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Dileep Vengsarkar
source: Twitter/ X (ICC)

In the grand tapestry of cricket’s history, there are names etched in gold—iconic batsmen who dazzled, ferocious bowlers who terrorized, and all-rounders who seemed to bend the very rules of possibility.

Their exploits are celebrated in statistics, documentary reels, and family anecdotes passed down generations.


But then, there are the quieter tales. Names that rarely highlight Cricket reels yet linger in the margins of memory. They are the unsung architects of cricketing glory, content to let their craft speak louder than their presence. Their breath can be heard in the pages of yellowing sports journals and forgotten articles on cobwebbed shelves.


Dileep Vengsarkar is one such name—a colossus who carved a legacy in strokes as elegant as poetry and as decisive as thunder. He didn’t need to shout to be remembered; his bat hummed melodies with grace.


Born on April 6, 1956, in Rajapur, Maharashtra, Vengsarkar began his cricketing journey with a flair that quickly drew attention. Rising through the domestic circuit, he honed his technique on the seaming pitches in Mumbai, chiselling his natural ability with his fluent drives and unerring timing.


His performances at Lord’s—the hallowed “Mecca of Cricket”— cemented his status as a legend. Vengsarkar scored three Test centuries at the iconic venue, earning him the nickname “Lord of Lord’s” and an everlasting place in cricketing folklore.


But what set him apart? How was he special sandwiched between all-time greats like Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Vishwanath? Let’s talk.


Master of Overseas Conditions


Vengsarkar’s ability to score runs on challenging overseas pitches was remarkable. His three centuries at Lord’s—a venue where even the best falter—are a testament to his mastery. Few Indian batsmen of his era matched his consistency in England, making him a standout performer in foreign conditions.

The Unsung Middle-Order Rock


Sandwiched between the flamboyance of Viswanath and the resilience of Gavaskar, Vengsarkar provided a stabilizing presence in the middle order. His ability to anchor innings or accelerate when needed made him indispensable.


Quiet Consistency


While others basked in the limelight, Vengsarkar let his bat do the talking. He ended his career with 6,868 Test runs at an average of 42.13, an impressive record considering the quality of bowling attacks he faced. Be it the West Indian pace battery, Ian Both and Bob Willis of England and Richard Hadlee or Imran Khan.

At his peak in the mid-1980s, he was even ranked the No.1 batsman in the world which highlighted his consistency and dominance.


A Captain and Mentor


Though his stint as captain was brief and challenging, Vengsarkar’s leadership skills were evident in his support for younger players. His role in nurturing talents like Tendulkar cemented his legacy as a mentor.

So why is Dileep Vengsarkar largely unsung?


A Case Of Being Overshadowed by Luminaries


Sharing the stage with larger-than-life figures like Gavaskar and Kapil Dev meant that Vengsarkar’s achievements were often viewed in their shadow.

Probably something he couldn’t control as he was born at the wrong time( not his fault) and just lived among the greats.

Vengsarkar was even a part of the Prudential cup winning team of 1983 but he was injured in a group game against West Indies hit by a bouncer from Malcolm Marshall that ended his participation in the tournament.


Quiet Personality


Vengsarkar’s reserved nature meant he didn’t seek the spotlight, focusing instead on his craft. This understated demeanour contributed to his being underappreciated by fans and media alike.


Changing Times


The 1980s were a transitional phase for Indian cricket and Vengsarkar’s peak coincided with a time when limited-overs cricket was gaining prominence. Players like Kapil Dev captured public imagination with their flamboyance, leaving less room for appreciation of Vengsarkar’s classical style.


However, what set him apart as a cricketer was not only his batting achievements. The Colonel believed that cricket should always be played with integrity.

Throughout his playing days, he was known for his calm demeanour, fair conduct, and respect for opponents. Whether it was choosing not to contest dubious decisions or acknowledging an edge when the umpire missed it, Vengsarkar upheld the highest standards of sportsmanship.


A Ranji Trophy match in 1983 is on. Vengsarkar calmly walks to the crease representing Bombay playing a strong Karnataka team with the match evenly poised. He misses a ball that is collected by the wicket keeper. Fielders appeal but the umpire turns it down. Yet much to everyone’s surprise, Vengsarkar walks back to the pavilion, acknowledging that he had indeed nicked the ball.


Vengsarkar’s gentlemanly conduct extended to his interactions with players and umpires throughout his career. Despite facing some of the most intimidating bowlers of his era—like the fearsome West Indians or Australia’s Dennis Lillee—Vengsarkar rarely retaliated with aggression or sledging. Instead, he let his bat do the talking, often winning respect from his opponents.


Even during the 1987 Reliance World Cup, in a group-stage match between India and Zimbabwe held in Mumbai an Indian fielder claimed the catch, and the umpire was about to rule the batsman out. However, Vengsarkar, who was fielding in the slips, intervened and acknowledged that the ball had not carried cleanly to him.

His admission saved the Zimbabwean batsman, much to the surprise of his teammates and the crowd.

Whether it was choosing not to contest dubious decisions or acknowledging an edge when the umpire missed it, Vengsarkar upheld the highest standards of sportsmanship.

Another extremely important aspect that must be remembered and celebrated is Dileep Vengsarkar’s true prowess playing against the wizards of spin.

More importantly now because of India’s current spin playing woes. In 1986, Test Series Against England at home he Faced the spin duo John Emburey and Phil Edmonds in subcontinental conditions. Scoring a crucial 102* in the second Test at Delhi, showcasing his precise footwork and composure against turn.

That knock was instrumental in India dominating the series. Even against Abdul Qadir, the great leg-spinner, who was a constant threat during India’s contests with Pakistan in the 1980s the colonel was tested and succeeded. In the 1982–83 series, Vengsarkar’s measured batting countered Qadir’s variations.

His scores of 83 and 61 in that series highlighted his technique against spin. And even in domestic Cricket he frequently faced top spinners like Bishan Singh Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar often Dominating and scoring freely against them, including memorable centuries for Bombay.


The Colonel ranked no 1 among World batsmen from 1985 to 1987, a remarkable achievement during an era dominated by pace attacks and world-class bowlers. And Vengsarkar did not truly quit the game even after he retired as a player.

The colonel stepped up as the head of the BCCI in 2006, bringing wisdom and vision to Indian cricket’s corridors. His post-retirement tenure was marked by strategic growth, nurturing young talent like Sachin Tendulkar, and fostering international ties.


But how would Dileep Vengsarkar perform in today’s modern slam bang age of T20 cricket? Would he survive or would he perish? Cricket has changed. Totally. For purists the game has nosedived to abysmal depths of ruin.

But for the ring masters the game has become richer and more profitable for both players and Cricket
boards. Dileep Vengsarkar would perhaps need to fine tune his game to meet today’s standards. But some melodies are timeless.

They don’t lose the essence. They just evolve. Dileep Vengsarkar definitely would have fought the war. He wasn’t one to shy away from a fight. Dileep was never a super athlete like the demands of the modern game demand but then not many can deliver a timeless cover drive like the colonel too.


The “Colonel” label wasn’t just a tag—it symbolized Vengsarkar’s role as a stabilizer in the Indian batting line-up. Much like a military strategist, he was often the one to take charge of difficult situations, especially against strong opposition and in challenging conditions. Yet within the colonel’s quietude lay a symphony—of wrists weaving poetry through gaps, of drives kissed by timing so pure they seemed to float on air.

Against the fire of pace or the cunning of spin, he stood, unruffled, crafting elegance on pitches where others faltered.


On English soil, where clouds hung heavy, his brilliance shone brighter, earning him the name “Lord of Lord’s.” A master whose art spoke softly, for those willing to listen. In the theatre of cricket, he was the Colonel—steady as stone, elegant as a river’s flow. His bat painted tales of artistry, carving India’s glory in timeless arcs.

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