Indian cricket fraternity mourns death of Dilip Doshi
New Delhi (PTI): A "heartbroken" Indian cricket fraternity came together in grief and reverence to pay tribute to former left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi, who died following a cardiac arrest in London.
Despite spending much of his early career in the shadow of the great Bishan Singh Bedi, Doshi carved a niche for himself with his unwavering resolve. He died at the age of 77 on Monday.
Leading the tributes for him was the great Sachin Tendulkar, who recalled his first meeting with the "warm-hearted" Doshi during a tour of the UK in 1990.
"I met Dilip bhai for the first time in the UK in 1990, and he bowled to me in the nets on that tour. He was really fond of me, and I reciprocated his feelings.
"A warm-hearted soul like Dilip bhai will be deeply missed. I will miss those cricketing conversations which we invariably had. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti," Tendulkar posted on X.
Former India all-rounder and head coach Ravi Shastri, who shared the field with Doshi, remembered him as "always immaculate, a gentleman to the core and a fine, fine bowler".
"Heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace. Really sad to hear about the passing of Dilip Doshi."
Doshi made his Test debut in 1979 after Bedi's retirement and played the last of his 33 games in 1983. In those matches, he took 114 wickets with six five-wicket hauls and was exceptional at home during the first three seasons, completing 100 scalps in just 28 Tests.
Former India cricketer and selector Sunil Joshi also a left-arm spinner like Doshi shared a poignant memory.
"Still can't believe it, we spoke just last Wednesday, and he sounded well. Heartbroken by the passing of Dilip Doshi Sir a legend on the field,a true gentleman off it, he meant a lot to me, and this loss is deeply personal. My heartfelt condolences to Nayan & the Doshi family," Joshi tweeted.
Former India captain Anil Kumble, who was among the first to pay his tribute to the late cricketer, too, expressed his sorrow: "Heartbreaking to hear about Dilip bhai's passing. May God give strength to his family and friends to bear this loss. Nayan, thinking of you buddy."
Former Indian keeper-batter Parthiv Patel wrote, "I'm heartbroken and still in shock about Dilip uncle...he was truly special. Nayan (Doshi's son), thinking of you all with love and strength."
Manoj Tiwary echoed the collective sense of loss. "It's a shock! India's legendary cricketer Dilip Doshi passed away at the age of 77 due to a cardiac arrest in London. May God give his family and close ones the strength to deal with this. May his soul rest in peace."
Former cricketers Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh also paid their respects.
"Saddened to hear about the passing of Dilip Doshi sir, a distinguished left-arm spinner who served Indian cricket with grace and grit. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace," said Ojha.
"RIP Dilip Doshi sir Condolences to family," Harbhajan wrote.
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Alliance partners welcome DMDK into DMK fold, BJP slams Premalatha Vijayakanth's move
Chennai (PTI): Parties in the DMK-led SPA on Thursday welcomed DMDK joining the alliance, while the BJP slammed the move, stating that the "soul of Vijayakanth will not forgive" the party for forging ties with the DMK.
Earlier in the day, the late actor Vijayakanth, founded DMDK, joined the Secular Progressive Alliance here for the upcoming Tamil Nadu assembly polls.
Tamil Nadu Congress said DMDK forming an alliance with the DMK is a "significant development" in the state politics.
TNCC president K Selvaperunthagai said, "In view of the forthcoming assembly election, DMDK joining the DMK is a significant development in Tamil Nadu politics."
"I welcome the decision taken by (DMDK General Secretary) Premalatha Vijayakanth and DMDK executives for taking a great decision. I congratulate. This alliance was formed with the aim of prioritizing social justice, secularism, democratic values that will have the power to fulfill the people's expectations," he wrote in a social media post.
"Formed for the welfare, progress and prosperous future of the state, this alliance will surely achieve victory," he said.
Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko, another ally of the SPA, hailed the development as 'sweet news'.
"We happily welcome them. The SPA gets strengthened by this alliance. Victory for the DMK-led alliance has been confirmed with this", he told reporters in Madurai.
However, the Tamil Nadu BJP unit reacted sharply and criticised the move as a 'betrayal' of the DMDK founder's legacy.
The movement created by the Captain joining the anti-people DMK, will "never be forgiven by the Captain's Soul", it said on its social media handle. The DMDK founder is fondly addressed as 'Captain.'
BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan said, "As far as I am concerned, they (DMDK) have boarded a sinking ship. Invoking the legacy of Captain, they have forced their cadres to act as captains of a vessel that is already going down."
Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) chief G K Vasan, who is part of NDA in Tamil Nadu, said the alliance between the DMDK and the DMK was against the expectations of the people.
"As long as Captain was alive, he never formed an alliance with the DMK. People will not accept this alliance," he told reporters in Tiruchirappalli.
Actor-Politician Vijay led-Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) said not even one per cent of the people will accept this DMDK-DMK alliance.
"Captain Vijayakanth faced a lot of insults from the DMK and toiled hard to develop his party. When all these alliance partners converge on a stage, not even 1 per cent of the people will believe in them. They will not accept this alliance at any cost," TVK joint general secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar told reporters in Chennai.
Meanwhile, Premalatha, after announcing her alliance with the DMK, offered prayers at the memorial of Captain in Chennai and later took part in Annadanam (free meal) organised at the DMDK headquarters.
"After the announcement of our alliance, on this special day, I performed a special pooja at the Captain's Temple and offered Annadanam. It is not just a political decision but my commitment to safeguard the people's belief," she said.
"With the blessings of Captain and people's support, we will definitely win", she wrote and shared some images on her social media handle.
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