Anand Shukla (15 January 1941 – 2 February 2015) was an Indian cricketer who competed in the country’s first-class circuit between 1960 and 1978. Over an 18-year span he represented multiple regional sides in domestic competitions, contributing to the depth and continuity of Indian cricket during the Ranji Trophy era.
Career summary
Shukla’s active years stretched across the 1960s and 1970s, a period when domestic cricket formed the primary pathway to national selection. Though he did not become a long-term international fixture, his sustained presence in first-class matches is a marker of durable performance and adaptability to varying conditions and opponents.
What first-class cricket meant then
In India, first-class contests such as the Ranji Trophy were regional, multi-day matches that tested technique, temperament and stamina. Players like Shukla helped maintain competitive standards at the state level, providing experience and opposition that shaped younger teammates and rival prospects.
Notable aspects and contributions
- Longevity: an 18-year playing span in the domestic game.
- Regional service: represented more than one team during his career, a common practice for professionals seeking playing opportunities.
- Team role: as a regular first-class participant, he played a part in mentoring emerging players and sustaining the domestic structure.
Scorecards, match reports and archived records that document Shukla’s appearances are preserved in cricket archives and databases; further details can be consulted via dedicated records and historical summaries (player archive). Anand Shukla’s career illustrates the importance of the domestic game in India’s cricketing ecosystem and the many professionals whose steady work underpinned the sport’s growth in the mid-20th century.