India mourns the loss of Dattajirao Gaekwad, the former Test cricketer and captain, who passed away on Tuesday due to age-related ailments. Gaekwad, aged 95, breathed his last in a Baroda hospital.
Gaekwad, father to former India opener and national coach Anshuman Gaekwad, left an indelible mark on Indian cricket history. His contributions were remembered by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in a heartfelt tribute on X (formerly known as Twitter).
"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," wrote the BCCI.
Gaekwad's cricketing journey spanned from 1952 to 1961, during which he played 11 Tests for India, showcasing his talent as a right-handed batsman. Notably, he led the national team during the tour of England in 1959. His illustrious career concluded with his final international appearance against Pakistan in Chennai in 1961.
In 2016, Gaekwad became India's oldest living Test cricketer after the passing of former batter Deepak Shodhan at the age of 87 in Ahmedabad.
