GUWAHATI, June 9 - A leading cricketer of Assam Tapan Kumar Baruah passed away at a local nursing home here this morning. He was 80. Baruah played for Assam in the Ranji Trophy from 1954 to 1965. Altogether, he played 16 first class matches, including a zonal match against a visiting West Indies team at Jorhat on January 9 and 10, 1958.
Baruah made his Ranji debut in the 1954-55 season against Bihar at Jorhat and hung his boots after the 1965 season playing his last match against Bihar at Jamshedpur. He scored 546 runs with 58 being the highest. He faced world�s fastest bowler of that period like Wes Hall of West Indies in the Jorhat match.
Baruah was superintending manager of George Williamson Tea Company from where he retired in the year 1991.
Apart from cricket he was a keen follower of tennis. Baruah was former president of India Club and vice-president of All Assam Tennis Association. His death was widely mourned by the sporting fraternity of the State. Assam Cricket Association will keep its flag half mast for three days in his respect. The Veteran Cricket Association, All Assam Tennis Association, India Club also paid homage to the renowned sportsperson.
He leaves behind his wife Nibedita Baruah, two sons and a daughter-Biswaroop, Jyotiroop, Nupur and a host of relatives.
