Name Hindi: सदाशिव शिंदे / Gender Man
Sadashiv Shinde: India’s Illustrious Cricket Icon
Born on September 20, 1923, in Akola, Maharasthra, Sadashiv Shinde was a key figure of the Hindustan’s golden era engaged in cricket. Despite his untimely demise at just 31 years old due to typhoid fever, he made a significant mark and earned respect in the world of cricket.
Career Overview
- Shinde began playing Ranji Trophy for Maharashtra during the early days of his career. His exceptional bowling skills quickly generated attention among critics and sports enthusiasts alike.
- His international debut took place against Sir Don Bradman’s Invincibles at Delhi in November 1948. Though this match resulted in a defeat for India by an innings, Shinde managed to emerge victorious, claiming five wickets for just 215 runs and proving himself as a capable bowler.
- In his short-lived international career spanning over three matches, Shinde managed to take seven wickets with an average of 81.85.
- On December 2, 1952, he played his final Test match – again against Pakistan in Mumbai. He claimed two scalps from its side to help win the match by ten wickets.
Rising through Ranks
The first Indian spin trio comprising Vinoo Mankad, Ghulam Ahmed and Sadashiv Shinde mesmerized their audiences frequently. They were often sent together into the battlefield where they accrued huge victories for their team:
- Mankad’s accurate slow spin combined with Ghulam Ahmed’s off-spin and Shinde’s leg-break googly lent Indian bowling a devastating effect in the early 1950s.
- Under his belt, he achieved an excellent record at first-class games capturing an impressive total of 230 wickets from just 63 matches at an enviable average of 23.59.
A Snapshot on Personal Life
Beyond cricket, much about Shinde’s personal life remains unknown to many. He was married and had children, but little else has been revealed or documented about his family life or interests beyond the pitch. After retiring from international gameplay, he worked as a spinal injury hospital coach before succumbing to typhoid fever on June 22, 1955.
Legacy
Despite having played only three Test matches during his career, Sadashiv Shinde made quite some ripples with his distinctive leg-break googlies and masterful manipulation of spin. Even today, he is remembered as a significant contributor to the formative years of Indian international cricket and perhaps one of Hindustan’s most tragic heroes given his untimely death.
