Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar slammed the Board of Control for Cricket in India for getting late at honouring former India captain and coach Dattajirao Gaekwad after his death on February 13, 2024.
Born on October 27, 1928, in Baroda, Dattajirao Gaekwad etched his name in the annals of cricket history with a career that spanned over a decade. Known for his sure defense and delightfully crisp shots, especially through the covers, Gaekwad was a right-handed batsman who also occasionally bowled right-arm medium and legbreak. His cricketing journey is a testament to resilience, skill, and leadership.
IND vs ENG, 3rd Test Day 3: Live updates
The Indian team wore black armbands on Day 3 of the Test match in Rajkot in the memory of the former cricketer. Gavaskar was not happy with the Indian team and let it known while commentating during the game.
“Better late than neverâæ they should’ve done it on Day 1 but better late than never,” Gavaskar said while on commentary duties on Day 3.
“He was captain of the Indian team in a five-match series. He captained four out of the five matches and the other one was captained by Pankaj Roy.”
“The BCCI expresses its profound grief at the passing away of Dattajirao Gaekwad, former India captain and India’s oldest Test cricketer. He played in 11 Tests and led the team during India’s Tour of England in 1959. Under his captaincy, Baroda also won the Ranji Trophy in the 1957-58 season, beating Services in the final. The Board expresses its heartfelt condolences to Gaekwad’s family, friends, and admirers,” a post from the BCCI read on X *(formerly Twitter).
Gaekwad’s early cricketing days were spent playing for Bombay University and the Maharaja Sayaji University in Baroda, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport. He made his Test debut for India against England in Leeds during the 1952 tour, a challenging initiation into international cricket where he opened the innings despite never having done so before the tour. His career saw him touring England again in 1959 and the West Indies in 1952-53, where an unfortunate collision led to a dislocated shoulder, curtailing his participation.
Despite these setbacks, Gaekwad’s domestic cricket career flourished. He captained Baroda to their first Ranji Trophy title in nine years during the 1957-58 season, scoring a century in the final against Services and amassing 218 runs against the defending champions Bombay during the season. His leadership qualities shone brightly as he led India on the 1959 tour of England, a challenging series where despite battling typhoid, he emerged as one of the team’s leading scorers.
Gaekwad’s contributions to Indian cricket were not limited to his playing days. After retiring, he became a revered figure in Baroda cricket, scouting young talent and shaping the future of the sport in the region. His legacy is carried on by his son, Anshuman Gaekwad, who also represented India in international cricket.
Dattajirao Gaekwad passed away on February 13, 2024, at the age of 95, leaving behind a rich legacy as India’s oldest living Test cricketer at the time of his passing. His life story is a narrative of overcoming challenges, inspiring leadership, and an undying love for cricket.
