Pivotal figure in Indian cricket's renaissance, Eknath Solkar was a fielding star who redefined close-in catching

By Harsh Thakor*

Born on March 18, 1948, Eknath Dhondu Solkar, arguably the greatest forward short-leg fielder in cricket history, sadly passed away on June 26, 2005, at the age of 57, due to a heart attack. He had been battling diabetes and other ailments for some time. His name remains an enduring star in the hearts of cricket fans.

Solkar was a pivotal figure in Indian cricket's renaissance, playing a crucial role in the historic series victories in the West Indies and England in 1971.

Playing 27 Tests for India, primarily for his exceptional fielding, he took 53 catches. Solkar epitomized athleticism at its highest level. Watching him take a catch was akin to witnessing an acrobat or magician, pushing the boundaries of fielding into legendary realms. He brought a new spirit to the field, redefining the art of close-in catching.

Solkar specialized in forward short-leg, fielding without protective gear in an era when it was standard practice. Bishan Singh Bedi, who benefited greatly from Solkar's lightning reflexes and anticipation, remarked upon his death, "We would not have been the same bowlers without him."

He was also a reliable lower-order batsman, scoring over 1000 Test runs at an average of just over 25, and took 18 wickets with his slow-medium pace and chinaman deliveries.

In a 16-year first-class career, he scored 6,851 runs at 29.27, including eight centuries, took 276 wickets at 30.01, and claimed 190 catches. In his 27 Tests, he scored 1,068 runs at 25.42 and took 18 wickets at 59.44.

A gentle and versatile cricketer, he was sometimes called "a poor man's Sobers" due to his all-round abilities, capable of batting, bowling both fast and slow, and taking spectacular catches.

Solkar is also remembered for dismissing Geoff Boycott four times in 1971, famously sledging him with phrases like, "I'll get you, bloody." Boycott was so troubled by Solkar's bowling that he withdrew from the Test series. He also famously told Garry Sobers, "You play your game and I'll play mine," when Sobers attempted to intimidate him.

His fielding was instrumental in supporting India's spin quartet of Bedi, Chandrasekhar, Prasanna, and Venkataraghavan in the 1970s. Tall, athletic, and agile, Solkar mastered the dangerous forward short-leg position with his supple arms, quick reflexes, sharp eyesight, keen anticipation, and unwavering concentration – all without protective gear. His two-handed, diving catches were unique among close-in fielders.

When asked about his success, Solkar, affectionately known as "Ekky," simply said, "I only watch the ball." In a match against Australia in Calcutta in 1969-70, he took a remarkable catch off Bill Lawry, prompting Lawry to gift him his bat.

Humble Beginnings

Solkar's rise to Test cricket was remarkable, given his humble origins. The son of the groundsman at the PJ Hindu Gymkhana in Mumbai, he began by changing scoreboards. He shared a small, one-room quarter with his parents and five siblings. He started his career as a schoolboy cricketer, touring Sri Lanka in 1964 and later captaining the Indian schoolboys, including Sunil Gavaskar and Mohinder Amarnath, against London Schools in 1965-66. He developed a reputation as a world-class fielder, left-arm spinner, and solid batsman. He spent two seasons with the Sussex second XI, qualifying for the first team, but only played one match for the county.

He learned his cricket at the Gymkhana ground and joined the Bombay team in 1965. He scored a duck in his first innings but batted resiliently in the second, helping India draw the Test. His dedication to Bombay was evident in the 1968 Ranji Trophy final against Bengal, where he helped secure a crucial first-innings lead, despite his father's death the previous evening.

Test Career

He made his Test debut against New Zealand in Hyderabad in 1969-70, volunteering for the challenging short-leg position. He had a good series against Australia at home.

His consistent batting and spectacular catches in the West Indies in 1971 elevated him to stardom. In his first overseas Test in Kingston, he scored a gritty 61 in a 137-run partnership with Dilip Sardesai. He contributed to another crucial partnership in the fourth Test in Bridgetown, helping India save the match and win the series.

His experience in English conditions led to him opening the bowling with Abid Ali in the 1971 series. At Lord's, he scored 67 in a 92-run partnership with Gundappa Viswanath, giving India a first-innings lead. At The Oval, his catches of Alan Knott and Keith Fletcher were vital in India's victory. His catch of Knott, diving full-length to take the ball inches from the ground, was considered his finest. He also took 3 for 28 in the first innings and scored 44.

Despite limited success with bat and ball in the 1972-73 home series against England, he took 12 catches. His dismissal of Boycott in three consecutive innings was a highlight of the 1974 tour of England.

His only Test century, a painstaking 102 against the West Indies in Mumbai in 1974-75, marked his final significant contribution to Test cricket.

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*Freelance journalist

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