Name Hindi: चंदू बोर्डे / Gender Coach
Chandu Borde – A Profile of Excellence
Chandrashekhar Bhaskar ‘Chandu’ Borde is a legendary figure in the world of cricket. Born on 21 July, 1934, he was instrumental in shaping the future of Indian Cricket. His talent and expertise earned him fame worldwide, and he came to be known as one of the original architects of today’s dynamic Indian cricket team.
Early Life and Initial Years
Born in a Maharashtrian Brahmin family in Pune, India, his father Bhaskar Balwant Borde was a renowned sportsman too. It was his father who encouraged young Chandu to develop an interest in cricket from a tender age. After completing his school education from Nutan Marathi Vidyalaya high school, Chandu went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Fergusson College, Pune.
Cricketing Career
In an illustrious career spanning over approximately 20 years (1958-1969), Borde played 55 Test Matches for India and scored more than 3000 runs with an impressive average score close to 35. This included five centuries and 18 fifties. As an all-round cricketer, he also took nearly 50 wickets during his professional tenure.
- Debut: He made his debut at the “Brabourne Stadium” against West Indies in December 1958.
- Career Highlight: One of the most remarkable achievements during his sporting career was when he single-handedly won a test match against Pakistan at Delhi in Decmber 1960 by scoring a majestic 96 and batting for nearly five hours.
- Retirement: Borde retired from cricket in the late 1960s, but that did not mark an end to his association with the sport. He served as the Chairman of BCCI’s selection committee where he was immensely instrumental in grooming several young talents.
Awards and Recognition
In recognition of his exceptional performance in international cricket, Chandu Borde was awarded the Padma Shri by Government of India in 1969. Curiously enough, it is also noted that this award rarely goes to sports personalities making his achievement more noteworthy and exclusive. The “Chandu Borde Global Cricket Academy” now stands proudly at Pune as a testament to this legend’s dedication towards promoting cricket among India’s youth generation. In addition, he has been honoured with numerous other awards like CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award presented by BCCI et al.
Legacy
Today, even after decades since his retirement, Borde continues to be one of Indian cricket’s revered names. His formidable skills as an all-round cricketer, along with commendable physical stamina on field and cogent administrative experience off-field stand as pillars of inspiration for many upcoming cricketers worldwide.
