India

Dilip Vengsarkar

Born: April 06, 1956, Rajapur, Maharashtra

Dilip Vengsarkar bio

Dilip Balwant Vengsarkar, nicknamed “Colonel,” was not just an elegant stroke player but also a tormentor of even the strongest attacks during his illustrious cricket career. Born on April 6, 1956, in Bombay, India, Vengsarkar established himself as one of India’s finest batsmen, playing a pivotal role in shaping the country’s cricketing fortunes during his over decade-long tenure.

Vengsarkar’s tryst with cricket began when he burst onto the scene as a teenager, showcasing his immense talent and potential. In his debut match for Bombay against Rest of India in the Irani Trophy in 1975, he mesmerized the crowd with a breezy century, single-handedly dismantling the seasoned duo of Bishan Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna. Recognizing his capabilities, he was swiftly inducted into the Indian national team, albeit success took a bit of time to come his way.

It was during the tour of Australia in 1977-78 that Vengsarkar finally cemented his place in the Indian team. From then on, he became one of India’s batting stalwarts, consistently delivering commendable performances. For a significant part of the late 1970s and 1980s, he stood among the best batsmen in the country, and during a purple patch from 1986 to 1988, he was a strong contender for the title of the world’s leading player. In just 16 Tests during this period, he scored an impressive eight centuries.

Vengsarkar’s most notable achievement was becoming the first cricketer to score three centuries against England at the hallowed Lord’s Cricket Ground. His exquisite drives, effortless pulls, and fearless hooks were celebrated by fans and opponents alike. In a match against the West Indies in Calcutta in 1978-79, Vengsarkar partnered with Sunil Gavaskar to establish an unbroken record-breaking partnership of 344 runs for the second wicket.

Vengsarkar’s leadership abilities were also acknowledged, as he captained the Indian team in ten Tests. However, his captaincy stint was not without controversies, and he was relieved of the role in 1989 following a controversial tour to the USA for festival matches. Although he experienced a temporary setback and lost his place in the side, he made a brief comeback in the early 1990s. Unfortunately, he couldn’t replicate his earlier form and dominance.

At the time of his retirement in 1992, Vengsarkar’s name stood second only to the legendary Sunil Gavaskar in terms of runs and centuries scored in Test matches for India. His contributions to Indian cricket were not limited to his playing career. From 2006 to 2008, Vengsarkar served as the chairman of selectors for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Dilip Balwant Vengsarkar’s remarkable achievements on the field, coupled with his leadership roles off the field, have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. Underneath his tall and slim frame resided an extraordinary batsman, known for his elegance and the ability to dominate even the fiercest bowlers. Today, he stands as a revered figure, admired for his contributions to the sport both as a player and as a selector.

Dilip Vengsarkar career stats

Batting stats

Batting Matches Innings Nos Runs High score Ave BF SR 100s 50s 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 116 185 22 6868 166 42.13 - - 17 35 - 17 78 0
T20Is - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ODIs 129 120 19 3508 105 34.73 5179 67.73 1 23 - - 37 0
FC 260 390 52 17868 284 52.86 - - 55 87 - - 179 0
List A 174 162 25 4835 105 35.29 - - 1 35 - - 51 0
T20s - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bowling stats

Bowling Matches Innings Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10w
Tests 116 6 47 36 0 - - - 4.59 - 0 0 0
T20Is - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ODIs 129 1 6 4 0 - - - 4 - 0 0 0
FC 260 - 199 126 1 1/31 - 126 3.79 199 - 0 0
List A 174 - 12 8 0 - - - 4 - 0 0 0
T20s - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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