Chandu Sarwate dies at 83

Chandu Sarwate, a former Indian Test player and national selector, has died in Indore following a protracted illness. Sarwate, 83, represented India in nine Tests, scoring 208 runs and taking three wickets.

His international record was modest, but Sarwate's first-class record was superb: over a career spanning 32 years and 171 matches - most of them for Holkar - he took 494 wickets with his mix of offspin and legspin bowling at an average of 23, while scoring 7430 runs at a shade under 33.

Sarwate's best moments came when the Indians toured England in 1946. Playing a match against Surrey at The Oval, Sarwate, who normally batted in the middle order, came in at No. 10 and added 249 for the last wicket with Shute Banerjee, the No. 11. Both batsmen hit centuries - the only instance in first-class cricket when the No. 10 and No. 11 scored hundreds - as India recovered from 205 for 9 to 454. Not satisfied with that effort, Sarwate went on to take 5 for 54 in Surrey's second innings as the Indians wrapped up a nine-wicket win.

A fingerprint expert by profession, Sarwate was also a national selector for three seasons, from 1980-81 to 1982-83.