Dilip Doshi passes away: Sachin Tendulkar recalls his first meeting with Indian spin legend
Synopsis
Sachin Tendulkar shared a heartfelt tribute to Dilip Doshi, the former India left-arm spinner who recently passed away. Doshi, known for his classical action, had a successful career spanning Tests and ODIs.
Former Indian cricketer and legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to former India left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi, who passed away on Monday in London, aged 77.
Tendulkar posted on 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."
In a post on X, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) condoled Doshi's demise, stating, “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.”
Dilip Doshi's illustrious career
Doshi passed away due to heart issues in London, where he had lived for several decades. With a classical left-armer's action, Doshi scalped 114 Test wickets in 33 appearances, including six five-wicket hauls.
He also left his mark in the ODIs and finished with 22 wickets in 15 ODIs while maintaining an economy of 3.96. Doshi represented Saurashtra, Bengal, Warwickshire, and Nottinghamshire in first-class cricket and picked up 898 wickets in 238 appearances at 26.58.
Doshi followed in the footsteps of the famous spin quartet of the 1970s and made his debut at the age of 32.
Dilip Doshi influenced by Garfield Sobers
At Nottinghamshire, the West Indies legend Garfield Sobers heavily influenced the left-arm spinner. He made a silent exit from international cricket in the 1980s and gave a compelling account of his cricketing days in his autobiography Spin Punch.
Among his accomplished feats, Doshi played an immaculate role with his five-wicket haul in the Melbourne Test of 1981, which helped India orchestrate a memorable victory.