Tue Mar 04 09:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Team India Pays Tribute to Legendary Cricketer with Black Armbands
**Bengaluru, March 4, 2025** – The Indian cricket team wore black armbands during their Champions Trophy semi-final match against Australia today, as a mark of respect for the late domestic cricket legend, Padmakar Shivalkar. Shivalkar, 84, passed away in Mumbai on Monday after a prolonged illness.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that the armbands were a tribute to Shivalkar, a highly regarded spinner who played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy victories. Despite never playing for India internationally, Shivalkar’s career spanned decades, showcasing exceptional skill and control. He took 589 wickets in 124 first-class matches, with a remarkable average of 19.69. His outstanding performance in the 1972-73 Ranji Trophy final, where he took 13 wickets, remains a legendary feat.
Shivalkar’s contributions to Indian cricket were recognized in 2017 with the BCCI’s Colonel C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award. His consistent performance and control over the ball, even on challenging pitches, cemented his status as a legendary domestic spinner. He continued playing cricket well into his 40s. The team’s gesture today reflects the profound impact he had on the sport.
**(Note: Other items mentioned in the original text – recliner chair in Karnataka assembly, gemstones for luck, Women’s Day history, Araku coffee export – are unrelated to the main sporting news and are therefore omitted from this news article.)**
First Piper 