Name Hindi: बूढ़ी कुंदरन / Gender Man
Budhi Kunderan: A Stellar Cricketer in Indian History
Regarded as one of the most notable wicketkeeper-batsmen in Indian cricket history, Budhaditya ‘Budhi’ Kunderan was an exceptional player known for his aggressive style and vital contributions to the Indian cricket team during the 1960s.
Early Life and Cricketing Career
Born on October 2, 1939, into a Goan family in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India, he moved to Karnataka in his early years where he polished his craftsmanship. As a young cricketer, he displayed impressive talent while playing for St Joseph’s school in Bangalore and quickly rose through the ranks at regional levels.
National Debut & Contributions
Kunderan made his debut into international cricket in 1960 against Pakistan under Nari Contractor’s captaincy. However, it was during the England tour of India in 1961-62 that Kunderan began showing signs of extraordinary potential as a frontline batsman besides performing brilliantly as a wicketkeeper.
- In his total Test career spanning from 1960-67, he played 18 test matches scoring a total of 981 runs with an average of 32.70.
- His highest score in Tests was an incredible inning of 192 against England at Madras (now Chennai) in Feb 1964.
- Notably, he stood out for dual roles – being both opening batsman and wicketkeeper – which is quite rare in cricket.”/>
Late Career and Post-retirement
Post-1967, Kunderan’s cricket career was somewhat overshadowed by Farokh Engineer’s rising prominence who then became India’s premier wicketkeeper-batsman. He played his last Test match for India against the West Indies in March 1967.
After retiring from cricket, Budhi Kunderan moved to Scotland where he worked in a distillery and later managed pubs. Regrettably, this renowned cricketer passed away on June 23, 2006, due to lung cancer at the age of 66.
Legacy
Budhi Kunderan left an indelible mark on Indian cricket with his unique attacking style of play and exceptional performances, which not only won him immense appreciation during his time but continues to inspire aspiring players even today. His life exemplifies how passion combined with talent can lead to extraordinary success.
