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Legendary Mumbai cricketer Padmakar Shivalkar, one of India’s finest left-arm spinners, passed away at the age of 84 due to age-related issues.
Shivalkar, a stalwart of Indian domestic cricket, played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s dominance in the Ranji Trophy. Despite his exceptional performances, he was often regarded as one of the best cricketers to have never played for India due to the presence of India’s famous spin quartet in his era.
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Tributes Pour In for Padmakar Shivalkar
Following his demise, several cricketers and political figures paid their respects to the Mumbai cricket great.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:
🗣️ “The news of the demise of former Mumbai cricketer Padmakar Shivalkar is very sad. With his left-arm orthodox bowling, he had shown the way to many veteran batsmen. With his demise, a star has been lost in the cricket world. May God grant his soul eternal peace and give his family and fans the strength to overcome this grief. Heartfelt condolences…”
Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Ajinkya Naik also paid tribute, stating:
🗣️ “Mumbai cricket has lost a true legend today. Padmakar Shivalkar Sir’s contribution to the game, especially as one of the finest spinners of all time, will always be remembered. His dedication, skill, and impact on Mumbai cricket are unparalleled. His passing is an irreplaceable loss to the cricketing fraternity. May his soul rest in peace.”
Former India and Karnataka cricketer Dodda Ganesh expressed his condolences, writing on X:
🗣️ “Padmakar Shivalkar sir was definitely one of the greatest cricketers who should’ve played for India. Nonetheless, he’s still a legend of the game. Rest in peace, sir, your contribution to the game of cricket is huge. Thoughts and prayers 🙏”
Padmakar Shivalkar’s Glorious Career
According to PTI stats, Shivalkar made his Ranji Trophy debut at the age of 22 and continued playing until he was 48. His dominance in Indian domestic cricket remains unparalleled:
🏏 361 wickets in Ranji Trophy, including eleven 10-wicket hauls
🏏 589 First-Class wickets in 124 matches at an impressive average of 19.69
🏏 16 wickets in 12 List A matches
Shivalkar was a crucial part of Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy dominance from 1961-62 to 1987-88, often single-handedly dismantling opposition line-ups with his deceptive left-arm spin.
Despite his stellar performances, he never got an opportunity to represent India at the highest level, primarily due to the dominance of the famed Indian spin quartet—Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, and S. Venkataraghavan—who ruled Indian cricket during that era.
Honors and Legacy
In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian cricket, Padmakar Shivalkar was honored with the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Shivalkar’s name will always be remembered among the greatest spinners in Indian domestic cricket history, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of cricketers.
May his soul rest in peace. 🙏
