#4 India's middle-order star - Dilip Vengsarkar took on the West Indies bowlers
Dilip Vengsarkar was a consummate middle-order batsman who played spin and pace equally well. Batting at a crucial No.3 position, Vengsarkar was a pillar of Indian batting lineup. With close to 7000 runs in Test cricket and 17 centuries against his name, Vengsarkar scored runs at a metronomic consistency.
Scoring six centuries against the strong West Indies side is a testimony to the fact that Vengsarkar was a maestro at batting.
His best knock came in the West Indies tour of India, 1983. The 2nd Test match of the 6-Test series was being played at Delhi. India batting first lost Gaekwad pretty early and then it was up to the two greats - Gavaskar and Vengsarkar to play a steady game and see off the new ball. Once the ball lost its shine both the batsmen went after the bowling. Vengsarkar enthralled the crowd by hitting some delightful shots and scoring a mammoth 159. A free-flowing partnership of 178 between Gavaskar and Vengsarkar ensured that India reaches a respectable total of 464.
Vengsarkar scored a half-century in the second innings as well and held the innings together, saving the game for India.
Follow IPL Auction 2025 Live Updates, News & Biddings at Sportskeeda. Get the fastest updates on Mega-Auction and cricket news