Former India left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi has passed away at the age of 77 in London, leaving the cricketing world in mourning. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the news on Monday, June 23, 2025. Doshi, who represented India in 33 Tests and 15 ODIs between 1979 and 1983, died due to cardiac arrest. He is survived by his wife, Kalindi, and his son, Nayan.
The BCCI expressed their condolences via social media, stating, "The BCCI mourns the sad demise of former India spinner, Dilip Doshi, who has unfortunately passed away in London. May his soul rest in peace."
Born on December 22, 1947, Dilip Doshi made a late entry into international cricket, debuting at the age of 32. Despite his late start, he quickly established himself as a key member of the Indian team. Doshi was known for his classical left-arm spin, characterized by his impeccable control and remarkable accuracy.
In his Test career, Doshi picked up 114 wickets, including six five-wicket hauls. He also took 22 wickets in ODIs. Doshi is remembered as one of the few cricketers to take 100 wickets after making his debut at the age of 30. His debut itself was memorable, registering figures of 6/103 against a strong Australian side in 1979. In the same series, he took a match-haul of 8/103, helping India to a famous innings victory. One of the high points of his career was India's Test win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in 1981, where he took five wickets while bowling with a fractured toe.
Before his international career, Doshi played extensively in the Indian domestic circuit, representing Bengal and Saurashtra. He also played for Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire in English county cricket. In total, he secured 898 first-class wickets with 43 five-wicket hauls.
The Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) also expressed their grief, describing Doshi as "a revered, distinguished, and prominent figure in the world of cricket," leaving behind "a rich legacy of sportsmanship, commitment, and excellence." They noted that Doshi was "a true and spirited Saurashtrian and a legendary left-arm leg-spinner in the cricket world," further adding that despite his late debut, he achieved many remarkable milestones and was a pure match-winner.
Several figures from the cricketing fraternity have paid tribute to Doshi. Former BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah called Doshi's passing a personal loss, describing him as "one of the finest human beings" he had ever known. Former India captain Anil Kumble offered his condolences to Doshi's family. Cheteshwar Pujara recalled his interactions with Doshi during his time playing county cricket for Sussex, mentioning Doshi's soft spot for Saurashtra players and how he would text Pujara when he performed well for the Indian team.
Dilip Doshi remained connected to the game even after retirement. Earlier this month, he attended the BCCI awards function and the World Test Championship final at Lord's. His insights and expertise will be missed by the cricketing community.
