Eknath Solkar

Name Hindi: एकनाथ सोलकर / Gender Man

Eknath Solkar

Eknath Dhondu ‘Ekki’ Solkar was an exceptional all-round cricket player who represented India in international competitions from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s. Born on March 18, 1948, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, he is best known for his spectacular fielding — particularly close-in catching as a specialist forward short leg fielder — and his handy left-arm spin bowling ability.

Early Life and Cricket Career

Solkar hailed from humble beginnings; he initially started off practicing with a tennis ball before switching to a cork ball due to financial constraints. Showcasing immense promise at a young age, he joined Shivaji Park Gymkhana where he honed his skills under coaches Kashinath Naik and Vasu Paranjpe. He made it into the esteemed team of Dadar Union Sporting Club shortly after.

In 1965, Solkar bagged his first big break when he was selected for Bihar without having played any First-Class match prior. Displaying agile fielding prowess right from the outset, he became renowned for approaching each delivery with aggressive intent interspersed with tactful accuracy.

Career Statistics

• Made test debut against New Zealand at Hyderabad on October 15, 1969
• Total Test Matches Played: 27 scoring 1068 runs with one century and six fifties.
• Taken 53 wickets in test matches at an average of 34.71
• ODI Debut against England at Leeds on July 13, 1974
  Total ODI Matches played : Seven compiling 106 runs and claimed six wickets.
• His record of taking eight catches in a test match still stands.

Award and Recognition

In honor of his sporting achievements, Solkar was awarded the Arjuna Award ({India’s top sports award) in 1972 by the Government of India for his outstanding contribution to Cricket.