Dilip Rasiklal Doshi is a former Indian cricketer who represented the national team as a left-arm orthodox spin bowler. He had a long and prolific career in first-class cricket, particularly in the Ranji Trophy and English county cricket, before making his Test debut at an unusually advanced age. Doshi is regarded as one of the most accurate left-arm spinners of his era, succeeding Bishan Singh Bedi in the Indian Test side.
| Full name | Dilip Rasiklal Doshi |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 December 1947, Rajkot, Saurashtra (present-day Gujarat) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Role | Slow left-arm orthodox bowler |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Test debut | 1979, vs Australia |
| Domestic teams | Saurashtra, Bengal |
| County cricket | Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire |
Born in Rajkot in 1947, Doshi developed his cricket in the Saurashtra region before moving east to play for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, where he became the mainstay of the side's spin attack for many seasons. His domestic career stretched across the 1960s, 1970s and into the 1980s, accumulating a substantial tally of first-class wickets.
Doshi played extensively for Saurashtra and later for Bengal. In English county cricket, he turned out for Nottinghamshire and subsequently for Warwickshire, where his consistent control and ability to bowl long spells made him a valuable overseas professional. His county stints helped sharpen the flight, drift and tight line that became his hallmark.
Doshi made his Test debut for India against Australia in 1979 at the age of 31, replacing the long-serving Bishan Singh Bedi as the principal left-arm spinner in the Test side. He took six wickets on debut and quickly established himself as a frontline bowler, often operating in tandem with off-spinner Shivlal Yadav and leg-spinner Bhagwath Chandrasekhar's successors.
Over the course of his Test career, Doshi played in series against Australia, Pakistan, England, the West Indies, Sri Lanka and New Zealand. He bowled with notable accuracy and stamina, frequently sending down lengthy spells in subcontinental conditions. He was also part of India's limited-overs side during the early 1980s.
Doshi was admired for his classical, flighted left-arm orthodox spin rather than for sharp turn. He relied on subtle variations of pace, loop and trajectory, supported by an unwavering line. Coming into Test cricket relatively late, he nonetheless filled the difficult role of succeeding one of India's greatest spinners and contributed during a transitional phase in Indian cricket between the famed spin quartet of the 1970s and the pace-led attacks that followed.
After retiring, Doshi became known in business circles as well, being associated with luxury and lifestyle ventures, and contributed occasionally to cricket commentary and writing.