The Indian cricket crew gamers on Saturday wore black armbands as a mark of respect within the reminiscence of former captain Dattajirao Gaekwad on the third day of the continued third Check in opposition to England in Rajkot on Saturday. Dattajirao, who performed 11 Checks for India between 1951 and 1962, died on February 13 after remaining hospitalised for 12 days. At 95, he was India’s oldest dwelling Check cricketer.

Dattajirao was the daddy of former India batter and coach Aunshuman Gaekwad.

“Workforce India can be carrying black arm bands in reminiscence of Dattajirao Gaekwad, former India captain and India’s oldest Check cricketer who handed away lately,” the BCCI mentioned in an announcement shortly earlier than the third day’s play bought underway right here on the Niranjan Shah Stadium.

A right-handed batter, who may bowl each medium tempo and leg-break, Dattajirao was India’s captain throughout the 1959 tour of England.

Former Indian cricket crew captain Sunil Gavaskar talked about that India may have worn the black armband proper from the primary day. 

“Higher late than by no means… they need to’ve carried out it on Day 1 however higher late than by no means,” Gavaskar mentioned on commentary. “He was captain of the Indian crew in a five-match collection. He captained 4 out of the 5 matches and the opposite one was captained by Pankaj Roy.’

An unintended Indian captain who matched the peerless Vijay Hazare stroke for stroke with a canopy drive to die for, Dattajirao Gaekwad ought to have performed greater than 11 Checks, given the expertise this outstanding participant from Baroda possessed.

On Tuesday, Gaekwad died in his hometown Baroda on the age of 95. Statistically, he was the oldest dwelling Indian Check cricketer because the dying of Deepak Shodhan in 2016.

He additionally mentored a whole lot of Baroda cricketers by way of 70s, 80s and 90s together with the likes of Nayan Mongia and was at all times looking for brand spanking new abilities on the well-known Moti Baug Palace floor.

“Underneath the shade of the banyan tree on the Motibag cricket floor, from his blue Maruti automobile, Indian captain D.Ok. Gaekwad sir tirelessly scouted younger expertise for Baroda cricket, shaping the way forward for our crew. His absence can be deeply felt. A fantastic loss for cricketing neighborhood,” Former India pacer Irfan Pathan wrote on ‘X’ The BCCI additionally put out a condolence message.

“The BCCI expresses its profound grief on the passing away of Dattajirao Gaekwad, former India captain and India’s oldest Check cricketer.

“He performed in 11 Checks and led the crew throughout India’s Tour of England in 1959. Underneath his captaincy, Baroda additionally gained the Ranji Trophy within the 1957-58 season, beating Providers within the last. The Board expresses its heartfelt condolences to Gaekwad’s household, buddies, and admirers,” it acknowledged.

With PTI inputs