Eknath Solkar-An Indian Legend!

Eknath Solkar-A True Indian legend!

He was known as the

‘poor man’s Garry Sobers’ because he could bat anywhere, and bowl both medium-pace and spin’

That was the cricket World’s view of India’s Eknath Solkar. Though as anyone would take being compared with the great West Indian Sobers as the highest of compliments.In fact you can actually view the man known as ‘Ekky’ above Sobers in one crucial aspect of the game.

That in the aspect of fielding and it says a great deal about Solkar for Sobers was one of the best in close fielders the game has seen. Though not a patch on Solkar,who as a short leg fielder was about as great as you got.To fielding what Bradman was to batting and with the same effect. His 53 catches off just 27 Tests is testimony to this Leading to comments like this from team mates like Bishen Bedi:

“We would never have been as effective without Solkar at short leg”

This for all to see in India’s first ever win against the West Indies in Port of Spain where Ekky was the virtual venus fly trap at short leg gobbling up 6 catches to be key in the win for his career this was the norm with him being the catalyst for many Indian victories in a time when they were near the top of Test cricket.

To put Solkar in context he was at the forefront of Indian’s subconscious in regards to cricket as much as a lethal Prasana arm ball or a Vishwanath rear guard heroic batting effort. If he dropped a catch the shock and disbelief in India and indeed the World of cricket would be akin to Sunny Gavaskar being dismissed due to defensive inadequacies

His reputation given greater respect by the fact that he fielded in a position where his life was on the line with not a bit of protection. For it was the days before helmuts and other space age guards. So when Chandra on occasion turned from deadly to erratic Ekky’s very life was at risk In a sense he evolved Asian cricket fans away from the adulation and hero worship for individualistic deeds to one that was as Team as Team can be.

That was Solkar though the epitome of Team and in essence his fielding was just the tip of the iceberg in regards to his meaning to the Indian Team. Though not on the tip of fans tongue as a Tendulkar or Kapil Dev would be. When pressed you get tributes of respect like this:

I would say he was the most underrated player in the Indian team. A player with the never say die spirit and performed for the team and his captain in adverse conditions with both bat and ball.(PR)

You saw this again in this iconic Caribbean tour for India where they were holding a slender 1 nil series lead after 3 Tests.Only for the hosts to hit back hard in the 4th test fuelled by a Sobers epic 178 to rack up 501.Things being dire when India were reduced to a rabble at 6/70.Though Solkar walking in at 7 typically bleed Indian blue playing a 4 hour defiant effort to aide in Sardesai to get India to respectability through a 186 run partnership.That was key in India getting a draw.

Though that was ‘Ekky’ as everyone knew that when India was in need he was always there doing anything for them

Leaving a legacy of inspiration in regards to the true meaning of Team that all should embrace…..