Mumbai great Padmakar Shivalkar dies aged 84

Padmakar Shivalkar, one of India's finest left-arm spinners never to play for the national team, passed away in Mumbai at the age of 84

March 03, 2025

Padmakar Shivalkar, one of India's finest left-arm spinners never to play for the national team, passed away in Mumbai at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.

Shivalkar, often mentioned alongside Rajinder Goel, was unlucky to have played in the same era as Bishan Singh Bedi. Sunil Gavaskar once admitted, "One of my regrets as India captain was not being able to get Paddy and Goel Saab into the team."

A pillar of Mumbai cricket, Shivalkar played a key role in 10 Ranji Trophy triumphs between 1965-66 and 1976-77, taking 361 wickets in the tournament—still the most by any Mumbai bowler. His best spell, 8 for 16 in the 1972-73 final against Tamil Nadu, remains legendary.

In a first-class career spanning decades, he took 589 wickets at an average of 19.69. Even at 47, he made a comeback in the 1987-88 season.

A true master of spin, Shivalkar’s impact on Mumbai cricket will never be forgotten.

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Ajinkya Rahane to head Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2025.

Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have appointed Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for IPL 2025, with Venkatesh Iyer named vice-captain.

"It's an honour to lead KKR, one of the most successful IPL franchises," Rahane said. "We have a strong, balanced squad, and I'm excited to take on the challenge of defending our title."

Rahane’s selection came as a surprise, considering he initially went unsold at the IPL 2025 mega auction. KKR eventually secured him at his base price of INR 1.5 crore in the accelerated round on day two.

KKR CEO Venky Mysore expressed confidence in the leadership duo. "Rahane brings experience and maturity, while Venkatesh Iyer, a key player for us, has strong leadership qualities. We believe they will lead the team well as we aim to defend our title."

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"In cricket, as in life, you need to have a vision, set goals, and work tirelessly to achieve them."

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India vs Australia

As India and Australia prepare to face off in another ICC knockout match, memories of the heartbreaking 2023 World Cup final still linger. Australia had silenced a packed Narendra Modi Stadium that night, but this time, Rohit Sharma’s men have a chance to settle the score. While both teams have undergone changes, Australia faces a significant void with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc absent, weakening their new-ball attack. India, too, will be without Jasprit Bumrah, but their spin-heavy arsenal—led by Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and the unpredictable Varun Chakaravarthy—could be decisive on Dubai’s spin-friendly pitch. The batting unit looks formidable, with Shreyas Iyer in top form and key contributions from Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya adding depth. However, challenges remain, including Virat Kohli’s struggles against Adam Zampa and Rohit Sharma’s vulnerability to left-arm pace. Travis Head, who tormented India in Ahmedabad, remains a major threat, but Australia’s lack of an extra spinner could prove costly. With both teams eyeing a place in the final, Rohit expects a tough battle, saying, "Australia have been a great team over the years. We will expect some fightbacks and nervy moments in the middle."

On This Day

Pakistan’s status as an international cricketing venue was shattered on March 3, 2009, when masked gunmen ambushed the Sri Lankan team bus en route to Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on the third morning of the second Test. The attack left five cricketers, including captain Mahela Jayawardene and vice-captain Kumar Sangakkara, with minor injuries, while Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera, and Tharanga Paravitarana were also hurt. Tragically, six security personnel and two civilians lost their lives. It was the first targeted attack on sportsmen since the 1972 Munich Olympics, where Palestinian terrorists killed 11 Israeli athletes. The Test match was immediately abandoned, and the tour was called off, dealing a heavy blow to Pakistan, which had only recently resumed hosting Test cricket after a 14-month hiatus.

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  • India vs Australia, 1st Semi-Final

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