Ex-India great Dilip Sardesai dead

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New Delhi: Former India cricketer Dilip Sardesai passed away in Mumbai on Monday evening due to multiple organ failure. He was 66.

Sardesai was admitted to Bombay Hospital with a chest infection on July 23.

Sardesai, who was to turn 67 on August 8, played 30 Test matches for India between 1961 to 1972. Sardesai made 2001 runs in this period at an average of nearly 40. He made five Test hundreds and nine half-centuries.

Dilip Narayan Sardesai also has the distinction of being the only Goa-born cricketer to play for India.

Sardesai broke into the Indian cricket scene during an inter-university tournament in 1959-60 where he made 435 runs at an average of 87.

India's one of the most prolific batsmen in an era dominated by England, Australia and the West Indies, Sardesai made his Test debut in the 1961-62 season.

Christened the 'renaissance man of Indian cricket' by former batting great Vijay Merchant, Sardesai's most successful time came in the West Indies in 1971 when India won a historic series 1-0. He made 642 runs in the series which included two centuries and a double hundred.

Sardesai was also part of India's first Test series win in England in the same year under the leadership of Ajit Wadekar. He retired fro international cricket one Test later.

Sardesai was known for his measured footwork, especially against spinners and solid defence, ideal for an opening batsman. Together with Sunil Gavaskar, they formed a great opening pair for India, albeit for one season only.

Sardesai was also part of 15 consecutive Ranji Trophy winning teams with Mumbai, a record that has stood the test of time so far.

Sardesai is survived by wife Nandini Sardesai, who is a sociologist and a member of the Indian Censor Board, and son Rajdeep Sardesai, the Editor-in-Chief of CNN-IBN and one daughter.

His daughter Shonali works on conflict related issues at the World Bank in Washington DC.

(With inputs from PTI)