Watch: Rajdeep Sardesai’s take on his father Dilip Sardesai

Watch: Rajdeep Sardesai’s take on his father Dilip Sardesai: Dilip Sardesai was the only Goa born cricketer to play for India and was often regarded as India’s greatest batsman against spin bowling then. Born in a Saraswat Brahmin family Sardesai made his first mark in cricket in the inter-university Rohinton Baria trophy in 1959–60 where he made 435 runs at an average of 87.

Sardesai had little to show in first class cricket in 1961–62, except for a 281 against Gujarat in a university match, but made his Test debut in the 2nd Test against England at Kanpur in December 1961. A technically correct player, the solid and wristy Sardesai was proficient against spin, but in the West Indies tour of 1971 he showed his mettle against pace, and pulled India repeatedly out of quicksand. He scored 642 runs, with two centuries and a double ton. He was also instrumental in India winning the Test series in England in 1971. His scores of 54 and 40 in the Oval Test helped India win the game. His Test career though came to an end soon after and he retired from all forms of cricket at the end of the 1972-73 season. An annual lecture in his memory known as the “Dilip Sardesai Memorial Lecture” is delivered by esteemed cricketers at the Cricket Club of India, Mumbai. His son Rajdeep is a household name in Indian Journalism. He worked as the Editor-in-Chief of the CNN IBN network and is now the consulting Editor of the TV Today group.

Today on his birthday, watch Rajdeep talking about how he remembers his father and also laments on not being able to see him play live.

Watch: Rajdeep Sardesai’s take on his father Dilip Sardesai: