Padmakar Shivalkar, left-arm spin stalwart of 1960s and 70s, passes away | Cricket News

Padmakar Shivalkar, one of the finest left-arm spinners the country has produced, passed away in Mumbai on Monday. He was 84 and unwell for the past few months.
Shivalkar, one of the stalwarts in the 1960s and 70s when Mumbai ruled the domestic scene unchallenged, never got to represent the country as it was a period when Bishan Singh Bedi was the incumbent left-arm spinner in the Indian team. In 124 First-Class games, he amassed 589 wickets.
After retirement, Shivalkar also coached the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team.
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“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,” Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) president Ajinkya Naik said.
In 2017, Shivalkar was conferred with the BCCI CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award along with his contemporary left-arm spinner Rajendra Goel, who too didn’t get a chance to represent India.
“One of Mumbai’s greatest match-winners, a stalwart of the game who, despite his immense record in First-Class cricket, was unfortunate never to don the Indian cap,” former India opener Wasim Jaffer said. “A cricketer of remarkable humility and simplicity, he was admired both on and off the field. My deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time.”
After his playing days, Shivalkar involved himself in coaching at Shivaji Park. He spotted young talents like Harmeet Singh, who went on to play for India Under-19 and Mumbai, before representing the USA.
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Shivalkar was never one to crib about the past and the absence of an India cap.
“Hope you have lened to the iconic composition Main Zindagi ka saath nibhata Chala Gaya (from the movie Hum Dono). It has a line, Jo Mila Usiko Muqaddar samajh liya (Whatever you get is destiny). For me, I have reached that stage of life where these things have become trivial,” he was quoted PTI after receiving the BCCI award.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd

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