26 (not out). His selection in the team was facilitated by the absence of the main Mumbai players who were touring the Caribbean at that time.

In the very next match, the semi-final against Bengal at Calcutta he scored a brilliant 101 (in 198 mins, 19 fours). Hooking and driving with great power he helped his team to a formidable total after Mumbai had lost two wickets for just 68 runs. In the final against Maharashtra at the Brabourne Stadium he scored 108 (223 mins, 15 fours). On the opening day, he rescued Mumbai from 12 for three with a stand of 142 runs with the late Ajit Naik (42) which enabled Mumbai reach a respectable total. It would be fair to say that Parkar's contributions were responsible for Mumbai retaining the 1970-71 Ranji Trophy in the absence of its regular stars.

The next season was perhaps his best. He scored 496 runs (avg 49.60) in seven Ranji Trophy matches, which included a 144 against Baroda - in a low scoring match. In the Ranji semi-final against Mysore he had scores of 89 & 95 - the top scores of the match. During the same season he scored a 131 (240 mins, 17 fours and 1 five) against East Zone at Jamshedpur - his debut in the championships. He and Gavaskar put on 225 for the first wicket.

He came into national prominence in October, 1972 when he made an outstanding 195 in the second innings in just 225 mins, hitting 27 fours for Mumbai against the Rest of India at Pune in the Irani Cup encounter. The opposition's attack included Pandurang Salgaonkar (then considered the fastest in the land), Madan Lal, Bishen Bedi, S Venkatraghavan, and EAS Prasanna. He had also top-scored with a 70 in the first innings.

He became a surety for the opening spot in the Indian Test team after his 59 for the Board President's XI against the MCC in the opening tour match at Hyderabad.

In all he appeared in 52 Ranji matches upto 1980-81. He scored 2862 runs (avg 38.16) with six hundreds and 13 fifties. He highest score was 197 against Hyderabad at Hyderabad in 1974-75. He also represented West Zone in the Duleep Trophy in five matches scoring 192 runs (avg 32.00). He appeared in six Irani Trophy matches scoring 490 runs (avg 49.00).

In 65 first-class matches he amassed 4455 runs (avg 33.75) including eight hundreds.

He was considered one of the best fielders of his time, and some of his catches in the outfield were simply outstanding. His 40 catches in 52 Ranji Trophy matches bears testimony to this fact.

During this year, the BCCI and Mumbai CA organised a benefit match for him.

He is survived by his wife, son and daughter.

Many former Indian cricketers who were associated with Parkar have come forward and expressed their grief over his death. Dilip Vengsarkar, said India and Mumbai lost a great cricketer and a very fine human being. "This is such sad news... He was one of the best fielders I have seen."

Ashok Mankad, remembers Parkar as a great team man. "I am sad because we have lost a fine person, and doubly sad because I could not see him after the accident. I pray to the Almighty that his soul may rest in peace."

Sudhir Naik, former India opener and Parkar's colleague since their days with Tata, said, "He was an exciting bat, and a lively person. I have always seen him in a jolly mood. I have lost a great colleague."

Source :: Mohandas Menon