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SPORTS AUGUST 16, 2024 | The Indian Eye 44

ANSHUMAN GAEKWAD

Cricket fraternity recalls the guts

and style of iconic opening batsman

Gaekwad, who passed away at 71, also represented India in 40 Tests and 15 ODIs from 1975 to
1987. Gaekwad made his Test debut against the West Indies in December 1974. He scored 1,985

runs in Tests, with his highest score of 201 coming against arch-rival Pakistan

OUR BUREAU

Vadodra
ormer India cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad
passed away last Wednesday at the age of 71.
FThe Board of Control for Cricket in India
(BCCI) Jay Shah took to X and offered condolenc-
es on the demise of Gaekwad after losing a long
battle with cancer.
“My deepest condolences to the family and
friends of Mr Anshuman Gaekwad. Heartbreak-
ing for the entire cricket fraternity. May his soul
rest in peace,” Shah wrote on X.
BCCI gave Rs 1 crore, and the 1983 World
Cup-winning team also helped in the treatment of
Gaekwad. “The board stands by Gaekwad’s fami-
ly in this hour of crisis and will do whatever is es-
sential for his quick recovery. The Indian Cricket
Board will continue to monitor Gaekwad’s prog-
ress and is confident that he will come out of this
phase strongly,” BCCI previously said in the state-
ment.
Gaekwad served as the coach of India after
being appointed in October 1997. It was under
his reign that India’s iconic spinner, Anil Kumble,
claimed all ten wickets in an innings against Paki-
stan in 1999.
Gaekwad also represented India in 40 Tests
and 15 ODIs from 1975 to 1987. Gaekwad made
his Test debut against the West Indies in December
1974. He scored 1,985 runs in Tests, with his high- Anshuman Gaekwad poses for a picture during the launch of his book ‘Guts Amidst Bloodbath’,
est score of 201 coming against arch-rival Pakistan.
In a career that spanned over 22 years, Gaekwad with Sunil Gavaskar in Mumbai in July 2023 (ANI)
played 205 first-class matches.
Cricket icons Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev and Former India captain Gavaskar said that he The Board of Control for Cricket in India
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sec- was hopeful that Gaekwad would recover from (BCCI) president Roger Binny condoled the de-
retary Jay Shah attended a prayer meet, organised his illness. “He was my friend as well as (batting) mise of former India cricketer Anshuman Gae-
in the memory of former cricketer Anshuman opening partner. A day before any match, we used kwad, who passed away at the age of 71. In a
Gaekwad on Thursday. to sit and discuss how to tackle fast bowlers. That’s statement shared by BCCI, Roger Binny said that
Gaekwad passed away on August 1 after bat- how we became friends from being partners. My Anshuman Gaekwad’s ‘dedication, resilience, and
tling for a long time with blood cancer. He was in connection with him will always remain intact de- love’ for cricket were unparalleled.
London until last month and passed away in Baro- spite his demise. I knew he was not well. But I was “Anshuman Gaekwad’s passing is a great loss
da at the age of 71. hopeful he would recover,” Gavaskar told report- for Indian cricket. His dedication, resilience, and
Gaekwad also served as the coach of India ers after the prayer meet. love for the game He was not just a cricketer but
twice after first being appointed in October 1997. Rohit Sharma-led Team India took to the field a mentor and a friend to many. The cricketing
His second stint began in 2000. It was under his against Sri Lanka in the first ODI match of the se- community will miss him dearly, and his contribu-
reign that India’s iconic spinner, Anil Kumble, ries wearing black armbands in memory of former tions will always be remembered. My thoughts and
claimed all ten wickets in an innings against Paki- India cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad who passed prayers are with his family and loved ones as they
stan in 1999. away on August 1. cope with this loss,” Roger Binny said.

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