London/New Delhi, June 24 (UNI) Veteran Indian cricketer and former left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi passed away in London on Tuesday following a cardiac arrest. He was 77.
The news of Doshi’s demise has sent a wave of grief across the cricketing community. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressed deep condolences, remembering him as a cricketer who defied conventions and left a lasting mark on Indian spin bowling.
Doshi, who made his Test debut at the relatively late age of 32, went on to claim 114 wickets in 33 Test matches. He also played 15 One Day Internationals (ODIs), taking 22 wickets. Known for his classical left-arm orthodox bowling, Doshi was part of India’s celebrated spin tradition during the early 1980s.
One of the highlights of his career came in the 1981 Melbourne Test, where his disciplined bowling played a key role in India’s historic victory against Australia. His accuracy and flight troubled even top-order batsmen.
Domestically, Doshi represented Bengal and Saurashtra with distinction. He also had successful stints in English county cricket with Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire, where he further honed his craft under the influence of greats like Garry Sobers.
After retiring from cricket in the mid-1980s, Doshi maintained a low profile but later chronicled his journey in a candid autobiography titled Spin Punch, offering insights into Indian cricket and his personal evolution.
He is survived by his wife Kalindi, son Nayan—who also played first-class cricket—and daughter Vishakha.
The Indian cricket fraternity has mourned the loss of a gentleman cricketer whose late entry into international cricket became an enduring story of perseverance and excellence.
