Dilip Sardesai Biography 
Dilip Sardesai was a former cricketer who played for national team in the 1960s and 1970s. One of the finest batsmen who popularized Indian cricket in the post independent era, he was known for his excellence to face spin bowling. He was the only cricketer from Goa who played for Indian cricket team in the international matches during his active test career. He played 30 test matches for team India and completed 2001 runs at a batting average of 39.23. He scored 5 hundreds including two double centuries apart from 9 50s for his international career. He also played 179 first class cricket matches. Noted news anchor Rajdeep Sardesai is his son.
He was born on 8 August 1940 in Margao, Portuguese Goa. He started his cricket career in the late 1950s. Rohinton Baria Trophy in 1959–60 was one of his earliest noted performances, where he scored 435 runs at an average of 87 in the series. He made his first class debut the following year against Pakistan. He scored 87 runs in his debut match held at Pune. Very soon he became a member of Board president's XI and got selected for the Mumbai team in the Ranji trophy.
He made his Test debut in the 2nd Test against England at Kanpur in December 1961. He was also included in the Indian squad which toured West Indies the same year. He scored his first double century against New Zealand in the 1964-1965 series held at home country. He scored his double century in Mumbai. Though India was forced to follow the foreign team after the first innings, his sensible batting which delivered a 200 not out helped India to win the match. In 1967 he injured himself on a staircase in the pavilion at Lord's stadium which badly affected his career. After injury a few bad innings ended his career in the early 1970s. He played for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy in 13 seasons. He reached finals in 10 seasons and never lost any of them.
Published: N/A
Updated: April 09, 2016
