Mumbai: Padmakar Shivalkar, a prominent figure in Mumbai cricket and one of the most accomplished domestic players to have never represented India passed away on Monday due to age-related complications. He was 84 years old.

As a left-arm spinner, Shivalkar excelled throughout his nearly thirty-year career, participating in 124 first-class matches for Mumbai. He achieved an impressive tally of 589 wickets at an average of 19.69. In recognition of his contributions, he received the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award from the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2017.

“He secured the most victories for Bombay and the West Zone. Unfortunately, he never had the opportunity to play for India,” remarked former Indian captain Dilip Vengsarkar.

Shivalkar made his debut in the Ranji Trophy during the 1961-62 season at the age of twenty and continued to represent Mumbai until the late 1980s when he was in his late forties. His remarkable first-class career also included 12 List-A matches in which he took 16 wickets, and he recorded 42 five-wicket hauls, with his best bowling figures being 8/16.

An unsung hero of Indian cricket, Shivalkar's emergence as a skilled left-arm orthodox spinner coincided with that of the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi. Despite his outstanding domestic statistics and performances, the Test call-up that Shivalkar rightfully deserved never materialized, overshadowed by Bedi's illustrious career.

“One of my regrets as captain of India is that I could not persuade the national selectors to include ‘Paddy’ in the Test squad,” stated Sunil Gavaskar. “He was far more deserving of the India cap than many who received it.”

While the national cap eluded him, Shivalkar remained a vital contributor to Mumbai cricket, serving as a cornerstone of their domestic success during a period of dominance. Some of his most remarkable performances occurred in crucial Ranji Trophy finals, notably against Tamil Nadu in the 1972-73 final, where he achieved figures of 8/16 and 5/18, leading Mumbai to victory.

He was the bowler renowned for dismissing the top batsman from the opposing team, thereby securing victories for Mumbai. His ability to bowl tirelessly, coupled with his economical run-up and elegant action, was noted by Gavaskar.

Following his playing career, Shivalkar maintained a strong connection to Mumbai cricket through various roles, including coach and selector. He dedicated significant time to scouting and developing talent in the maidans, particularly at Shivaji Park, which has been the birthplace of numerous Test cricketers.

“When we established the Shivaji Park Gymkhana Academy, we collaborated for a decade,” remarked former India batter Pravin Amre. “Our objective was to nurture at least one Test cricketer, and we were pleased to have successfully developed Shreyas Iyer and Shardul Thakur from that group.”

“He was an exceptionally humble individual, and his coaching approach reflected that simplicity. His loyalty to the sport was unwavering,” Amre added.

“A remarkable, kind-hearted man, an outstanding bowler, and a significant source of inspiration during the early stages of my career,” Ravi Shastri expressed on X.

“Mumbai cricket has suffered the loss of a true legend today. The contributions of Padmakar Shivalkar Sir to the game, particularly as one of the greatest spinners in history, will forever be cherished,” stated Ajinkya Naik, president of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA).

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