Eknath Solkar

Who was Eknath Solkar?

Eknath Dhondu 'Ekky' Solkar was an Indian all-round cricketer who played 27 Tests and seven One Day Internationals for his country. He was born in Bombay, and died of heart attack in the same city at the age of 57.

Solkar could bat and bowl fast as well slow, which earned him the distinction "Poor man's Sobers". Solkar was renowned for his excellent close fielding, of which he once remarked, "I only watch the ball." His catches helped India to victory against England at The Oval in 1971, the team's first Test win in England. Eknath's team-mate at Sussex Tony Greig once said, "He was the best forward short leg I've ever seen."

His 53 catches in only 27 matches is the best ratio for catches per test-match among non-wicket-keepers with 20 or more Tests. He is responsible for one of cricket's most celebrated quotes, directed at Geoffrey Boycott: "I will out you bloody."