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Chandu Sarwate

Chandrasekhar Trimbak Sarwate, popularly known as Chandu Sarwate, was an Indian cricketer who played Test cricket for India in the 1940s and 1950s. An all-rounder, he was a right-handed batsman and a right-arm leg-break bowler, best remembered for an extraordinary tenth-wicket partnership during India's tour of England in 1946.

Full name Chandrasekhar Trimbak Sarwate
Born 1920
Died 2003
Nationality Indian
Role All-rounder
Batting Right-handed
Bowling Right-arm leg break
Format Test cricket, first-class cricket
Domestic teams Central Provinces and Berar, Holkar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra

Background

Sarwate was born in 1920 and emerged as a leading all-rounder in Indian domestic cricket during the 1940s, an era dominated by the Ranji Trophy contests between Bombay, Holkar, Baroda and other regional sides. He represented several teams over the course of a long first-class career, with Holkar being among the most prominent during the team's strong period in the Ranji Trophy.

Career

The 1946 partnership at The Oval

Sarwate is best known for a celebrated batting performance against Surrey at The Oval in 1946 during India's tour of England under the Nawab of Pataudi senior. Coming in at number ten, he combined with last man Shute Banerjee in a tenth-wicket stand in which both batsmen scored centuries — a rare feat in first-class cricket and the first time both numbers ten and eleven scored hundreds in the same innings of a first-class match. The partnership remains one of the most cited episodes from India's early tours abroad.

Test career

Sarwate played Test matches for India in the post-war years, including appearances against England and the West Indies. His Test contribution was modest in numbers but he was a regular member of squads during the period when Indian cricket was building its identity following the country's independence in 1947.

Domestic cricket

In domestic cricket, Sarwate enjoyed a long and productive career as an all-rounder, contributing both substantial runs and wickets in the Ranji Trophy. He continued to be associated with first-class cricket in the Central India region for many years.

Later life

After retiring from playing, Sarwate remained connected with Indian cricket administration and selection. He died in 2003.

Significance

Sarwate occupies a notable place in Indian cricket history as a representative of the pre-Independence and early post-Independence generation of Indian Test cricketers. The Oval partnership of 1946 ensured his lasting recognition in cricket statistical literature, while his domestic record placed him among the dependable all-rounders of his era.

References