Doshi, a late bloomer in international cricket because of the presence of Bishan Singh Bedi, made his test debut in 1979 and claimed 114 Wickets in 33 tests, including six five-wicket distance. (A file photo) Photocredit: Vijay Soneji/The Hindu
Former India left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi, who took a niche for himself even though he was in the shadow of Bishan Singh Bedi, died on Monday due to heart rate in London, said the Saurashtra Cricket Association.
He was 77 and is survived by his wife Kalindi, son Nayan, who also played Cricket in the first class, and daughter Vishhakha.
Doshi made his test debut in 1979 after the Bedi retirement and played his last of his 33 games in 1983.
In those competitions he took 114 wickets with six five-wicket distance and was exceptional at home during the first three seasons, completing 100 scores in just 28 tests.
His best hour got five wickets in the test of India in the MCG in 1981 when the visitors defended a poor target.
Doshi bowed with a broken toe and was literally unplayable on a mcg number up and down. Doshi, Karsan Ghavri and the unparalleled Kapil Dev won that game for India.
He was also a steadfast circuit of the English province and had packed his trade there for more than a decade. He represented Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire.
“Dilip Bhai had a heart attack in London. He is no longer,” Saurashtra told PTI.
“Dilip’s death is a personal loss for me. He was like a family. He was one of the best people,” said former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah.
In the Indian domestic circuit he played for Bengal and Saurashtra. All in all, he had no less than 898 first-class scalp with 43 five-fors.
For years he was the go-to man of Bengalen in Ranji Trophy.
While Bedi remains the largest left-arm spinner of India, Doshi was one of the most accurate bowlers that would flee the ball when needed and was very accurate for the most of his career.
The Touring Australian, English and West Indies teams found it difficult to handle his bracels, and it was Javed Miandad, who hurried his exit from international cricket during the 1982-83 series.
The brilliant cricket player was a gentleman to the core.
Miandad often teased him by asking about his room number in the middle of the game.
“AE Dilip tela weaving rope Kya Hai,” would ask Miandad on a slurry tone.
His batting and fielding in those days was not great, but at the time he could survive because his bowling was from Top drawer.
He was a good friend of Sunil Gavaskar and the legend was first introduced to his wife Marshaniel by Doshi.
After his retirement, he migrated to London where he became a successful businessman.
He would divide his time between London, Mumbai and Rajkot, and it was quite strange that the BCCI never took the trouble to use Doshi’s expertise.
Former India captain Anil Kumble was one of the first to tribute to the late cricket player.
“Heartbreaking to hear about the death of Dilip Bhai. May God give his family and friends strength to bear this loss. Nayan, thinking of your size,” wrote Kumble on X.
Published on June 24, 2025
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