Legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev as well as BCCI secretary Jay Shah were among the dignitaries who attended a prayer meet organized here on Thursday in the memory of Anshuman Gaekwad.
Anshuman Gaekwad, who served Indian cricket as a player, coach and selector, succumbed to blood cancer on July 31 in a private hospital in Vadodara at the age of 71. He was cremated a day later at Kirti Mandir in the city in the presence of Board of Control for Cricket in India president Roger Binny, former wicket keepers Nayan Mongia and Kiran More along with several former and current office-bearers of Baroda Cricket Association.
Anshuman Gaekwad’s association with cricket in India
Anshuman Gaekwad represented India in 40 Test matches, scoring 1985 runs at an average of 30.07, with two hundreds and 10 half-centuries. His best of 201 came against Pakistan in Jalandhar in September 1983. Anshuman Gaekwad’s only other Test hundred was registered against West Indies in Kanpur in February 1979 when he scored 102.
He also featured in 15 one-day matches, scoring 269 runs at an average of 20.69. His only half-century in the format came when he hit an unbeaten 78 against Pakistan in Sahiwal in November 1978. Gaekwad had a decorated first-class career in which he amassed 12136 runs and claimed 143 wickets. Post-retirement, he served as a selector and coach. The former cricketer was the coach of the Indian team that finished runners-up in the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy in Nairobi, going down to New Zealand in the final.
Anshuman Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1975 and 1987, before becoming a selector, and later, the coach of the national team. As a batter, Anshuman Gaekwad scored 1985 runs from 70 Test innings, with a highest score of 201 against Pakistan in 1982-83, where he patiently batted for 671 minutes – then the slowest ever double-century in first-class cricket.
Anshuman Gaekwad had two separate stints as India coach between 1997 and 2000. He first took over in the Sachin Tendulkar era where he oversaw a period of transition, and later came back in the middle of the match-fixing saga, after Kapil Dev’s resignation for a brief time while a permanent appointee was being finalized.
Among India’s high points during his tenure were the Independence Cup triumph, a 2-1 home series win against Australia, Anil Kumble’s 10-wicket haul against Pakistan to level the Test series at home, and a drawn ODI series in New Zealand. He came back at the request of the then BCCI president AC Muttiah, to take them to the final of the ICC Knockout Trophy in 2000, where they lost to New Zealand in the final.
The prayer meet was organized on Thursday in the Sevasi area of Gujarat’s Vadodara city by Gaekwad’s family and people from all walks of life paid tributes to the departed soul.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar told media persons though he knew that Gaekwad was unwell for some time, it was still very shocking to hear about his demise
Sunil Gavaskar shares his condolences for Anshuman Gaekwad for his service to Indian cricket in late 70s till 2000s.
Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar stated that his bond with former opening partner Anshuman Gaekwad would remain intact despite the latter’s death. Gavaskar added that he was aware of Gaekwad’s illness, but was hopeful of his recovery.
Gavaskar, along with former India captain Kapil Dev and BCCI secretary Jay Shah, among others, attended a prayer meeting organized in memory of Gaekwad in Vadodara on Thursday, August 8. Speaking after the prayer meeting, Gavaskar told reporters (as quoted by news agency PTI):
“He was my friend as well as (batting) opening partner. A day before any match, we used to sit and discuss how to tackle fast bowlers. That’s how we became friends from being partners. My connection with him will always remain intact despite his demise. I knew he was not well. But, I was hopeful he would recover.”
Anshuman Gaekwad was suffering from blood cancer and passed away in a private hospital in Vadodara on July 31 at the age of 71. Before that, he was in London for his treatment. His funeral was attended by BCCI president Roger Binny, former wicket-keepers Nayan Mongia and Kiran More, and some former and present office-bearers of the Baroda Cricket Association.