B. B. Nimbalkar

Bhausaheb Babasaheb Nimbalkar (12 December 1919 – 11 December 2012), usually known as B. B. Nimbalkar, was an Indian cricketer, best known for his score of 443 not out[1] during the 1948–49 Ranji Trophy, which remains the highest score, and the only quadruple century, in Indian first-class cricket. His score remains the highest by a cricketer not to have played in Test Cricket.

B. B. Nimbalkar
Personal information
Full nameBhausaheb Babasaheb Nimbalkar
Born12 December 1919
Kolhapur, Bombay Presidency, British India
Died11 December 2012 (aged 92)
Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
RoleBatsman
Occasional wicket-keeper
RelationsR. B. Nimbalkar (brother), S. B. Nimbalkar (son)
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1939–1940Baroda
1941–1950Maharashtra
1943–1958Holkar
1955Madhya Bharat
1956–1958Rajasthan
1958–1963Railways
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 80
Runs scored 4841
Batting average 47.93
100s/50s 12/22
Top score 443*
Balls bowled 4092
Wickets 58
Bowling average 40.22
5 wickets in innings 0
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 4/56
Catches/stumpings 37/10
Source: CricketArchive, 11 December 2012

His son, Suryaji Nimbalkar, also played for both Railways and Maharashtra.[2]

Early life

Nimbalkar was born in Kolhapur. He had his early education at the Model School in Kolhapur, and captained the school team at the age of 15. He made his Ranji Trophy debut in 1939 against Baroda.[3] His older brother, Raosaheb Nimbalkar, also regularly played first-class cricket, and often appeared alongside him in matches.[4]

Career

During the 1948–49 Ranji Trophy, playing for Maharashtra against Kathiawar at Pune, Nimbalkar made 443 not out, at the time second only to Don Bradman's 452 not out as the record first-class innings and currently fourth-highest of all-time. He was unable to break the record because, with the total standing at 826 for 4 at the lunch interval, the opposing captain, the Thakore Saheb of Rajkot, conceded the match to prevent embarrassment on the part of his team. However, Bradman sent a personal note to Nimbalkar saying that he considered Nimbalkar's innings better than his own.[5][6]

Despite an impressive batting average of 56.72 in Ranji Trophy matches, and his additional abilities as a wicket-keeper and a fast-medium bowler, Nimbalkar never played Test cricket during a first-class career that stretched from 1939–40 to 1964–65.

Later years and death

Nimbalkar died in December 2012, aged 92.[7]

References
  1. "Babasaheb Nimbalkar passes away". Wisden India. 11 December 2012. Archived from the original on 6 February 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  2. Suryaji Nimbalkar – CricketArchive. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  3. Former Ranji cricketer Nimbalkar dead – The Hindu. Published 12 December 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  4. Raosaheb Nimbalkar – CricketArchive. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
  5. "First Indian who came close to Bradman, BB Nimbalkar passes away". DNA. 11 December 2012.
  6. Frindall, Bill (2009). Ask Bearders. BBC Books. p. 81. ISBN 978-1-84607-880-4.
  7. Former India first-class player Nimbalkar dies – ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
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