21 Facts About Dilip Sardesai

Dilip Narayan Sardesai was an Indian international cricketer.

Dilip Sardesai played Tests for the Indian national team as a batsman, the first Goa-born cricketer to play for India, and was often regarded as one of India's best batsmen against spin, although Indian batsmen have been known to play better against spin.

Dilip Sardesai studied in the New Era high school there.

Dilip Sardesai's family moved to Bombay in 1957, when Sardesai was 17.

Dilip Sardesai attended the city's Wilson College where his cricketing talent was spotted by coach 'Manya' Naik.

Dilip Sardesai studied at the Siddharth College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Fort, Mumbai.

Dilip Sardesai made the playing XI, thus making his first-class debut, against Pakistan in Pune in November 1960.

Dilip Sardesai went on to make 87 in 194 minutes in his only innings of the match, while taking Hanif Mohammad's catch with his fielding.

Dilip Sardesai was included in the India team for the Second Test of England's India tour, in Kanpur, in December 1961.

Dilip Sardesai toured the West Indies later in the season, playing in three of the five Tests.

Dilip Sardesai was captain Nari Contractor's opening partner in a tour game against Barbados that saw the former hit on the head by a Charlie Griffith delivery after Sardesai had lost his wicket.

Dilip Sardesai scored 31 and 60 in the Test at Bridgetown, opening the batting, but was dropped after he was dismissed for a pair in the following match.

Dilip Sardesai recovered to appear in the Second Test back at Lord's, but a broken finger sustained during that match ended his tour.

Dilip Sardesai hit another 150 in the Fourth Test after India were 70 for 6.

Dilip Sardesai scored 54 and 40 in the Indian win over England at the Oval in 1971, which led to another series win.

Dilip Sardesai played for Bombay in the Ranji Trophy in 13 seasons, between 1961 and 1973, including 10 finals, and never finished on the losing side.

Dilip Sardesai scored 199 against Rajasthan in the 1967 final.

Dilip Sardesai is currently a visiting faculty in some of Mumbai's leading colleges.

Dilip Sardesai's cousin Sopandev was a cricketer, who played as a wicket-keeper in the first-class level for Rajputana.

Dilip Sardesai was the editor-in-chief of IBN18 Network prior to his resignation in 2014; his wife Sagarika Ghose is a journalist.

One of Dilip Sardesai's daughters, Shonali, is a senior social scientist with the World Bank in Washington, DC.