Shivalkar - Born at the wrong time
Padmakar Shivalkar was a talented left-arm slow bowler who played first-class cricket for Mumbai but never found a way to the national side
Devashish Fuloria
25-Feb-2013
Padmakar Shivalkar was a talented left-arm slow bowler who played first-class cricket for Mumbai but never found a way to the national side. Unfortunately for him, he played his cricket at the same time when Bishen Singh Bedi was India's lead spinner and selectors never considered playing both. Makarand Waingankar in The Times of India looks back at Shivalkar's accidental entry into the world of cricket.
Fate was cruel to this man. It took him to a certain distance, but not to the next level. Paddy was stuck in transition. Life always kept him in the queue and at the end of it, brutally conveyed that his wait had been useless. He never got to play for India, despite claiming 589 first-class wickets at an average of 19.69. Of what use was his talent? It didn't fetch him contentment. It didn't get him happiness.
Devashish Fuloria is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo