Dattajirao Gaekwad, India’s Oldest Test cricketer, Passes Away at 95
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On Tuesday, Dattajirao Krishnarao Gaekwad, the oldest surviving test cricket player in India, died away at his Vadodara, Gujarat, residence. At 95 years old, he was.
Son Anshuman Gaekwad, a former cricket coach for India, is the last surviving member of Gaekwad’s family.
Gaekwad, who attended the Maharani Chimnabai High School in the former Baroda state and is not closely linked to the royal family of Baroda, is well known for winning the Ranji Trophy for Baroda in 1957–1958, his first season as captain of the bat.
At Vadodara’s Motibaug Stadium, the Baroda team, led by Gaekwad, had beaten the Services team by an innings and 51 runs in the decisive game.
After being chosen by the Maharaja of Baroda in 1948 to teach new players, Gaekwad studied under Test cricketer C S Nayudu, who is the brother of former India cricket captain C K Nayudu.
The inaugural Under-14 and Under-16 cricket tournaments that C K Nayudu organised in Baroda included 12-year-old Gaekwad.
After making his Ranji debut for Bombay University (as part of the undivided province) in 1948, Gaekwad joined up with G Ramachand and Polly Umrigar to play in 11 Test matches between 1952 and 1961.
Gaekwad learned leg-spin and googly bowling strategies from C S Nayudu.
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In addition to being the first captain of the MS University cricket team when it was founded, Gaekwad also coached the Baroda Ranji squad till 2000.
He had connections with icons like Vijay Hazare. Gaekwad had furthermore worked alongside cricket administrator Jaywant Lele as the joint secretary of the Baroda Cricket Association in the late 1960s.
At one point in his career, he had also been the comptroller of Baroda State.
BCCI on Dattajirao Gaekwad
“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 board posted on X
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… pic.twitter.com/HSUArGrjDF
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 13, 2024
Dattajirao Gaekwad’s Career
Dattajirao Gaekwad participated in 11 Test matches for India between 1952 and 1961, the whole of his cricket career.
He was a dependable batsman who could drive the ball and played solid defence. He was a superb fielder as well. He had trouble, however, securing a consistent position in India’s middle order.
Dattajirao Gaekwad participated in 11 Test matches for India between 1952 and 1961, the whole of his cricket career. He was a dependable batsman who could drive the ball and played solid defence.
He was a superb fielder as well. He had trouble, however, securing a consistent position in India’s middle order.
In the Ranji Trophy, Gaekwad scored 3,139 runs, including 14 centuries, for Baroda, one of the team’s major players in domestic cricket.
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
His greatest against Maharashtra was 249 not out. In 1949–50, he also made two more double hundreds and had some outstanding performances against Gujarat.
In 1952, he made his debut as an opener for India in England. However, in most of the West Indies, Pakistan, and England series, he mostly provided muscle to the middle order.
He did, however, often stay off the team.
In 1959, Gaekwad captained the Indian team in England, but he was unable to motivate them to victory as they lost all five Test matches.
During the tour, Gaekwad scored 1,174 runs for himself. Still, his Test record was unimpressive.
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