Former India player and Bengal stalwart cricketer Gopal Bose passes away

Former Bengal cricketer Gopal Bose who also played a single ODI for India has passed away in London. He was 71. After prolong kidney ailment, Gopal Bose passed away in London on Sunday morning. Gopal Bose along with his wife had gone to visit London where he fell ill. He was in ICU for three days. 

Gopal Bose, known for his ability to play long innings for his side as an opening batter played 78 first class matches with an average of 30.79. He also took 72 wickets in first class cricket. He started brilliantly in his Ranji career but later had a blip in the career once he was out of national contention. For India, he played a lone ODI against England in Oval where he scored 13 runs. He was a handy spinner too and managed to get the wicket of David Lyod. He never played for India after that. 

In the longer format, Gopal Bose came into national reckoning, after scoring 170 in Irani Trophy for Rest of India against Bombay. He was even selected for unofficial test in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. He scored a 100 opening with legendary Sunil Gavaskar. He was picked for 1974 England tour after that but failed to replicate that form in tour matches. Hence he didn't get a nod in the test matches but played an ODI for India. He was later chosen for the home series against West Indies, but didn't make the first 11. He was never picked for India later. 

As a sports administrator, Bose had a long association with cricket. He was Bengal selector and coach of the junior team. He was the manager of the U-19 World Cup team led by Virat Kohli which lifted the trophy in 2008. He remained an active voice giving his views about various facets of the game till the end.