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Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar slammed the Indian cricket team and BCCI for the delayed black armband gesture in memory of former captain Dattajirao Gaekwad. Gaekwad who played 11 Tests for India between 1951 and 1962 died on February 13 at the age of 95. He was India’s oldest living Test cricketer and was the father of former India batter and coach Anshuman Gaekwad. On Day 3 of the third Test against Ben Stokes’ England, Rohit Sharma and Co. paid tribute to Gaekwad by wearing black armbands, and the gesture didn’t go well with Gavaskar for all the right reasons.
The BCCI released a statement shortly after the commencement of Day 3 at the Niranjan Shah Stadium and informed fans about the same. The statement read, “Team India will be wearing black armbands in memory of Dattajirao Gaekwad, former India captain and India's oldest Test cricketer who passed away recently.” 1983 World Cup champion Gavaskar schooled the home team for their gesture and said that they could have done it on Day 1.
In the commentary box, Gavaskar said, "Better late than never... they should've done it on Day 1 but better late than never. He was captain of the Indian team in a five-match series. He captained four out of the five matches and the other one was captained by Pankaj Roy.” Gaekwad, the oldest living Test cricketer since the death of Deepak Shodan in 2016, passed away in his hometown, Baroda.
Gaekwad led India during the 1959 tour of England and his death was mourned by the BCCI as well. In an official statement, the cricketing board wrote, The BCCI expresses its profound grief at the passing away of Dattajirao Gaekwad, former India captain and India's oldest Test cricketer. He played in 11 Tests and led the team during India's Tour of England in 1959. Under his captaincy, Baroda also won the Ranji Trophy in the 1957-58 season, beating Services in the final. The Board expresses its heartfelt condolences to Gaekwad's family, friends, and admirers.”
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