Dattajirao Gaekwad Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Family, Biography, and More
Dattajirao Gaekwad, also known as Datta Gaekwad, was a former Indian cricketer who played 11 Tests for India between 1952 and 1961. He was the oldest living Test cricketer in India until he passed away on February 13, 2024, at the age of 95. He was also the first cricketer from the royal Gaekwad family of Baroda, and the father of another Test cricketer, Anshuman Gaekwad. In this article, we will take a look at his life, career, achievements, and legacy.
Early Life and Education
Dattajirao Gaekwad was born on October 27, 1928, in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. His full name was Dattajirao Krishnarao Gaekwad, and his father was Krishnarao Gaekwad, a member of the royal family of Baroda. He had a passion for cricket since childhood and learned the game from C. S. Nayudu, the brother of the legendary C. K. Nayudu.
He did his schooling at Maharani Chimnabai High School in Vadodara, where he excelled in academics and sports. He later played for Bombay University and Maharaja Sayaji University, where he captained the cricket team.
Dattajirao Gaekwad Wiki/Bio
| Name | Dattajirao Krishnarao Gaekwad |
| AKA | Datta Gaekwad |
| Born | 27 October 1928, Vadodara |
| Died | 13 February 2024 (age 95 years), Baroda |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm medium, legbreak |
| Role | Batsman Captain |
| International career | 11 Tests for India (1952-1961) |
| Domestic career | 55 matches for Baroda (1948-1961) |
| Education | Maharani Chimnabai High School, Vadodara |
| Wife | Name not known |
| Children | Anshuman Gaekwad (son) 3 daughters |
| Grandchildren | Shatrunjay Gaekwad (grandson) Shreya (granddaughter) |
| Parents | Father: Krishnarao Gaekwad Mother: Name Not Known |
| Siblings | Prabhakar Gaekwad (brother) Shanta (sister) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Caste | Maratha |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Awards and honors | BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award (2012) |
| dattajiraogaekwad | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Domestic Career
Gaekwad made his debut in the Ranji Trophy, the premier domestic cricket tournament in India, for Baroda in 1948. He played for Baroda till 1961, scoring 3139 runs in 55 matches, with an average of 47.56. He also scored 14 centuries, including a double century. He was one of the most prolific batsmen for Baroda, along with other stars like Vijay Hazare, Gul Mohammad, Chandu Borde, and Sadu Shinde.
He led Baroda to its first Ranji Trophy title in nine years in 1957-58, scoring a century in the final against Services. He also scored 218 against the defending champions Bombay in the same season. He was a versatile cricketer who could bowl right-arm medium pace and leg-spin as well. He took 35 wickets in his Ranji career, with a best of 5 for 29.
International Career
Gaekwad made his Test debut for India against England at Leeds in 1952, opening the batting with Pankaj Roy. He scored 33 and 25 in his first match, but could not cement his place in the team as an opener. He played only four more Tests in the next six years, mostly in the middle order, scoring 139 runs in eight innings. His highest score was 52 against West Indies at Delhi in 1958-59.
He was appointed as the captain of the Indian team for the tour of England in 1959, replacing Ghulam Ahmed. He became the first cricketer from Baroda to lead India in Tests. However, the tour was a disaster for India, as they lost all five Tests by huge margins. Gaekwad himself struggled with the bat, scoring only 119 runs in nine innings, with a highest of 33.
He also faced criticism for his defensive tactics and poor team selection. He played his last Test against Pakistan at Chennai in 1961, scoring 1 and 0. He finished his Test career with 263 runs in 11 matches, with an average of 15.47. He also took one wicket and held six catches.
Coaching Career
After retiring from cricket, Gaekwad became a coach and a selector. He coached the Baroda team for many years, and also the Indian team briefly in 1997. He was also a member of the national selection committee in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
He was instrumental in grooming many young cricketers from Baroda, including his son Anshuman, who played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India. His grandson, Shatrunjay, also represented Baroda in the Ranji Trophy.
Death and Legacy
Gaekwad passed away on February 13, 2024, in Vadodara, due to age-related ailments. He was 95 years old, and the oldest living Test cricketer in India at the time of his death. He was cremated at the Kirti Mandir, the royal crematorium of the Gaekwad family, with full state honors. He was survived by his son, three daughters, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was mourned by the cricket fraternity and the people of Baroda, who remembered him as a gentleman, a leader, and a legend. He was one of the pioneers of cricket in Baroda and a proud representative of India on the international stage. He was also a humble and generous person, who contributed to the development of cricket and society.
He was honored with several awards and recognitions, including the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. He will always be remembered as one of the finest cricketers and captains that India and Baroda ever produced.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Dattajirao Gaekwad’s net worth and income sources are not publicly available, but it can be assumed that he had a decent amount of wealth and earnings from his cricket career and his royal lineage. He played 11 Tests for India and 55 first-class matches for Baroda, earning match fees and other incentives.
He also coached the Baroda and Indian teams and served as a national selector, which would have added to his income. He was a member of the Gaekwad family of Baroda, which was one of the wealthiest and most influential princely states in India before independence.
He also worked as the Deputy comptroller to the Baroda state, which was a prestigious and well-paid position. He was honored with several awards and recognitions, including the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, which came with a cash prize of Rs. 15 lakhs.
Wife, Kids, and Grandkids
Dattajirao Gaekwad married a woman whose name is not known to the public. They had four children: one son and three daughters. Their son, Anshuman Gaekwad, followed in his father’s footsteps and became a successful cricketer for India and Baroda. He played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India, scoring over 2000 runs.
He also coached the Indian team and served as a national selector. He married a woman named Shaila, and they had two children: a son named Shatrunjay and a daughter named Shreya. Shatrunjay also played cricket for Baroda, but could not make it to the national level. Shreya is a doctor by profession. The names and details of Dattajirao Gaekwad’s daughters and their families are not known to the public.
Physical Stats
| Height (approx.) | in meters– 1.78 m in feet & inches– 5’ 10” |
| Weight (approx.) | 70 kilograms |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Grey |
Parents and Siblings
Dattajirao Gaekwad was born to Krishnarao Gaekwad and his wife, whose name is not known. Krishnarao Gaekwad was a member of the royal family of Baroda and a cousin of Maharaja Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad, the last ruling monarch of Baroda. He was also a cricket enthusiast and patron, who supported and encouraged his son’s cricket career.
Gaekwad had a brother named Prabhakar Gaekwad, who also played cricket for Baroda. He also had a sister named Shanta, who married a cricketer named Madhavsinh Solanki, who later became the Chief Minister of Gujarat and the Minister of External Affairs of India.
Nationality, Caste, and Religion
Dattajirao Gaekwad was an Indian by nationality, and a Hindu by religion. He belonged to the Maratha caste, which is a dominant and influential caste in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
He was also a part of the Gaekwad dynasty, which ruled over Baroda from 1721 to 1949. The Gaekwads were known for their progressive and reformist policies, and their patronage of art, culture, education, and sports. They were also one of the few princely states that willingly joined the Indian Union after independence.
Controversies
Dattajirao Gaekwad was not involved in any major controversies in his cricket or personal life. He was a gentleman and a leader, who played the game with dignity and respect. He was also a humble and generous person, who contributed to the development of cricket and society.
However, he faced some criticism for his captaincy on the tour of England in 1959, where India lost all five Tests by huge margins. He was accused of being defensive and indecisive, and of making poor team selections. He also struggled with his batting form, and could not inspire his team to perform better. He was replaced by Pankaj Roy as the captain for the next series against Australia.
He played his last Test in 1961 and retired from cricket soon after. He never regretted his captaincy stint, and said that it was an honor and a privilege to lead India. He also said that he learned a lot from the experience and that it made him a better person. He remained a respected figure in the cricket fraternity and a legend in Baroda.
