The Indian cricket team wore black armbands during their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semifinal against Australia at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The gesture honored legendary left-arm spinner Padmakar Shivalkar, who passed away on Monday at the age of 84.
BCCI’s Official Statement
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially confirmed the tribute on social media site X. “In memory of the late Shri Padmakar Shivalkar, Team India is wearing black armbands today,” BCCI tweeted.
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Shivalkar’s Legacy in Domestic Cricket
Shivalkar was among the best spinners of Indian domestic cricket. He had an incredible haul of 589 wickets from 124 first-class games at a remarkable average of 19.69. His accurate flight, accuracy, and capability to produce sharp turns made him a batters’ nightmare.
A key architect of Mumbai’s 15-season Ranji Trophy winning streak, Shivalkar delivered one of the tournament’s finest performances in the 1972–73 final. His 8 for 16 and 5 for 18 spell drove Bombay to a comprehensive win against Tamil Nadu.
His line and length control, his ability to extract turn even from dead pitches, and his indefatigable consistency made him one of the most respected bowlers of his generation. Even in his late forties, he kept outsmarting batters with his cunning spin.
Awards and Honors
Shivalkar, together with fellow left-arm spinner Rajinder Goel, was honored with the esteemed Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award by the BCCI in 2017.
His last public outing was recently when the Mumbai Cricket Association celebrated the 50th anniversary of Wankhede Stadium by felicitating him.
With India fighting out a high-profile semifinal against Australia, this tribute to Shivalkar testifies to the cricketing world’s deep admiration and respect for Shivalkar’s contribution to the sport.
