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Team India cricketers will be seen wearing black armbands on Day 3 of the ongoing Test against England in honour of Dattajirao Gaekwad, who recently passed away at the age of 95. Dattajirao Gaekwad, who captained India and was the country's oldest living Test cricketer, passed away on February 13 (Tuesday) in Baroda. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the announced just minutes before Day 3 of the Rajkot Test got underway on February 17.
"#TeamIndia will be wearing black arm bands in memory of Dattajirao Gaekwad, former India captain and India’s oldest Test cricketer who passed away recently," BCCI said in a tweet on X.
Who was Dattajirao Gaekwad?
Dattajirao Gaekwad's illustrious career in Indian cricket, encompassing 11 Tests with four as captain, has left an indelible mark on the sport. His debut against England in June 1952 marked the beginning of a journey that saw him become a cherished icon in Indian cricket, a status further solidified when he became the nation's oldest-living Test cricketer in 2016, after the passing of Deepak Shodhan.
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The Gaekwad legacy in cricket is rich, with Dattajirao's son, Anshuman Gaekwad, also donning the Indian jersey in 40 Tests and 15 ODIs from 1975 to 1987, showcasing the family's significant impact on the sport.
Dattajirao's impact on domestic cricket
Dattaji's contribution to Test cricket includes scoring 350 runs across 11 matches, with his innings often bolstered by his resilience and skill, evident from a memorable half-century.
However, Dattajirao Gaekwad's influence extended beyond the international arena into domestic cricket, where he represented Baroda for an impressive 17 years, from 1947 to 1964. His domestic achievements are noteworthy, with a total of 5,788 runs from 110 matches, including 17 centuries and 23 fifties. His highest score, an unbeaten 249, stands as a testament to his prowess on the field.
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