Legendary left-arm spinner Padmakar Shivalkar, one of the unlucky cricketers to have missed out on worldwide cricket, handed away right here on Monday. He was 84.
Shivalkar, who claimed a staggering 589 wickets in First Class cricket in 124 video games at an enviable common of 19.74 in a profession spanning 1 / 4 of a century, was among the many chief architects of Mumbai’s 15-season successful streak within the Ranji Trophy.
Shivalkar, together with fellow left-arm spinner Rajinder Goel, was conferred the Col. C.Ok. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2017. His final public look was final month, when he was felicitated by the Mumbai Cricket Association to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Wankhede Stadium.
“His dedication, skill, and impact on Mumbai cricket are unparalleled. His passing is an irreplaceable loss to the cricketing fraternity,” mentioned Ajinkya Naik, the MCA president.
After being noticed and honed by the good Vinoo Mankad, Shivalkar, a tennis-ball cricketer who made the well-known Shivaji Park Gymkhana his second dwelling, debuted for Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1961-62. Shivalkar, who handed on the baton to children after the 1980-81 Ranji remaining, was compelled out of retirement a month earlier than his forty eighth birthday and he made a mark within the pre-quarterfinal and quarterfinal.
With Shivalkar’s peak coinciding with India’s well-known spin quartet, he missed out on a global cap.
Gavaskar’s lament
“This is very sad news indeed. Within a short time Mumbai cricket has lost two of its stalwarts — Milind (Rege) and now Padmakar — who were the architects of many a victory.
“One of my regrets as India captain is not being able to convince the national selectors to include Paddy in the Test team. He deserved the India cap far more than some others who got it. That’s fate,” lamented Sunil Gavaskar, who wrote a chunk on Shivalkar in his e-book Idols.
“He was the bowler who would get the best batter from the opposition out and set up wins for Mumbai. He could bowl the whole day with his economical run-up and beautiful action. Paddy was one of a kind and I am deeply saddened by his passing away.”
Shivalkar, a passionate singer, took to teaching on the Shivaji Park Gymkhana after his enjoying days. He additionally chaired Mumbai’s choice panel in 2008-09.
Published – March 03, 2025 09:57 pm IST
