Rohan Kanhai

Rohan Kanhai is a former professional cricket player from British Guiana. He played for the West Indies Cricket Team, the Windies, from 1954 to 1974. Appearing in 79 Test matches, Kanhai is considered one of the best batsmen in the sport, especially in the 1960s.

In 1975, he was part of the West Indies team that went on to win the 1975 Cricket World Cup.

Player Bio and Personal Life

Kanhai was born on December 26, 1935, in Port Mourant, British Guiana. His full name is Rohan Bholall Kanhai. He is a right-handed player and he batted bowled with his right hand. He played the role of batsman but was also utilized as a wicket-keeper in his first few outings with the Windies.

He is the uncle of the first-class cricketer, Tyron Ranjit Etwaroo.

West Indies Career

He made his first test with the West Indies on May 30, 1957, in a game against England which was held in Edgbaston. He would later be known as one of the best batsmen in the 1960s but for his first three Test matches, he played wicket-keeper.

Throughout his active career, he was best known for his shooting style referred to as, “Falling off the Hook”.

He became the West Indies Captain, late in his career. He replaced Gary Sobers.

His last Test was on March 30, 1974. At this time, he was already one of the most celebrated batsmen in Cricket. Throughout his career with the Windies, he had made 79 appearances.

One Day International

He made his One Day International (ODI) debut in September 1973, playing 7 matches in total. His final ODI appearance was in June 1975.

First Class Cricket Career

Aside from his career with the Windies, Kanhai also had a booming domestic career. He played First-Class cricket for teams like Berbice, the Western Warriors, Tasmanian Tigers, and Warwickshire County. Other teams, he played for include Transvaal and Tasmania.

Other cricket greats that he played alongside and against included John Jameson, Dennis Amiss, Lance Gibbs, Garfield Sobers, and Alvin Kallicharran.

Legacy

Trinidadian historian and writer Cyril Lionel Robert James once wrote of Kanhai as “The high peak of West Indian Cricketing development”.

Following his professional career with the Windies, he took on a coaching role for the Under-19s and the Test Team. He started in 1992 and retired from the position in 1995.

Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar named his son in honor of Kanhai. Australian cricketer Bob Holland also named his son Rohan.

He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.

West Indies Career Information

First Test: May 30, 1957

Last Test: March 30, 1974

ODI Debut: September 05, 1973

Last ODI: June 21, 1975