The Indian cricket team, captained by Rohit Sharma, took to the field on Tuesday for the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 against Australia at the Dubai International Stadium. The players donned black armbands to pay tribute to the late Padmakar Shivalkar, a revered figure in domestic cricket, who recently passed away due to age-related health issues.

"In memory of the late Shri Padmakar Shivalkar, Team India is wearing black armbands today," stated the BCCI shortly before the match commenced.

Shivalkar was regarded as one of the finest spinners in Indian cricket history, yet he never had the opportunity to represent the national team, competing during the era of legends such as Bishan Singh Bedi. He was 84 years old at the time of his death in Mumbai on March 3.

Who was Padmakar Shivalkar?

A formidable presence in the Ranji Trophy, Shivalkar participated in 124 first-class matches, amassing an impressive total of 589 wickets at an exceptional average of 19.69. His skill in deceiving batsmen through flight, precision, and turn established him as one of the premier spinners in Indian domestic cricket. Notably, he delivered a remarkable performance in the 1972–73 Ranji Trophy final, taking 8 wickets for 16 runs and 5 wickets for 18 runs, leading Mumbai (formerly Bombay) to a decisive victory over Tamil Nadu.

Shivalkar was celebrated for his extraordinary control over line and length, his ability to generate sharp turn even on less responsive pitches, and his unwavering consistency. His bowling style, characterized by finesse and cunning, posed challenges to even the most accomplished batsmen of his era. His enduring presence in the sport reflected his resilience and dedication, as he continued to outsmart batsmen well into his late forties.

Although he never played for India at the international level, as his career coincided with that of the legendary left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi, Shivalkar's significant contributions to Indian cricket were formally acknowledged when he received the esteemed Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award from the BCCI in 2017.

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