Patankar played one Test for India against New Zealand in 1955. “Yes, someone gave me the sad news of Gopinath’s demise today. A friend told me that I am now the oldest living Indian Test cricketer,” Patankar told TOI. Asked how he maintained himself in the 90s, Patankar said, “It’s God’s grace. I don’t make any extra efforts.” After his retirement, Patankar served as the Secretary of the Cricket Club of India for many years. A wicketkeeper and lower-order batsman in his time, Patankar played one Test, the New Year Test, against New Zealand at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata in December 1955. He scored 13 and 1 unbeaten runs in that match. He took three catches and also made one stumping in the first innings. However, he missed a tough skier and was dropped from the playing eleven for the fifth Test played at the Madras Corporation Stadium.Patankar, a resident of Parel, was born in Pen in Raigarh district of Maharashtra. He attended Bombay University and obtained an M.Sc. He played first-class cricket for Bombay from 1950 to 1966, then moved to Maharashtra in his last season (1966–67). For the fourth game of Harry Cave’s five-match Test series against New Zealand in 1955–56, Patankar replaced his Bombay wicket-keeping colleague Naren Tamhane, who was injured, but lost his place when Tamhane replaced him for the final game of the series. Patankar thus joins the list of 51 cricketers, including six wicketkeepers, who have played just one Test for India.People close to Patankar describe him as a “good person”. In October 2022, Patankar decided to go to the Wankhede Stadium complex and vote in the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) elections. He also participated in the 50th anniversary celebrations of Wankhede Stadium in January 2025.