LONDON: Indian cricket is in mourning following the sad demise of former India left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi, who passed away on Monday in London due to a cardiac arrest. He was 77 years old and is survived by his wife Kalindi, son Nayan, who also enjoyed a first-class cricket career, and daughter Vishakha. The news has deeply saddened cricketing stalwarts, including Sachin Tendulkar and Ravi Shastri, who shared their condolences.
Doshi, a classical left-arm orthodox spinner, made his Test debut for India relatively late in his career, at the age of 32 in 1979, following the retirement of the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi. Despite the late start, he carved a significant niche for himself in Indian cricket, playing 33 Tests and taking an impressive 114 wickets, including six five-wicket hauls. His career spanned until 1983, and he was known for his accuracy, subtle variations, and the ability to trouble even the best batsmen.
One of his most memorable performances came during India’s historic Test victory against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1981, where he claimed a five-wicket haul while reportedly bowling with a fractured toe. His resilience and skill in that match are etched in Indian cricketing folklore.
Beyond his international career, Doshi was a stalwart in the English county circuit, playing for over a decade with Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire. Domestically, he represented Bengal and Saurashtra, accumulating a staggering 898 first-class wickets with 43 five-wicket hauls.
Tributes poured in from across the cricketing fraternity. Sachin Tendulkar, expressing his sorrow on social media, recalled his first meeting with Doshi in the UK in 1990 and how the veteran spinner bowled to him in the nets. “A warm-hearted soul like Dilipbhai will be deeply missed. I will miss those cricketing conversations which we invariably had. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti,” Tendulkar wrote. Ravi Shastri also conveyed his condolences, remembering Doshi as “always immaculate, a gentleman to the core and a fine, fine bowler.” His passing marks the end of an era for a cricketer who contributed immensely to the game.
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