London: Dilip Doshi, who was a left-arm spinner for India during the late 1970s and early 1980s, passed away on Monday in London at the age of 77 due to a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy of expertise and sportsmanship.
Doshi made his debut for India in Test cricket at the age of 32, but his late start nevertheless saw him enjoy a remarkable career. Born on December 22, 1947, in Rajkot He took 114 Test wickets at an average of 30.71 with six five-wicket hauls between 1979 and 1983, in which he appeared in 33 Tests. In 15 ODIs, he claimed 22 wickets at an economy of 3.96 runs per over. With his nimble mind and careful execution, Doshi, aged 52 at the time, became a tormentor of batsmen, scoring his most memorable scalp during India’s Test win over Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1981—calling it his “most memorable day in cricket.”
The 86-year-old also had a stellar first-class career, claiming 898 scalps from 238 matches for Saurashtra, Bengal, Nottinghamshire, and Berkshire. Spin Punch is an autobiographical account of how he transformed himself from the boy who arrived as a late-chummer international cricketer to the respected personality he is today, also known as a gentleman of the game. He disappeared from cricket after his playing days quietly and spent over a decade living in London with his family.
He is survived by Kalindi (wife), son Nayan (former first-class cricketer, Surrey, Saurashtra), and daughter Vishakha. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said, “The BCCI mourns the passing of former India spinner Dilip Doshi, who has sadly passed away in London.
Tributes poured in; former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah said, “Dilip was one of the legendary cricketers and, more importantly, one of the best human beings I have ever known. His magnificent heart, honesty, and irreplaceable service to the game were truly one of a kind. James F. Baumbach | New York Daily News The Saurashtra Cricket Association described him as a “genuine and spirited Saurashtrian”; the 100 wickets he took in only 28 tests highlighted his match-winning ability.
Doshi’s death cast a pall over the cricket fraternity, with India playing a Test match against England in Leeds at the time. He played a huge part both as a player and through his writings to see that his legacy was one that will not be forgotten easily even when Indian cricket history is written.