Name Hindi: बक दिवेचा / Gender Man
Buck Divecha: India’s Esteemed Cricket Dynasty
The sport of cricket in India is not just a game, but an emotion and a significant part of the country’s cultural fabric. Over the years, numerous cricketers have played vital roles in shaping this fervour around cricket, leaving legends behind their career journey. Among such individuals who carved a niche for themselves, Buck Divecha stands tall with his enigmatic skills on the field.
A snapshot into his early life:
Rusi Framroze ‘Buck’ Divecha was born on February 20, 1927, in Bombay (today Mumbai), during British-ruled India. Although few details are available regarding his childhood and family or when he first began playing cricket, it is evident that Divecha displayed cricketing promise quite early in life.
Beginning Years:
Divecha played as a right-handed batsman and bowler and made an impressive stride towards professional cricket by debuting for Vizzy’s XI in 1950 against Commonwealth XI at Benares (now Varanasi). He gained more recognition after his noticeable performance at the Quadrangular where he represented the Parsees.
The rise as National Cricketer:
In 1952, Divecha paved his way to national representation when he got selected to be part of the Indian Squad for test series against Pakistan where he left a striking impression with three wickets in debut innings itself. The crowning glory came for him between November 1951 and March 1959 wherein he played 15 Test matches for Team India finalizing under Vinoo Mankad and Polly Umrigar’s captaincy.
Milestones and Notable Matches:
During his career spanning almost a decade, he achieved various milestones. His best bowling performance was marked during the Pakistan tour in 1954-55 where he picked up seven wickets with an average of 23.57, establishing himself as a credible pace bowler.
- In January 1952, Divecha played against England at Madras (now Chennai) picking three wickets in the first innings and one wicket in the second.
- The highest score,34 runs not out, made by Divecha as a batsman came about when playing against West Indies at Queen’s Park Oval on February 1953.
- Divecha managed to pick up five crucial West Indies’ wickets in the third test match held in Georgetown Guyana, thus ensuring India’s hard-fought draw game.
Retirement and later life:
Divecha retired from international cricket when he was just 32 years old after playing his final Test in Bombay against West Indies in December 1958. In this match, he ended with figures of two for 93. After retiring from International cricket until his death in June 2003, Divecha continued contributing notably towards Mumbai cricket off-field.
Buck Divecha: A Cricket Legacy Keeping Alive!
Divecha remains a celebrated figure within Indian cricket circles even to date, long beyond his passing. His incredible journey amidst rising talents is regarded warmly while he has left lasting influence for upcoming cricketers embracing this enchanting sport.
