Cricket: Former India cricketer and head coach Anshuman Gaekwad dies aged 71

Former India cricketer Aunshuman Gaekwad died on Wednesday at the age of 71, following a prolonged battle with cancer.

During his 12-year career, Gaekwad played in 40 Tests and 15 ODIs amassing a total of 2254 runs, including two centuries.

Known for his solid technique and firm determination, he showed steely resolve while facing some of the finest spells of fast bowling during a time when protective gear was minimal.

As a batter at the highest level, Gaekwad is best remembered for his 81 at Jamaica in 1976, where he weathered the storm against a ferocious bowling attack on a tough pitch, and his gritty 201 against Pakistan at Jalandhar in 1983, where he batted for 671 minutes.

He also had a stellar domestic record, having featured in over 200 first-class games in which he scored over 12,000 runs, including 34 centuries and 47 fifties.

He had served as the Indian team’s head coach for two terms, from 1997 to 1999 and 2000. Under his guidance, India finished second in the 2000 Champions Trophy.

Notably, during his tenure, India famously triumphed in a tri-nation tournament in Sharjah in 1998 and Anil Kumble became the first Indian bowler to capture ten wickets in a Test match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi in 1999.

When Kapil Dev resigned, Gaekward was reappointed as India’s coach and remained for two months before John Wright was appointed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Gaekwad was a national selector in the 1990s and president of the Indian Cricketers’ Association.

He was also a member of the BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee and a commentator and TV expert.

In June 2018, Gaekwad received the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor conferred by the BCCI on a former player.

“Anshuman Gaekwad's passing is a great loss for Indian cricket. His dedication, resilience, and love for the game were unparalleled,” said Roger Binny, President of the BCCI, in a release on Thursday. “He was not just a cricketer but a mentor and a friend to many.”

“The cricketing community will miss him dearly, and his contributions will always be remembered. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones as they cope with this loss,” he added.

According to a report by India Today, Gaekwad had confided in former cricketer Sandeep Patil about his financial challenges amidst his health problems.

In response, former cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar reached out to BCCI Treasurer Ashish Selar, who promised to address the financial support request.

Notably, 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev also advocated for financial support for Gaekwad.

Dev, along with cricket legends such as Mohinder Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar, Sandeep Patil, Dilip Vengsarkar, Madan Lal, Ravi Shastri, and Kirti Azad, worked to raise funds to support their ailing colleague.

Gaekwad had traveled to London and returned a month ago to continue his treatment in Baroda.