'Cricket Has Kept Me Healthy', Says Former Team India Manager Chandu Borde Ahead Of His 91st Birthday

Take a stroll around the iconic Poona Club walking track on any given evening, and you’re likely to spot a familiar figure — none other than former Indian cricketer Chandrakant Gulabrao ‘Chandu’ Borde.

Born on July 21, 1934, Borde turns 91, joining an elite group of Indian Test cricketers who’ve reached nonagenarian status. He is the fourth and second-youngest living Indian Test nonagenarian, alongside Chingleput Doraikannu Gopinath (95), Chandrakant Trimbak Patankar (94), the indomitable Nari Contractor (91, turned in March), and leg-spinner Vaman Viswanath Kumar, who celebrated his 90th birthday on June 22.

“This is the place where I first picked up a bat,” says Borde with a warm smile, taking a pause from his walk. “I still feel connected to it.” Most evenings, he can be found sitting with old friends at the club, reminiscing and — more often than not — discussing cricket. “Cricket has kept me healthy,” he says.

1960s:
The gritty Chandu Borde emerged as the highest scorer of this decade. Known for his tenacious batting and leg-spin bowling, Borde was a valuable all-round contributor for India.

He accumulated 2562 runs in 79 innings, averaging 37.13. With 4 centuries and 15 fifties,… pic.twitter.com/AvNx1uRH1A

— Arpit Rastogi | Cricket (@arptrastogi) July 9, 2025

Reflecting on the current Indian team, Borde is optimistic. “It’s a good, young side,” he says, “and there’s a strong bench of talent waiting in the wings. That’s the sign of a vibrant cricketing culture — and why cricket is so deeply worshipped in our country.”

With the fourth Test of the ongoing England series set to take place in Manchester, Borde believes the pitch there will offer plenty of runs. He’s confident India will level the series and even go on to win it.

Among the five living nonagenarian Indian Test cricketers, Borde stands out as the most accomplished. Making his debut in the 1958–59 season, he played 55 Tests over the next decade, amassing 3,061 runs with five centuries and claiming 52 wickets as a leg-spinner. He was also a brilliant fielder and an admired team player.

A Protestant Christain, Borde's all-round abilities made him a standout from an early age. Born and raised in Pune, he played most of his domestic cricket for Maharashtra and had a brief stint with Baroda. Chronic shoulder problems eventually forced him to give up bowling, and he focused on becoming one of India’s most reliable top-order batsmen after Polly Umrigar’s retirement in 1962. Known for his solid defence and fluent stroke play, he particularly excelled against fast bowling — a quality rare among Indian batters of that era.

Borde captained India just once — in the 1967–68 Adelaide Test against Australia, when Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was injured. Many felt Borde deserved the captaincy after Umrigar declined the role following the tragic injury to Nari Contractor in the West Indies. However, the selectors backed Pataudi, and Borde remained a loyal vice-captain until his retirement. After the loss to Bill Lawry’s Australian side in the first Test at  He was perhaps only one piat retirement who served as chairman of selectors  Twice in two different periods.

"My cricketing memories go back to the 1964–65 season when Bob Simpson's Australians toured India" - Chandu Borde

He was made manager of the Indian team again in 2007 England difficult tour (just after Greg Chappell episode) where India won the series Bombay in 1969, Borde bid farewell to international cricket.

He was also the manager of Indian tour of Pakistan 1989, wherein Sachin Tendulkar made his debut.

“My cricketing memories go back to the 1964–65 season when Bob Simpson's Australians toured India. India had lost the opening Test in Madras, and the second was at Brabourne Stadium in Bombay. Thanks to a relative, I managed to get a ticket to the Islam Gymkhana stand — and there began my lifelong bond with cricket, with Borde playing a starring role”.

Even at 91, Chandu Borde remains a symbol of grace, commitment, and enduring passion for the sport. And as long as the Poona Club track rings with the sound of footsteps and laughter, Borde’s legacy will walk alongside it.