Thiruvananthapuram, July 13 (BPNS)

One of the classy opening batter of Kerala and former captain of the state Ranji trophy team, O.K. Ramdas (74) passed away here on Wednesday due to a heart attack.

He was admitted to Sree Chithira Institute of Medical Sciences here. Two weeks before he suffered a stroke and was recovering when he had a major heart attack on Wednesday and passed away.

Ramdas entered the world of cricket through Kannur cricket club and debuted in Ranji trophy for the state in the year 1970 at the age of 20. He was the top scorer for the team for three seasons from 1970 to 1973.

In first-class cricket, he has to his credit 1647 runs from 68 innings in 35 matches, including 11 half-centuries. He captained the SBT cricket team as well and retired as the Sports Manager of SBT. His former team members remember him as a stylish opening bat with a straight bat and was considered a gentleman cricketer and a highly rated team man.

P. Balachandran, respected coach and former captain of Kerala Ranji trophy team while speaking to IANS said, “Ramdas was a straight bat and was a stylish opener who tackled the new ball easily. He was our mentor during my debut in 1978 and was always a team man. The then Kerala team had a good opening pair of O.K. Ramdas and Suvi Gopalakrishnan which was a formidable one against any bowling attack.”

He served as the Kerala Ranji trophy selection committee chairman and was also a BCCI match referee. He is survived by his wife Sobha and son Kapil Ramdas.

The mortal remains of Ramdas will be taken to his home district Kannur where his funeral will be held at the public crematorium on Thursday.