World of Cricket Contest Series | Contest - 7 :: Bring back the past memories

In the early part of his career Patil was as much a medium pacer who bowled off the wrong foot, as he was a batsman. Following three successful years for the Bombay university in the
Rohinton Baria Trophy, he made the Bombay
Ranji team in 1975–76. After being on and off the team for three seasons, he played his first major innings against Delhi in the 1979 semifinal. Going in at No.6 after Bombay lost the first four wickets for 72, Patil hit 145 in 276 minutes with 18 fours and a six, none of his partners made more than 25. [4] Patil played for Edmonton in the Middlesex league in 1979 and 1980, and for Somerset 'B' in the latter year.
The only cricketer to have arrived late for an international match is the former Indian middle order batsman Sandeep Patil.

The incident happened during the 3rd test match at Nagpur between India and Pakistan in 1983. The 3 test series between the arch rivals was headed for nowhere, as the first 2 tests had seen drab draws – thanks to some defensive cricket from both teams and regular bouts of rain.
On the morning of the match, Mohinder Amarnath declared himself unfit despite severe medication.
It was then that the selectors decided that Sandeep Patil, who was not even in the original squad, will be a part of the playing XI.

But there was a small problem with this decision - Sandeep was in a different city and there was no way he could make it on time.
KR Wadhwaney writes in Indian Cricket Controversies: “In arrived Nagpur’s most influential politician. He revealed that after a lot of effort, he had been able to convince the Maharashtra Government that Sandeep Patil might be provided state plane to arrive in Nagpur for the match.”
However, Patil had no idea of the goings-on and couldn’t be contacted. It was a complete chaotic situation.
His family sent his kit to the airport and the aircraft waited for Sandeep to arrive, taking off only in the late afternoon.
Luckily for India, rain delayed play till 50 minutes before tea. When the toss was done, Sandeep was still in the air.
The Indian captain, Kapil Dev won the toss and chose to bat. Had India fielded, it was perfectly within Pakistan’s rights to deny India the substitute.

India ended the first day at 92 for 2 with Patil reaching the ground just before stumps.