Former India Spinner Dilip Doshi Passes Away at 77; Leaves Behind Rich Cricketing Legacy

A familiar voice greeted me on the phone last Saturday evening. The Mumbai rain was loud in the background, and the person on the other end remarked, “Oh, I can hear the sound of the rain… Hope things are fine there.”

Having lived in Mumbai for years, he knew how relentless the monsoon could be.

But as we spoke for over 20 minutes, Dilip Doshi admitted the sound made him realise how much he missed the Mumbai rains. I had come to address him as Dilip da — a name that suited his quiet wisdom, grace, and understated authority.

Calling from his home in London, he was watching the India-England Test in Leeds. During the lunch break, he decided to call.

“I’m quite impressed with the way Shubman (Gill) and (Rishabh) Pant batted,” he remarked, praising the young centurions. “This might be a young team, but it has enough firepower…”

A Legacy Built on Patience and Skill

Doshi, the former India left-arm spinner, took 114 Test wickets in 33 matches, including six five-wicket hauls.

He also played 15 ODIs, claiming 22 wickets at an economy rate of 3.96. He represented Bengal and Saurashtra in domestic cricket and played County cricket for Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire. His County experience, he often said, shaped his cricketing understanding.

Familiar with the Leeds conditions, Doshi believed India would dominate if the weather held up. He hoped to attend the third Test at Lord’s on July 10. “It should be a competitive series. If you’re here, we’ll watch it together,” he said.

We didn’t know that would be our last conversation.

On Monday, Doshi passed away at 77 due to a cardiac arrest in London, where he had lived for decades.

A Cricketer Who Guided and Inspired

A true gentleman, Doshi never hesitated to discuss cricket. Young players who reached out to him found him eager to guide and share his experiences.

Despite making his Test debut at 32 and facing irregular selection, Doshi proved his worth. His teammates regarded him as a “thinking man’s cricketer.”

In retirement, he entered the corporate world and introduced Mont Blanc pens to India in the 1990s. Yet, cricket was always close to his heart.

He often visited his hometown Rajkot, quietly watching matches at the Niranjan Shah Stadium. “This gives me immense satisfaction,” he once said during a Ranji Trophy match between Saurashtra and Punjab.

Friendships Beyond the Cricket Field

Doshi’s warmth and humility attracted people. Sachin Tendulkar recalled their first meeting in England, 1990. Already retired, Doshi bowled to Tendulkar in the nets.

“He was really fond of me, and I reciprocated his feelings. A warm-hearted soul like Dilip-bhai will be deeply missed,” Tendulkar wrote.

The cricket world remembers his iconic five-wicket haul in the 1981 Melbourne Test, achieved with a broken toe. “I’d apply electrodes every evening to manage the swelling,” he had shared. “It was a crucial game — I couldn’t miss it.”

Off the field, Doshi enjoyed the company of Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger, whom he met in 1976. The two often watched cricket together, including the recent World Test Championship final. Last Saturday, he fondly spoke about watching it with “Mick” and praised Temba Bavuma’s leadership.

A Life Full of Wit and Stories

I recall a call during the 2023 World Cup when Jagger was in India. Doshi said, “I need your help.”

Mick wanted to post a message in Hindi for his fans. We worked on it together, and when it was done, Doshi messaged me, “We finished it in 30 minutes because it was a great partnership.” That was typical Doshi — serious, but full of wit.

During the 2020 lockdown, he gave an in-depth interview on spin bowling for Sportstar‘s ebook. That issue also featured Bishan Singh Bedi. When it came out, Doshi called me and said, “It’s not for nothing that Bishan is a legend. He’s spoken so well…”

A Cricketer Who Left Quietly

Doshi’s early cricket career was often overshadowed by the famous Indian spin quartet. Yet, he made his mark, influenced by legends like Garfield Sobers during his County stint.

Unhappy with the state of Indian cricket in the 1980s, he quietly stepped away from the international scene. His autobiography, Spin Punch, remains one of the most honest cricket memoirs.

BCCI president Roger Binny said, “He was a true artist of spin bowling, a gentleman both on and off the field… His contribution to Indian cricket will always be remembered.”

Doshi often quoted his favourite Rolling Stones song:

“You can’t always get what you want,
But if you try sometime,
You’ll find you get what you need…”

Dilip Doshi is survived by his wife Kalindi, son Nayan, a cricketer who played for Surrey and Saurashtra, and daughter Vishakha.

Farewell, Dilip da. And thank you for the memories.