BCCI, Sachin Tendulkar & other cricketers mourn death of ex-Indian spinner Dilip Doshi at 77

Indian cricket on Monday (June 24) mourned the passing of former left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi, who died at the age of 77 following a cardiac arrest in London. A late bloomer in international cricket, Doshi made his Test debut at 32 but still carved out a distinguished career, finishing with 114 wickets in 33 Tests, alongside 898 first-class scalps.

The Saurashtra Cricket Association confirmed his death, remembering him as “a revered, distinguished, and prominent figure in the world of cricket.” “The SCA is deeply pained and very sad at the passing away of Dilip Doshi, a revered, distinguished, and prominent figure in the world of cricket. He left for his heavenly abode today in London. He has left behind a rich legacy of sportsmanship, commitment, and excellence. The legendary left-arm spinner was a stalwart of Indian cricket, renowned for his unparalleled skill and dedication to the game.”

Sachin Tendulkar mourns Dilip Doshi’s death

Tributes poured in from across the cricketing world, with Sachin Tendulkar recalling their first meeting in the UK in 1990. “He was really fond of me, and I reciprocated his feelings. A warm-hearted soul like Dilipbhai will be deeply missed,” Tendulkar wrote.

Anil Kumble also expressed his grief on X, saying, “Heartbreaking to hear about Dilip bhai’s passing… Thinking of you Nayan,” referring to Doshi’s son Nayan Doshi, who also played first-class cricket.

Doshi’s career overlapped with India’s famed spin quartet, limiting his opportunities. But when his time came, he made an immediate impact, taking 6/103 on debut against Australia in 1979. His standout performance came in the 1981 Melbourne Test, where he bowled through a fractured toe to take five wickets, helping India seal a memorable win.

A respected figure in county cricket with stints at Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire, Doshi settled in London post-retirement, finding success in business. Despite his wealth of cricketing knowledge, Doshi never coached or mentored the national team. Nor he did any commentary stint.

Former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah called it a “deeply personal loss,” while legendary all-rounder Garfield Sobers had once hailed Doshi as someone with “immeasurable knowledge” of spin bowling. “He has played at all levels over the world and there can be no one more qualified to talk about the art of spin bowling.”