A. G. Kripal Singh

Who was A. G. Kripal Singh?

Amritsar Govindsingh Kripal Singh was an Indian Test cricketer. Kripal Singh came from a famous cricketing family. His father A.G. Ram Singh was unlucky not to play for India, brother Milkha Singh was a Test cricketer, another brother, two sons and nephew all played first class cricket. He was an attacking batsman and a useful off spin bowler.

He played a leading role in Tamil Nadu winning the Ranji Trophy in 1954/55 scoring 636 runs and taking 13 wickets. In the semifinal against Bengal he hit 98 and 97 - the second innings runs came out of a total of 139 allout in which no one else reached double figures - and took 4 for 18 in the second innings. Kripal had university exams at the time of the final and was granted a postponement by the university. In the final against Holkar he scored 75 and 91 and seven wickets in a narrow victory. Earlier in the season he scored his career best score of 208 against Travancore-Cochin.

Picked for the series against New Zealand in the following season, he scored 100* on his debut. That was to remain his only Test hundred. He scored two other fifties, one a defiant 53 against West Indies in 1958/59.