Candid, forthright but grounded, Dilip Doshi was a cricketer par excellence

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During India’s 2020–21 tour of Australia, former captain Dilip Vengsarkar suggested I speak to Dilip Doshi ahead of the Melbourne Test. He shared Doshi sir’s contact number — and that was it. What followed was more than just an interview. After learning that we had first met during an India-Australia Test at the Wankhede Stadium, Doshi sir — as I’ll fondly remember him for the rest of my life — treated me like family. It wasn’t just his knowledge of the game, but the warmth, dignity, and generosity he carried that left a lasting impression on me. The news of his sad demise has shaken me like never before. I came to know of it from a facebook post from senior journalist from Kolkata — Elora Sen — saying that he was one of the finest and most underrated spinners to play for India.

It was only on Friday that I had shared a few of my singing videos with him — and he was genuinely elated by my performance, responding with words that I will always cherish. “Very well sung, Indranil, with clear pronunciation. Both my wife Kalindi and I listened to the video twice and thoroughly enjoyed it. Very good indeed. Keep it up,” he wrote.

But in true Doshi fashion — candid, caring, and never mincing words — he also offered a sincere word of caution about my health. “But why have you become so big? Please, kindly take care of yourself. You should not weigh more than 70 kilos at most. Don’t take pride in this, please. My request is: get well. A lion doesn’t eat much — it’s a slim animal, if you’ve noticed,” he told me, gently but firmly urging me to “take it seriously.”

But honestly, I still can’t believe he’s no more. Such a lovely soul — warm, insightful, and a true connoisseur of both cricket and music. A close friend of Mick Jagger (The Rolling Stones), he was as passionate about melodies as he was about the game. He watched every match with keen interest and, just a day before the World Test Championship final, told me how excited he was to watch it unfold.

“I live very close to Lord’s and love watching Test matches,” he would often say, his voice full of the same joy and anticipation that made every conversation with him so special.

Most importantly, he remained closely connected with much of the cricketing fraternity — just like a true family member. He genuinely cared about people, and he took exceptional care of himself too. He often spoke about eating the right food and strongly encouraged me to turn vegan. In fact, he’d even send a message just to check if I was awake before calling — such was his thoughtfulness.

Doshi sir played tough cricket and never shied away from a challenge. After all, how many cricketers make their Test debut at the age of 32 and still leave a lasting legacy? That was the kind of determination and discipline he embodied, both on and off the field.

Whether it was Virat Kohli taking paternity leave after India were bowled out for 36 in the Adelaide Test — with Doshi sir even making a bold statement like Kohli abandoning a sinking ship — or the tragic stampede incident following the IPL final in Bangalore, Doshi sir was always present in my life, offering perspective grounded in reality.

His ability to see things as they were — without noise, bias, or emotion clouding his judgment — was what made his words so valuable. In moments of national debate or personal confusion, he brought clarity, wisdom, and calm — always connected to what truly mattered. In other words, like the way he bowled, there won’t be another Dilip Doshi kind of a man and cricketer. He was everywhere and he will be in our heart forever!

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