India’s Oldest Test Cricketer, Dattajirao Gaekwad, Passes Away at the Age of 95

India’s cricket community mourns the loss of Dattajirao Gaekwad, the country’s oldest Test cricketer and former captain, who passed away on Tuesday due to age-related ailments. Gaekwad, aged 95, father to former India opener and national coach Anshuman Gaekwad, breathed his last early this morning after a 12-day battle in the ICU of a Baroda hospital, according to a family source speaking to PTI.

Gaekwad’s cricketing journey spanned 11 Tests for India between 1952 and 1961, during which he also captained the national team in 1959 during its tour of England. A right-handed batsman, he made his debut against England at Leeds in 1952 and concluded his international career against Pakistan in Chennai in 1961.

In domestic cricket, Gaekwad represented Baroda in the Ranji Trophy from 1947 to 1961, amassing 3139 runs at an impressive average of 47.56, which included 14 centuries. His highest score was an unbeaten 249 against Maharashtra in the 1959-60 season.

Gaekwad took the mantle of India’s oldest living Test cricketer in 2016 following the passing of former batter Deepak Shodhan at the age of 87 in Ahmedabad.