Dilip Narayan Sardesai, born on August 8, 1940. He was a legendary Indian cricketer who made a name for himself as a top-notch batsman for the national team. Not only was he the first cricketer from Goa to represent India, but he was also widely recognized for his exceptional ability to tackle spin bowlers. Despite the fact that India has produced many accomplished players against spin, Sardesai truly stood out as one of the best.

During a game against Barbados, Sardesai’s batting came to an unfortunate end just before Indian team captain Nari Contractor was struck by a devastating injury from a bumper thrown by Charlie Griffith. The injury put the Contractor’s career in jeopardy and opened a spot for Sardesai in the team. Sardesai seized the opportunity by opening the batting and delivering solid performances with scores of 31 and 60 in the Bridgetown Test. However, despite his strong showing, a poor performance in the next match resulted in Sardesai losing his place on the team.

When the Indian cricket team set off on the 1971 tour, Dilip Narayan Sardesai was a surprise addition to the roster. This tour marked the debut of the young Sunil Gavaskar, who went on to score an impressive 774 runs at an average of 154.80 in just four Tests. However, while Gavaskar’s performances were undoubtedly impressive, it was Sardesai’s ability to consistently deliver in high-pressure situations that truly helped the team to achieve success. 

After his performance in the 1971 tour the West Indians fans started calling him ‘Sardee-Singh’ This tour gave him the name ‘The Renaissance Man of Indian cricket’. 

Full NameDilip Narayan Sardesai
Full Name in Hindiदिलीप नारायण सरदेसाई
ProfessionCricketer (Batsman)
Date of Birth8th August 1940
Date of Death8 August 1940
Age83 years
Mother TongueHindi
NationalityIndian
Zodiac/Sun SignLeo
Birth Place/ Home TownMargao, Goa, Portuguese India
Died AtMumbai, India
Batting StyleRight hand Bat
Bowling StyleRight-arm Bowler

Dilip Sardesai Education

Dilip Sardesai was raised in the charming town of Margao, which was once a part of Portuguese India. Despite the lack of cricketing facilities in the area during his childhood in the 1950s, Sardesai’s passion for the sport was evident from a young age.

When he was 17, his family made the move to Bombay, where he attended Wilson College, and it was there that his cricketing skills were discovered by coach ‘Manya’ Naik. Sardesai also studied at Siddharth College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Fort, Mumbai, where he honed his talent and eventually went on to become a legendary player for the Indian national team.

School New Era high school
College Wilson CollegeSiddharth College of Arts, Science and Commerce
Degree/Graduation Graduation

Dilip Sardesai Wife, Family

Dilip Sardesai was married to his wife Nandini Sardesai, whom he met in Mumbai’s Berry restaurant, they met, after leaving they decided to be in touch and after a couple of years they decided to get married. They have two children together. Their son Rajdeep Sardesai is a well-known journalist and their daughter Shonali Sardesai is working in Washington DC with the World Bank as a senior social scientist.

Parent’s NameFather: Narayan Sardesai (Insurance agent)
Mother: Not Known
SiblingsYet To Update
SpouseNandini Pant
ChildrenDaughter: Shonali SardesaiSon: Rajdeep SardesaiDaughter-in-law: Sagarika Ghose 

Dilip Sardesai Career, Awards

The 1970-71 West Indies tour was a make-or-break moment for Dilip Sardesai. Despite it looking as if his cricketing career had come to an end, he was given one last chance and he made the most of it. He emerged as a true game-changer for the Indian team in the historic year of 1971. Sardesai was known for his technical proficiency and his ability to handle spin bowlers. But on that tour, he proved that he was also a force to be reckoned with against fast bowlers, consistently rescuing the team from difficult situations. He truly was the Renaissance man of Indian cricket on that tour.

The newly appointed captain Ajit Wadekar had faith in Sardesai’s abilities and insisted on his inclusion in the Indian cricket team for the 1971 tour of the West Indies. Sardesai did not disappoint, scoring three centuries, including a double, and finishing as the second-highest run-scorer with 642 runs in the five-match series, just behind Sunil Gavaskar who was playing his first series and scored 774 runs. It was a great series for the Indian team, and Sardesai played an instrumental role in their success.

After his retirement and death, the Gov. Of Goa instituted Dilip Sardesai Sports Excellence Award in 2009, which they give out every year on the occasion of National Sports day.

Milind Deora, a politician, paid tribute to Dilip Sardesai by naming a chowk (crossing) in his honor. The crossing, located near Colaba, is now known as The Dilip Sardesai Chowk, a fitting tribute to the cricketing legend’s contributions to the sport and the city.

Dilip Sardesai Scam

In 1993 the cricketer was caught in a controversy, which got him arrested, the case was: former Indian test cricketer Dilip Sardesai and a prominent Pune-based businessman Jayant Vittaldas found themselves in legal trouble as they were arrested and taken into judicial custody for alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. The charges involve an alleged amount of $6.89 million. They will be held in custody until October 29th, 1993.

It was stated in the remand that Sardesai acquired a total of $6,889,100 from Vittaldas and that too without any special or general permission from the Reserve Bank of India.

Dilip Sardesai Memorial Lecture

In the memories of the Late Dilip Sardesai every year a lecture is organized where every year one cricketer is selected mostly retired gives a speech about his/her experience, either his memories of Late Dilip Sardesai, lessons from his story and what they feel is the current state of cricket.

This year recently retired Indian Women’s cricketer Jhulan Goswami got the honor to deliver the speech.

Dilip Sardesai Google Doodle

On the 78th birth anniversary of Dilip Saedesai Google dedicated an animated doodle depicting what the West Indian fan nicknamed ‘Sardee-man’ for showing his magic on the crease and sending the ball flying.

FAQs

Who is Dilip Sardesai’s Son?

Rajdeep Sardesai, he is a Well known TV news anchor and Journalist.

What is the name of Dilip Sardesai’s daughter?

Shonali Sardesaid, She works in the world bank, Washington DC as a senior social scientist.

Who won the Dilip Sardesai award for 2019?

Poonam Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja.

What is the name of Dilip Sardesai’s wife?

Nandini Sardesai.

When did Dilip Sardesai Died?

Dilip Sardesai Died on 2 July 2007 due to multiple organ failure.