Here’s one cricketer who is called the game changer of Indian Cricket. The cricketer joined the Indian Cricket team in 1961, and became the inspiration of every team player. He’s Dilip Sardesai, whom Vijay Merchant called ‘The man responsible for the Renaissance of Indian cricket.’ And reasons behind this are many.
Before him, India 116 tests between 1932 and 1970, winning only 15 of them. The statistics saw a positive turn when Dilip Sardesai hit his historic double hundred. The series of 1971, in which the double century was hit, became India’s first win in West Indies.
Moreover, it was when Dilip Sardesai played for Indian Cricket Team, that India won its first ever series in England. It was he, who taught Indian cricketers how to deal with Carribean Pacers.
The Indian Express recalls some of the achievements of Dilip Sardesai thus:
- Made his India debut in 1961 against England.
- Was the first-ever Goa-born player to represent India in Test cricket.
- Was part of the Indian team that beat West Indies in 1971, the first ever win in the Carribean.
- Became first ever double centurion for Indian in that series.
- Was also part of the team that beat England that same year, scored a century in that series.
- Scored a total of 10230 runs in First Class cricket playing for India and Mumbai.
( Courtesy : EenaduIndia.com)