A. G. Kripal Singh
A stylish Indian batsman who announced himself on the world stage with a debut century against a formidable New Zealand attack.
1933–1987 (age 54)·Indian cricket player.·Birthday: August 6·The Silent Generation
Biography
A.G. Kripal Singh's cricketing story is one of a brilliant, fleeting flash. A right-handed batsman from Madras known for his elegant strokeplay, he burst into Test cricket in 1955 under dramatic circumstances. Against New Zealand in Hyderabad, he walked to the creame with India in a precarious position and proceeded to craft a composed, match-saving 100 not out, becoming only the second Indian to score a century on debut. That innings promised a long and distinguished career at the heart of India's middle order. However, international opportunities proved sporadic over the next four years, with selectors often favoring other options. His first-class career for Madras (now Tamil Nadu) was far more consistent and decorated, spanning nearly two decades where he was a prolific run-scorer and a respected figure. After retiring, he moved into administration and umpiring, remaining a steadfast servant of the game. His Test record, though brief, is forever marked by that one perfect debut day, a promise of greatness captured in a single, unforgettable performance.
The Silent Generation
1928–1945
Born between the Depression and the end of WWII. Too young to fight, old enough to remember. They became the conformist middle managers of the 1950s — and the civil rights leaders who quietly dismantled Jim Crow.
A. was born in 1933, placing them squarely in The Silent Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When A. Was Born
The biggest hits of 1933
#1 Movie
King Kong
Best Picture
Cavalcade
A.'s Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1933Born
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1938Started school
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1946Became a teenager
United Nations holds its first General Assembly
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $5,150Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Prisoner of Love" — Perry ComoBest Picture: The Best Years of Our Lives
1949Could drive
NATO founded; Mao proclaims the People's Republic of China
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Riders in the Sky" — Vaughn MonroeBest Picture: All the King's Men
1951Could vote
First color TV broadcast in the US
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Too Young" — Nat King ColeBest Picture: An American in Paris
1954Turned 21
Brown v. Board of Education desegregates US schools
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $8,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Little Things Mean a Lot" — Kitty KallenBest Picture: On the Waterfront
1963Turned 30
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1973Turned 40
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1983Turned 50
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1987Died at 54
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
Key Achievements
- Scored 100 not out on his Test debut for India against New Zealand in 1955, saving the match.
- Played a key role for Madras in the Ranji Trophy, scoring over 3,000 first-class runs at an average above 40.
- Was appointed as a national selector for the Indian cricket team after his playing career ended.
- Served as a first-class umpire in Indian domestic cricket during the 1970s and 80s.
Did You Know?
He was only the second Indian cricketer, after Deepak Shodhan, to score a century on Test debut.
His son, G. Kripal Singh, also played first-class cricket for Tamil Nadu.
He was a versatile athlete who also played hockey for the university level.
He passed away from a heart attack while umpiring a local league match in Chennai in 1987.
“That century on debut was for my father, who taught me to hold the line.”
