Indian Bowlers on Lord's Honor Board

#5 Ramakant Desai

Ramakant Desai

Ramakant Desai, who was also known as 'Tiny', was perhaps the first genuine fast bowler of free India. Only 5 feet 6 inches tall and with a thin body frame, he was quick enough to surprise and unsettle batsmen with bouncers. In 1959, he got the chance to play all the 5 Tests in England. He lacked experience and proved expensive and failed to leave any significant impact.

But amidst insipid performances, he enjoyed the wondrous moment of picking five-wicket haul at Lord's and feature his name on the Honors Board. Indian team was dismissed at 168 in the first innings. In England's first inning, Desai picked 5 for 89 to restrict them at 226. India lost the Test eventually but his figures of 31.4-8-89-5 provided a sign that India has potential to produce fast bowlers. He stayed the lead of the Indian bowling attack for few years thereafter.