Deepak Shodhan, India’s Oldest Living Test Cricketer Passes Away

The first Indian to score a century in his debut, Deepak Shodhan passed away at the age of 87.

Deepak Shodhan. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/ @ImSujjad)

India’s oldest living Test Cricketer, Deepak Shodhan has passed away at the age of 87. The first Indian to score a Test century in his debut innings succumbed to lung cancer in his Ahmedabad residence on Sunday.

Shodhan was a left-hand batsman who bowled left-arm pace as well. At the age of 25, the batsman found a place in the Indian team and went on to make an immediate impact. He made his debut in a 1952 match between India and Pakistan, both newly independent nations. Walking in at No 8, the batsman made 110 runs for the side. The match however, ended in a draw.

While his international career didn’t last very long, he enjoyed a long domestic career, playing for Gujarat and Baroda.

Datta Gaekwad, father of former India allrounder and coach Anshuman Gaekwad, is now India’s oldest living Test cricketer.

Condolences for Deepak Shodhan poured in on social media

There was some outrage about the fact that Shodhan’s death did not warrant a ‘minute of silence’ before the game.