Dilip Sardesai is no more.

All I have seen of his batting is from highlights packages of the historic 1971 India-England series. But his greatest contribution to Indian cricket was certainly in the previous series the same year. His 642 runs in 5 tests played a crucial role in India clinching the series against the West Indies.

The series though is remembered more for Sunil Gavaskar's phenomenal debut - 774 runs in 4 tests. But the backbone of the batting was clearly Sardesai in the middle order, who was always there to bail India out of trouble. Remember reading a Sportstar article long back labelling him the forgotten hero of the 1971 series.

First test - Batting first, India was five down for 75 only for a crucial partnership between Sardesai and Solkar. Sardesai's contribution being a monumental 212, which was more than half of the Indian score of 387.

The West Indian innings folded up for 217. And Indian captain Ajit Wadekar stunned the Caribbeans, walking up to skipper Gary Sobers and asking him to follow on. A shocked Sobers had forgotten that the match had been reduced to four days, since no play happended on day one. In a four-day match 150 runs behind meant a follow-on and not 200. India dominating abroad against a big side for the first time.

The West Indies did save the test but the second test (Sunil Gavaskar's debut) saw India emerging triumphant. Gavaskar did contribute 65 but the man who shored up India's innings yet again was Sardesai with 112 out of 352. India had a 138 run first innings lead, setting the stage for victory.

Fourth test - West Indies declares at a mammoth 501 for five. India is staring down the barrel at 70 for 6. Enter Sardesai with a 150 and another crucial partnership with Solkar. India was out of the woods.

Don't think there's any video of this series. What a pity!

Two double centuries and over 2000 runs in tests. Maybe he could have done more but Dilip Sardesai was never a regular fixture in the side during his 11 year career. Unlucky not to be remembered but undoubtedly an achiever.