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Hunte was one of a kind

When I came on the Indian cricket scene, Sir Conrad Hunte, the solid opening batsman of the West Indies, was virtually on his way out. Not because he was doing badly in batting, but because he felt that he had something else waiting for him.

He was a fine cricketer as well as a fine human being. One of the best opening batsmen the West Indies have ever produced, he had solid defence, and when he went on attack there were few bowlers who could get him out.

I remember the first Test match that I played against him, at Calcutta in 1967. Because of a poor decision by one of the umpires who gave an Indian batsmen out, the crowd went on the rampage and set the stadium on fire. The Indian players could feel the impact of the tear gas shells in the dressing room. While the rampaging crowd ran all over and the police tried to control the mob, Hunte stood on the ground and ensured that the West Indian flag was brought down safe and sound. Very few players would do such a thing and I was very impressed with the gesture.

I was merely a kid when I played against the mighty West Indian team. I guess I might have got him out a couple of times. I would compare him with Desmond Haynes as far as class is concerned.

A brilliant cricketer, Hunte retired early because he felt that he had some social obligation towards society. He was the pillar behind the movement of moral rearmament and worked with some of the leading Indians on this front. The cricketing world will surely be poorer without him. I salute this proud West Indian player of immense potential.

As told to Onkar Singh.