Deepak Shodhan

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This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content.

A profile

The Times of India, May 17 2016

Ajit Bezbaruah

A thorough gentleman, Shodhan was India's first batsman to score a century on debut in the first innings of a Test. He accomplished the feat against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens in December 1952. But surprisingly , Shodhan announced his retirement after playing just two more Tests when India toured the West Indies in 1953. Shodhan scored 45 and 11 in the first Test against West Indies and was dropped from the team only to be picked again for the last and fifth Test where he could bat only in the second innings as he fell ill during the first innings. Despite being under the weather, Shodhan, batting at No. 10, scored an unbeaten 15, thereby forcing a draw. That was the last time his name figured in an Indian scorecard.

However, he continued to play First Class cricket for Gujarat and Baroda till 1962. Shodhan scored 1802 runs and picked 73 wickets in 43 First Class matches between 1946 and 1962. His highest First Class score was 261 and his best bowling figures in an innings were 5-49.

Many believed that a senior and influential cricketer's acute dislike for Shodhan was the sole reason behind his curtailed career. “If performance alone had been the criteria, I would not have played just three Tests. It is sad, but that's the way it is. I don't want to blame anybody . But yes, I was just a cricketer, not a politician, so I paid the price,“ Shodhan had told TOI during an interview in 2015. “During my debut hundred I started my innings with two consecutive boundaries and also reached my hundred with two consecutive hits to the ropes. That is how I always played my cricket. I was an aggressive batsman, I didn't like to waste too much time in the middle.“

India's oldest Test cricketer, Roshan HarshadlalShodhan, better known as Deepak Shodhan, passed away in 2016. Despite his ailment, he remained enthusiastic enough to accompany his better half Gauri to social gatherings. He also play ed cricket with his great grandchildren. Shodhan was 87.