Sunil Gavaskar expressed frustration at the Indian team management’s delayed acknowledgment of Dattajirao Gaekwad during the ongoing Test match against England.
On Day 3 of the third Test in Rajkot, Indian cricketers donned black armbands to honor Gaekwad, a former India captain who passed away in Baroda on February 13 at the age of 95. Gavaskar, a cricket legend, voiced his discontent as it took three days into the match for the team to pay tribute.
Despite Gaekwad’s passing two days prior to the Test’s commencement, Indian players didn’t wear armbands on the first two days. Only on the third day did the BCCI announce that the team, led by Rohit Sharma, would wear black armbands to commemorate Gaekwad’s legacy.
In a release before the start of play on Day 3, the BCCI stated, “Team India will be wearing black armbands in memory of Dattajirao Gaekwad, former India captain and India’s oldest Test cricketer who passed away recently.”
Gavaskar, expressing his views during commentary, remarked, “Better late than never… they should’ve done it on Day 1 but better late than never.” He highlighted Gaekwad’s significant contributions to Indian cricket, noting his leadership during India’s Tour of England in 1959 and Baroda’s Ranji Trophy triumph in 1957-58.
Although the BCCI issued a condolence message promptly after Gaekwad’s demise, Gavaskar emphasized the importance of honoring the cricket stalwart from the outset.
Dattajirao Gaekwad, a formidable batsman, represented Baroda in the Ranji Trophy from 1947 to 1961, amassing over 3,000 runs with an impressive average of 47.56, including 14 centuries. He held the distinction of being India’s oldest living Test cricketer from 2016 until his passing, following in the footsteps of his successful cricketing lineage, including his son Aunshuman Gaekwad, who also left a mark on Indian cricket.
