Former Indian left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi, renowned for his classical bowling action and unwavering commitment to the game, passed away in London at the age of 77 following heart-related complications. The cricketing fraternity has been united in paying tribute to the veteran, with tributes pouring in from across the globe.
Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar, recalling fond memories, posted on his official X handle: “I met Dilipbhai for the first time in the UK in 1990, and he bowled to me in the nets on that tour. He was really fond of me, and I reciprocated his feelings. 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.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also expressed its condolences in a post on X, saying: “The BCCI mourns the sad demise of former India spinner, Dilip Doshi, who has unfortunately passed away in London. May his soul rest in peace.”
Born in Rajkot, Doshi enjoyed a distinguished career in domestic and international cricket. He took 114 wickets in 33 Test matches, including six five-wicket hauls, and picked up 22 wickets in 15 One-Day Internationals, maintaining an economy rate of 3.96—an impressive figure for his era.
A late entrant to the Indian national side, Doshi made his Test debut at the age of 32, following in the footsteps of India’s celebrated spin quartet of the 1970s. Despite the delayed start, he left a lasting impression with his precision and discipline. Notably, his five-wicket haul in the Melbourne Test of 1981 played a pivotal role in India’s famous victory Down Under.
In first-class cricket, Doshi represented teams such as Saurashtra, Bengal, Warwickshire, and Nottinghamshire, taking 898 wickets in 238 matches at an average of 26.58. His time at Nottinghamshire was particularly significant, as he was mentored by the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers, who influenced his bowling greatly.
After retiring from international cricket in the 1980s, Doshi chronicled his cricketing journey in his autobiography Spin Punch, offering readers insight into his life on and off the field.
Doshi had made London his home for several decades. His contributions to Indian cricket, both as a player and thinker of the game, will long be remembered.
