India's oldest Test cricketer Deepak Shodhan passes away at the age of 87

Former Indian cricketer Deepak Shodhan passed away on 16 May at the age of 87. He was India’s oldest living Test cricketer. The Gujarat-born cricketer represented India in three Test matches. The tall left-handed batsman played domestic cricket for both Gujarat and Baroda. He made his international debut against arch-rivals Pakistan in 1952 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. In that match, Shodhan scored a memorable 110 in the first innings while batting at No.8. He also became the first Indian cricketer to score a hundred in the first innings of his debut Test.

The attractive left-handed batsman was immediately hailed as a bright star of Indian cricket and was picked for the West Indies tour. However, he was sidelined by injuries after the first Test at Port of Spain. Shodhan was brought back for the final Test at Kingston. He batted at No.10 in the second innings and made a significant contribution of an unbeaten 15.

The Kingston Test in 1954 was the last international match Shodhan ever played despite having an impressive batting average of 60.33. He did continue to play Ranji Trophy cricket until the late 60s. He scored 1235 Ranji runs at an average of 33.37 and also took 59 wickets with his left-arm medium pace bowling. He also has four first-class centuries to his name.

In his long first-class career that stretched from 1946-62, Shodhan played 43 matches and scored 1802 runs at an average of 31.61 and also picked up 73 wickets. Nevertheless, he represented India in only 3 Test matches.

Here is how Twitter users paid their respects to the great man.

Deepak Shodhan, 87, India's oldest living Test cricketer, passed away today morning.

— Harish Kotian (@harishkotian) May 16, 2016

Apologies. Deepak Shodhan was first Indian to score century in his first Test innings. Lala Amarnath made century in his first Test in 1933

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 16, 2016

Deepak Shodhan, who had been India's oldest living Test cricketer, has died aged 87

— Muneeb-Ul-Husnain (@IamMuneebLali) May 16, 2016