Currently, the 2024 England tour of India is underway and after a couple of Tests, the series is level at 1-1. Today was Day 3 of the ongoing 3rd Test in Rajkot and the Indian cricketers walked out sporting black armbands. Everyone began to wonder why Team India wore these black bands on their sleeves, and we’re here to answer that question for you today.
In sports, black armbands are usually worn as a mark of respect or mourning, and that’s why they’ve done the same today as well. Former Indian cricketer Dattajirao Krishnarao Gaekwad, also known as Datta Gaekwad, passed away at the age of 95 years, on 13th Feb 2024, and they’re wearing the black armbands because of the same.
India sports black armbands in memory of Datta Gaekwad
The former Indian batsman played 11 Tests for India and had a top score of 52 with the bat. Born in October 1928, he represented Baroda in the First Class circuit, playing 110 games with a total tally of 5,788 FC runs and a top score of 249*. He even captained India on the 1959 tour of West Indies.
Rest in Peace, Datta Gaekwad who passed away at 95 today, India’s oldest international cricketer.
Longest living/lived Indian players:
95 years – Datta Gaekwad (1929-2024)
94 years – MJ Gopalan (1909-2003)
(*MJ Gopalan claims that he was born in 1906 but the year of birth was… pic.twitter.com/R7Rxc2UpiS— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) February 13, 2024
Datta Gaekwad has created a record even upon his death, becoming the oldest living / lived Indian cricketer. He has left behind a long legacy of cricket as well, his son Anshuman Gaekwad having played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for Team India, with a best Test score of 201, and a record 206 FC matches and 12,136 runs, representing Baroda as well.
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The family had three generations of batsmen in it, with Datta’s grandson Shatrunjay Gaekwad also representing Baroda U-19, Baroda, and then Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) during the initial years of the tournament. He played 23 FC games for Baroda and had a top score of 118 in those games.
He lived his life in Baroda and passed away at the age of 95 years, in Baroda itself. In the ongoing Test, Ravi Ashwin created a record of 500 Test wickets but then had to leave the game due to a personal emergency. Indian fields 10 players till he returns, with his substitute being unable to bat or bowl in the rest of the game.
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