The Indian cricket community was enveloped in sorrow following the passing of Dattajirao Gaekwad, the nation's oldest living Test cricketer, on Tuesday, February 13, at the age of 95 in his Baroda home. Gaekwad, whose cricketing journey with India spanned 11 Test matches, including four as captain, leaves behind a legacy that resonates deeply within the sport.
The cricket fraternity, including former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan, has expressed profound grief over the loss of Gaekwad. Pathan, on social media, paid homage to Gaekwad's significant role in scouting and nurturing young talent within 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 the cricketing community," Irfan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also mourned the demise of Dattajirao Gaikwad.
“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,” the Indian cricket board said in a tweet.
In his final days, Dattaji Gaekwad fought bravely in the ICU of a Baroda hospital, as reported by the news agency PTI, showcasing the resilience that marked his cricketing and personal life.
Dattajirao Gaekwad: A towering figure in Indian cricket
Having debuted for India in England in June 1952, Gaekwad became a revered figure in Indian cricket, especially after inheriting the title of the country's oldest-living Test cricketer in mid-2016 following Deepak Shodhan's demise.
Dattajirao's cricketing lineage is notable, with his son Anshuman Gaekwad also representing India in 40 Tests and 15 ODIs between 1975 and 1987, further cementing the Gaekwad family's contribution to Indian cricket.
Throughout his Test career, Dattaji accumulated 350 runs in 11 matches, including a notable half-century.
Beyond the international scene, Dattajirao Gaekwad was a stalwart in domestic cricket, representing Baroda over a span of 17 years from 1947 to 1964. His domestic record boasts 5,788 runs from 110 matches, with 17 centuries and 23 fifties, highlighting a prolific career that saw a highest score of 249 not out.
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