India and England walked out on Day 5 of the Headingley Test with black armbands on their sleeves, a quiet but powerful tribute to one of their own.
Former India left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi passed away in London on Monday due to cardiac arrest, prompting both India and England to pause for a moment’s silence before play resumed in Leeds.
Doshi, who made his debut at 32, was a rare late bloomer in international cricket and still went on to play 33 Tests and 15 ODIs.
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His legacy stretched far beyond the numbers, though even those were solid, with 114 Test wickets and 898 first-class dismissals across 238 matches.
BCCI pays tribute to Dilip Doshi after spin legend’s passing
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the news, mourning the loss of a cricketer who defied age and rewrote expectations.
“It is with deep sadness that we learn of the passing of Dilip Doshi. He was a true artist of spin bowling, a gentleman both on and off the field, and a dedicated servant of Indian cricket,” said BCCI President Roger Binny.
“His impact on the game was immense, and he inspired a generation of cricketers with his skill and dedication.”
BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia echoed the sentiment, calling Doshi’s legacy “etched in the annals of Indian cricket.”
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Doshi, who had recently attended the BCCI Awards and the WTC Final at Lord’s, was honored on Day 5 as both teams wore armbands.
Meanwhile, England need 350 runs on the final day to pull off a record chase at Headingley. India posted 364 in the second innings, thanks to centuries from KL Rahul (137) and Rishabh Pant (118).
Only once in 126 years has a side chased more than 370 at this venue, Australia in 1948 under Don Bradman.