Name Hindi: दत्ता गायकवाड / Gender Coach
Datta Gaekwad: A Cricket Legend
Born on October 27, 1928, in Baroda, Gujarat, India, the cricketing stalwart Datta Ganpat Gaekwad is best known for his remarkable contributions to Indian cricket as a right-handed batsman and occasional right-arm medium pace bowler. Making prominent strides during a time when cricket was still gaining its foothold in India, Gaekwad left behind an illustrious career that won’t be forgotten by fans of the sport.
Early Life & Career
Gaekwad’s love for cricket started from a very young age. Inspired by the then-greats of the game, he took up cricket at school level and there was no looking back ever since.
Honing his skills with unwavering dedication and tenacious practice sessions, he made his first-class debut for Baroda during the 1952-53 season. His natural flair for batting got him noticed quickly and just after two years in February 1955, he scored a memorable century against Pakistan University Grants Commission XI which remained one of his finest innings till date.
Finding Feet in International Cricket
- Gaekwad made his Test debut for India against New Zealand at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi on December 16th, 1955. He produced satisfactory performances but it was his exceptional field setting strategies that caught the attention of experts.
- Playing under contract between 1955-59 and 1961–62 seasons for Baroda in first-class matches helped him strengthen tactical understanding and temperament needed for international games. Even though his batting average (20.78 in 11 test matches) didn’t quite touch the zenith, his groundwork strategy substantially boosted Indian team performance.
- Recognizing this exceptional attribute and leadership qualities, he was appointed as captain of the Indian cricket team for their trip to West Indies in 1958-59. Again, while it wasn’t a memorable series on personal front due to physical injuries along with patchy form, Gaekwad’s innovative thinking and contributions behind the scenes infused a sense of belief among the players that was unseen before in Indian cricket circuit.
Post Retirement Contribution
Gaekwad retired from international cricket after playing his last Test against England at Leeds on July 25th, 1962. Post retirement, he mentored young bloods and coached budding cricketers. His desire to uplift the game transcended into off-field roles wherein he got associated with Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) proactively sectoring the growth path for promising talents.
A true servant of the sport, Datta Ganpat Gaekwad is lauded not just because of his immortalized stats but largely owing to his selfless contributions in shaping future cricket stars and developing structure which remains vital part of today’s successful Indian cricket setup.
