Shiv Sunder Das, hailed as the answer to India’s quest for a genuine Test opener, is a talented cricketer from India. Born on May 29, 1977, in Orissa, India, Das has had a rollercoaster ride in his cricketing career.
Das made his debut for the Indian Test team against Zimbabwe and showed immense promise as an opener. He possessed all the right attributes of a successful opener – excellent judgment of his off stump, precise footwork, and a composed head in both defensive and attacking situations. However, despite being India’s first-choice opener for a considerable period, Das struggled to convert his good starts into big scores, leaving his backers disappointed.
One of the few cricketers from the cricketing backwater of Orissa to make it to the national team, Das faced a significant challenge when the Indian team toured the West Indies in 2002. He struggled against the tall West Indian fast bowlers, often finding himself trapped on the back foot due to a lack of judgment of the length. This tour marked a turning point in Das’ career as he was unable to establish himself as a consistent performer at the international level.
In a bid to reclaim his place in the national team, Das captained India A during their tour of England. However, his performance was unremarkable, averaging 43 with the bat, while several other batsmen outperformed him. Despite hitting his maiden triple hundred in the 2006-07 season against Jammu & Kashmir, Das failed to impress the selectors, who overlooked him for national team selection.
Das faced further disappointment when he was stripped of his captaincy and dropped from the Orissa team in the 2010-11 season after a string of poor performances, only managing to score five runs in five innings. This setback dealt a severe blow to his cricketing career.
Despite the ups and downs, Das remains a talented batsman and a respected figure in Indian cricket. His ability to judge the off stump and his meticulous footwork sets him apart from many other batsmen. Although he is yet to score a century against a formidable bowling attack, he has notched up two centuries against Zimbabwe in Nagpur.
Shiv Sunder Das’ contribution to cricket in Orissa and his triple hundred have not gone unnoticed. The Orissa Cricket Association recognized his achievement by awarding him a cash prize of Rs 30,000, highlighting his potential and ability to perform at a high level.
As of now, Das continues to work hard on his game, aiming to regain his spot in the national team. His determination and dedication make him a true fighter, capable of overcoming challenges and making a strong comeback.
