Google celebrates Test cricketer Dilip Sardesai's 78th birthday with a doodle

Dilip Narayan Sardesai was a key player for Indian batting lineup in an era when the team was becoming aggressive and competitive on the international stage. Today Google Doodle is celebrating his 78th birth anniversary.

Dilip was a Test cricketer who helped India secure two significant overseas victories. He also played a vital role in India's first series victory against West Indies in 1971. 

And on England tour, he played two crucial innings of 54 and 40 in adversity in India's maiden Test triumph at the Oval.

The Goa-born cricketer was wristy and a proficient player against spinners which earned him the tag of being India's best batsman against the spin attack. 

In 1965 against New Zealand, Dilip batted for more than nine hours to score an unbeaten double century. Another former cricketer Chandu Borde, who was at the supporting end, also scored a century as India set up the 'Black Caps' an improbable target of 255 on the final day. 

He was also a part of Bombay Ranji Trophy during the golden era. He scored 3,599 runs at 54.53. He played a total of 61 matches for Bombay Ranji Trophy and team did not lose even a single match.

The legendary cricketer was diagnosed with a chest infection and was admitted to Bombay Hospital on June 23. After days of hospitalisation,  Dilip took his last breath at 9:15 pm on July 2, 2007. 

In his honour, the Dilip Sardesai Memorial Lecture is held every year in Mumbai. The Dilip Sardesai Award is presented by the Goa Government every year to the leading sportsperson in the state. A Dilip Sardesai Award is also presented by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to the best player of any Test series between the two countries.