Probir Kumar Sen also known as Probir Sen was an Indian Cricketer of Bengal origin. He was popularly known as "Khokan".
Probir Kumar Sen was born on 31st May in 1926, in Comilla District in East Bengal (now called Bangladesh. He was an Indian cricketer of Bengali origin who represented his country in 14 Tests from 1948 to 1952. Probir Kumar Sen was born in an eminent business family, to Amiya Sen and Basanti Sen.
Probir Kumar Sen, more fervently known as "khokhan", in the cricketing parleys is still the first Bengalee to represent India in test matches, and the first Bengalee to have kept wickets for India in test matches. His agility behind the stumps was beyond doubt, with 20 catches and 11 stumpings.
Probir Kumar Sen or Probir Sen played his first first-class cricket tournament representing Bengal Cricket Team in British regime, that is in the year 1943. He was associated with The Indian Cricket Team when he was only 17 years old. At that time, he was educating at La Martiniere School, Kolkata.
A sturdy right-handed wicketkeeper and batsman, Probir Sen first toured with the Indian team in 1947-48 in Australia. There, he acted as the reserve keeper to Jenni Irani. After impressing in the first class fixture he came into the XI for the 3rd Test to make his Test debut at Melbourne on New Year`s Day 1948. The 5th Test was played in Melbourne as well and Sen took four catches. Despite Australia making 575 runs he only conceded four byes.
When the West Indies toured India in 1948-49 he played his first home Test series and played in each of the five matches.
His finest moment was in the final Test against England at Madras (Chennai) in 1951-52. Probir Kumar Sen played a notable part in the historic victory, taking five stumpings, all off Vinoo Mankad, including four in the first innings to help his side to a famous win over England. After a tour of England and a couple of Test against Pakistan in 1952-53 he lost his place in the side. Probir Kumar Sen finished his Ranji Trophy career with 1796 runs at 30.44.
Probir Kumar Sen died in 1970 after playing a game of cricket at Calcutta (Kolkata). He had suffered a heart attack. He survived by his wife, Reena Sen, whom he married in 1948, and who is the niece of late Pankaj Gupta, his daughter Madhusree Sen, his grandchildren Bikram, Debaki, and Aditi Dhar, and his son Abhijit Sen. Ranabir Sen, his brother also played first class cricket and was a stylish left-handed batsman who had also played for Bengal Cricket Team.
