The Indian team took field in black armbands for their 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia at Dubai.
Padmakar Shivalkar, a giant of Indian domestic cricket, passed away on March 3, 2025. From 124 first-class matches, mostly for Bombay (now Mumbai), Shivalkar claimed 589 wickets at 19.69.
His most famous performance came in the 1972-73 Ranji Trophy final: S Venkataraghavan and VV Kumar, shared 14 wickets to bowl out Bombay for 151 and 113, but Shivalkar (8-16 and 5-18) spun his team home, routing Tamil Nadu for 80 and 61.
Unfortunately, being a contemporary of Bishan Singh Bedi meant that Shivalkar never got to play Test cricket. Throughout the 1970s, however, he was the main bowler for a very strong Bombay (and West Zone) side in domestic cricket, and held his own against some of India’s greatest spinners of all time in domestic cricket. The BCCI honoured him with the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
“Indian cricket has lost a true legend today,” lamented BCCI president Roger Binny, Shivalkar’s former adversary in domestic cricket. “Padmakar Shivalkar’s mastery over left-arm spin and his deep understanding of the game made him a revered figure in domestic cricket. His exceptional career and selfless contribution to Mumbai and Indian Cricket will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
The Indian team are donning black armbands at the semi-final against Australia, who brought in Tanveer Sangha and Cooper Connolly for Spencer Johnson and the injured Matthew Short, and opted to bat. India are unchanged.
1st Semi-Final, India vs Australia
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