Deepak Shodhan passes away aged 87

Deepak Shodhan, who was India's oldest living cricketer, passed away today morning at his residence in Ahmedabad, aged 87. He was battling lung cancer, which was detected in February this year.

A versatile cricketer, Shodhan was a left-arm batsman who could also bowl left-arm medium pace. He was also the first Indian to score a Test century in his very first innings, thereby becoming only the second Indian batsman to score a Test ton.

Born on October 18, 1928, in Ahmedabad, Shodhan made his Test debut in the fifth Test of the inaugural Test series between India and Pakistan, in 1952. Coming in to bat with India struggling at 179/6, Shodhan shepherded the Indian tail as he compiled a fine 110. The match ended in a draw and India won the series by a 2-1 margin.

The tour of West Indies, in March-April, 1953, turned out to Shodhan's final appearance for India. He featured in the Tests at Port-of-Spain and Kingston, where he took ill and didn't bat in either innings. It turned out to be the last time he played for India, finishing with a career aggregate of 181 runs from 3 Tests, at an impressive average of 60.33.

Shodhan was a prominent feature for Gujarat at the domestic level, starring with both bat and ball. In 43 first-class games, he racked up 1802 runs, at an average of 31.61, with a highest score of 261. He also nabbed 73 wickets, inclusive of three five-wicket hauls.