India's oldest living Test cricketer, Dattajirao Gaekwad passes away at 95

Former Indian Test captain Dattajirao Krishnarao Gaekwad, who held the record of being the oldest living Test cricketer in the country, died at his residence in Baroda on Tuesday. Dattajirao Gaekwad was 95 years old.

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Dattajirao was admitted for 12 days

According to the reports, Dattajirao Gaekwad was fighting for his life in the ICU of Baroda hospital for the last 12 days. He was kept under strict security surveillance, but this morning he breathed his last and passed away at the age of 95.

He made his debut against England in 1952

Dattajirao Gaekwad played 11 test matches for India between 1952 and 1961. Apart from this, this right-handed batsman also captained Team India on the England tour in 1959. Dattajirao made his debut against England in the year 1952. At the same time, he played his last match against Pakistan in Chennai in 1961. From 1947 to 1961, he represented Baroda in the Ranji Trophy.

During this period Dattajirao scored 3139 runs at an average of 47.56. This includes 14 century innings. His highest score was 249 not out against Maharashtra in the 1959–60 season.

He was the oldest living Test cricketer in 2016

In the year 2016, Dattajirao Gaekwad became the oldest living Test cricketer of Team India. Before him, Deepak Shodhan was India's oldest Test cricketer, who died in Ahmedabad at the age of 87.

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Dattajirao Gaekwad is the father of former coach of the Indian cricket team

Notably, Dattajirao Gaekwad is the father of former Indian cricketer and coach Anshuman Gaekwad. Anshuman represented India in 40 Tests and 15 ODIs between 1975 and 1987.

Dattajirao, who shared partnerships with legends such as Vijay Hazare, went on to become the first captain of the MS University's cricket team when it was formed and later, also coached the Baroda Ranji team until 2000. Gaekwad had also served as the joint secretary of the Baroda Cricket Association in the late 1960s along with cricket administrator Jaywant Lele. He had also served as the comptroller of Baroda State during his early years.