Padmakar Shivalkar passes away

Padmakar Shivalkar passes away

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 with 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 having been spotted and honed by legendary 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. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar — who wrote a piece on Shivalkar in his book Idols — has regretted at being unable to convince the national selectors to pick ‘Paddy’ in the National Test team.

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.