In a matter of few weeks, Mumbai cricket has lost two prominent names.

After Dadar Union stalwart P K 'Joe' Kamath (81), former India pace bowler G R Sunderam (80) left for Elysian Fields yesterday. The affable Sunderam, who played two Tests against the touring New Zealanders in 1955-56, also played for Rajasthan Club and state.

Balwinder Singh Sandhu, the 1983 World Cupper remembers Sunderam being a very good captain to play under at Rajasthan Sports Club. "He was captain when we won the 'A' division Kanga League title in 1979. He showed us how to enjoy playing together.

As a bowler, he could be deceptive. Deception is the key to getting wickets and when he surprised the batsman with a quicker one, he invariably got a wicket and this stuck in my mind," recalled Sandhu, who attended Sunderam's funeral in Andheri yesterday.

"Parthasarthy Sharma (Test player of the 1970s) used to play for our club too, and we were witness to some interesting cricketing discussions. It drove home the point that you can learn more off the field than on it," added Sandhu.

Veteran journalist G K Menon, who was Sunderam's manager in the 1952 champion Bombay University team, remembers Sunderam beating the legendary Vijay Merchant in the nets, something which also played a role in his India selection.

Sunderam's son Pradeep bagged ten wickets in an innings for Rajasthan in the 1985-86 Ranji Trophy season which made him a probable for the 1986 tour of England.