Former India spinner Dilip Doshi has passed away aged 77 in London, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on Monday. Doshi, a late bloomer in Test cricket, played 33 Test matches for India and had picked 114 wickets during his days.
The Indian Board shared the development through a social media post. "The BCCI mourns the sad demise of former India spinner, Dilip Doshi, who has unfortunately passed away in London. May his soul rest in peace," the BCCI wrote in a social media post.
Doshi, a left-arm spinner, made his debut at 32 with India. He went on to play 33 matches and took 114 wickets in the longest format. Doshi featured in 15 ODIs and scalped 22 wickets in them.
The spinner was highly prolific in the domestic circuit. He had made his First-class debut in 1968 and played the format till 1986, until his retirement. During his 238 appearances in first-class cricket, and took 898 wickets in them.
Former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah expressed pain at Doshi's death. "It is an extremely painful and personal loss for me. Dilip was not only one of the legendary cricketers, but also one of the finest human beings I have ever known. His noble heart, integrity, and priceless dedication to the game made him truly special," Shah, who is a close associate of Doshi, said.
The Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) President, Jaydev Shah, also expressed his condolences on the tragic development. "His passing is an irreparable loss to the cricketing fraternity, and to all of us who had the honour of knowing him. His legacy, both as a player and a person, will continue to live in our hearts and in the history of cricket. This is an incredibly painful and personal loss for me. He was not just a legendary cricketer- he was my uncle, my mentor, and someone I looked up to throughout my life," Shah said.