Former India Cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad Passes Away After Long Battle With Cancer

Bhubaneswar: Former India cricketer and coach Anshuman Gaekwad passed away on Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 71.

The 1983 World Cup winning player was suffering from blood cancer and undergoing treatment at King’s Hospital London.

On July 14, the BCCI decided to release funds of Rs 1 crore for Gaekwad’s treatment after former captain Kapil Dev, along with former teammates like Mohinder Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar, Sandeep Patil, and Ravi Shastri, appealed for help. Members of the 1983 World Cup-winning team also did their bit to support the cricketer.

Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1975 and 1987. He scored 1985 runs in the longer format with the highest 201 against Pakistan in a marathon 11-hour innings. He also served as team India’s coach from October 1997 to September 1999. He was reappointed to the post in 2000 for two months before John Wright took over.

Mourning his demise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Gaekwad will be remembered for his contribution to cricket. He also described him as a gifted player and an outstanding coach.

BCCI’s secretary Jay Shah also expressed his condolences to Gaekwad’s family and friends. “My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr Aunshuman Gaekwad. Heartbreaking for the entire cricket fraternity. May his soul rest in peace,” Shah wrote.

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir also mourned his demise.