Padmakar Shivalkar in action.
| Photo Credit: THE HINDU PHOTO ARCHIVES
Legendary left-arm spinner Padmakar Shivalkar, one of the most unfortunate cricketers to have missed out on international cricket, passed away here on Monday. He was 84.
Shivalkar, who claimed a staggering 589 wickets in First Class cricket in 124 games at an enviable average of 19.74 in a career spanning a quarter of a century, was among the chief architects of Mumbai’s 15-season winning streak in the Ranji Trophy.
Shivalkar, along with fellow left-arm spinner Rajinder Goel, was conferred the Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2017. His last public appearance was last month, when he was felicitated by the Mumbai Cricket Association to mark the 50th 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,” said Ajinkya Naik, the MCA president.
After being spotted and honed by the great Vinoo Mankad, Shivalkar, a tennis-ball cricketer who made the famous Shivaji Park Gymkhana his second home, debuted for Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1961-62. Shivalkar, who passed on the baton to youngsters after the 1980-81 Ranji final, was forced out of retirement a month before his 48th birthday and he made a mark in the pre-quarterfinal and quarterfinal.
With Shivalkar’s peak coinciding with India’s famous spin quartet, he missed out on an international 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 piece on Shivalkar in his 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 coaching at the Shivaji Park Gymkhana after his playing days. He also chaired Mumbai’s selection panel in 2008-09.
Published – March 03, 2025 09:57 pm IST
Content Source: www.thehindu.com