New Delhi: Dattajirao Gaekwad, also known as Datta Gaekwad, the former Indian team Test captain and the oldest-living Test cricket player in Bharat, passed away at the age of 95 at his residence in Baroda on Tuesday.
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed his condolences on social media, remembering Gaekwad’s contribution to scouting young talents in the Baroda region.
Under the shade of the banyan tree at the Motibag cricket ground, from his blue Maruti car, Indian captain D.K. Gaekwad sir tirelessly scouted young talent for Baroda cricket, shaping the future of our team. His absence will be deeply felt. A great loss for cricketing community.… pic.twitter.com/OYyE2ppk88
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 13, 2024
Gaekwad became Bharat’s oldest-living Test cricket player in mid-2016 after the demise of Deepak Shodhan, who passed away at 87.
In domestic cricket, Dattajirao Gaekwad led team Baroda and guided them to victory in the 1957–58 Ranji Trophy season. He made his debut for Bharat in 1952 and played 11 Test matches during his international career, scoring 350 runs at an average of 18.42. In 110 first-class matches, Gaekwad scored a total of 5788 runs at an average of 36.40, including 17 centuries and 23 fifties. Additionally, as a legbreak bowler, he claimed 25 wickets. He made his Test debut against England in June 1952.
Gaekwad celebrated his 95th birthday on October 27, 2023. After his retirement, he remained associated with the Baroda Cricket Association. His son, Anshuman Gaekwad, had also represented Bharat, playing 55 matches across all formats. Until Deepak Shodhan’s passing in 2016 at the age of 86, Gaekwad held the title of the oldest living Indian cricket player. CD Gopinathan currently holds the distinction of being the oldest cricket player after Gaekwad’s death.
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