First Mangalorean Ranji Cricketer K G Rao Passes Away
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SB)
Mangalore, Aug 5: Veteran Ranji player and Mangalore's first, Krishnapur Ganapati Rao (90) passed away at a private hospital here on Wednesday Aug 4.
Rao, who started his career in cricket in 1956-1957 after being selected for Ranji team of Mysore state (present Karnataka) scored 125 runs in his debut match, which was played against Kerala. What was interesting is that it was also the first Ranji match played in Mangalore. He was a wicket-keeper and played five first class matches.
His cricketing interest blossomed when he was employed in Mumbai after his education in Mangalore. A close associate of Vijay Merchant, Dattu Fadkar and Vijay Hazare, he played for Madras as well as Mysore teams in Ranji matches. Once he returned to Mangalore, he played for the sports club here and went on to make many a records. Even after retirement, he encouraged budding cricketers being trained at Nehru Maidan.
He is survived by nine children - four sons including Sunil Rao, former national level athlete and five daugthers. Including district in-charge minister J Krishna Palemar, Mangalore south MLA N Yogish Bhat, Mulki-Moodbidri MLA Abhaychandra Jain and Sports Promoters Club president A Sadanand Shetty several prominent personalities have condoled the veteran cricketer's death.