The Hindu : Sport : Accolades pour in for Sardesai

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Wednesday, Jul 04, 2007
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Accolades pour in for Sardesai

Special Correspondent

Contributions to Indian, Bombay teams recalled

A large gathering of cricketers, journalists and family-friends at his funeral
Wadekar attributes “90 per cent” of the credit for the series win in the Windies in ’71 to him

Mumbai: Close to 500 people including cricketers, officials, friends of the family and a large number of media personnel bid a fond farewell to Dilip Sardesai, who died on Monday night at the age of 67 of multiple organ failure.

The large gathering reflected Sardesai’s achievements on the cricket field and other interests he pursued at the Cricket Club of Indian and the Bombay Gymkhana.

Many recalled his contribution in the 1971 series in the West Indies when Wadekar’s team notched up a series victory there.

“If we won the series in the West Indies in 1971, 90 per cent of the credit should go to Dilip. His double in the first Test boosted our confidence,” said Wadekar.

His best

Not long ago Salim Durrani had described Sardesai’s 200 not out against John Reid’s New Zealand at the Brabourne in 1965 as “brilliant and sparkling” and the best knock he had seen.

India had been skittled out for 88 in the first innings after which Sardesai, opening the innings, scored a double against Dick Motz, Bruce Taylor, Bevan Congdon, Vic Pollard and Brain Yuile.

But Bapoo Nadkarni, who figured in this Test, said on Tuesday: “It was a great effort against New Zealand, but I would rate his 54 and 40 (batting in the middle-order) against England at ‘The Oval’ in 1971 as the best. India went on to win its first Test series in England.

Like many, he was a converted opener for India. Many batsmen did not want to open and face the new ball, he offered to open and did his job.

The unbeaten 200 at Brabourne against New Zealand in 1965, the 212 at Sabina Park in 1971, his 112 at the Queens Park and the 150 at the Kensington Oval in the same series where he totalled 642 (at 80.25) in five Tests, and 54 and 40 at ‘The Oval’ in 1971 came in for special praise.

Cricket brain

Accolades poured in, not only for his achievements as a Test and first-class cricketer — he was also part of the famous Mumbai team that won 15 Ranji titles in his time — but also for his ability to pick talent, spot weaknesses, discuss technique and argue and put forth his views in a most blunt manner.

Coached by the likes of Manya Naik and Ramnath Kenny, the Goa-born Sardesai came through the ranks, playing in the inter-university tournament for the Rohinton Baria Cup, all-India universities, Mumbai, West Zone and India.

It was in the course of his formative years and subsequently with the Mumbai team that Sardesai imbibed the virtues of fundamentals and technique, which he imparted to youngsters while watching net sessions or in between matches at the Wankhede or Brabourne.

Even three days before he breathed his last, Sardesai, who watched the second India-South Africa match at Belfast, faulted India captain Rahul Dravid for offering a shot to a short ball from seamer Charl Langeveldt.

Sardesai was very proud of having donned the Bombay cap. He played against and alongside famous names from Madhav Mantri to Sunil Gavaskar.

“He watched and talked about Mumbai cricket with passion,” said Prof. Ratnakar Shetty, Chief Administrative Office, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Treasurer, Mumbai Cricket Association.

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