Former Indian cricketer Anshuman Gaikwad was born on this day (September 23) in 1952. Anshuman was also known as ‘The Great Wall’ due to his defensive technique. Whenever we talk about the most combative cricketers of the Indian cricket team, Anshuman Gaikwad’s name is definitely mentioned. Anshuman Gaekwad passed away on July 31 this year. He was suffering from blood cancer for a long time.
When Anshuman Gaekwad clashed with fearsome bowlers
The duo of Gaekwad and Sunil Gavaskar was a hit in the 1970s. While the great batsman Sunil Gavaskar scored runs from one end, alongside him Gaekwad was adept at countering and squandering the pacers’ attacks early in the innings. His most aggressive innings came on a dangerous track in Jamaica in 1975-76. In that match, Indian captain Bishan Bedi refused to bat against West Indies’ dangerous bowling. But Gaikwad made 81 against Michael Holding’s short ball, although he had to be admitted to hospital with a head injury.
Also became the head coach of Team India
Anshuman Gaikwad made his debut for India in 1974. He played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India. Gaikwad last played for India in 1984 against England in Kolkata. He scored 1985 runs at an average of 30 in Tests, including 2 centuries and 10 fifties.
Anshuman Gaikwad made his ODI cricket debut in the 1975 World Cup where Anshuman scored 22 runs off 46 balls. At the same time, he scored only 289 runs in his 15 ODI matches. Several years after his cricket career ended, he became the coach of the Indian team in 1997. He was the coach of the Indian team for two years. While he was the coach, the Indian team defeated Australia in the tri-series in Sharjah in 1998.
Father was the captain of Team India
Anshuman Gaikwad was born on 23 September 1952 in Bombay (now Mumbai). His father Dattajirao Gaikwad was also a Test cricketer and captain of the Indian team. He played 11 Tests for India between 1952 and 1961. During this period he was made the captain of Team India during the 1959 tour of England. In these 11 Test matches, he scored 3139 runs at an average of 47.56, including 14 centuries. He became India’s oldest Test cricketer in 2016. Dutta Gaekwad passed away this year at the age of 95.
