Charismatic former Tamil Nadu skipper Belliappa no more

CHENNAI: Former Tamil Nadu captain and wicketkeeper batsman PK Belliappa passed away due to age-related illness in Bengaluru on Wednesday. He was 79 and is survived by his wife, son and daughter.
Known for his sense of humour and leadership skills, Belliappa - who opened the batting - featured in 94 first-class matches scoring 4061 runs. Behind the stumps, Belliappa took 93 catches and effected 46 stumpings.
B Kalyanasundaram, one of Belliappa's contemporaries, labeled him as a born leader."He was a shrewd thinker of the game. He would anticipate what the batsman was trying to do and adjust the field accordingly. He would always keep the atmosphere light with his wittiness. I am saddened and shocked by his demise," Kalyanasundaram told TOI. Kalyanasundaram revealed how Belliappa was active on a Whatsapp group with many former cricketers in it. "He sounded concerned about the decline in TN's Ranji performances over the last few seasons during our interactions. We would often text each other and with his death - I have lost a friend and mentor today," added Kalyanasundaram.
Former India spinner VV Kumar remembered Belliappa for the aura he brought to the field. "There would be many who would come to the ground once they knew Belliappa was at the crease. With his good looks Belliappa could have even gone on to make a career in the movies. Be it his charm or leadership qualities - Belliappa was second to none. Be it a youngster or the senior-most member of the team - everyone was treated equally," said Kumar.
Kumar recalled how Belliappa regretted losing the 1967-68 Ranji final to Bombay. "We scored 258 batting first. We had their star player Ashok Mankad caught at mid-on off my bowling. However, the umpire ruled not out and Ashok went on to score a hundred. Had that decision gone in our favour, we may have gone won the title which Bombay did thanks to their first-innings lead. Belliappa and every member of the team were upset with the result," Kumar said.