The former Indian cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad passed away aged 71 on Wednesday, July 31. The Mumbai-born cricketer was battling with blood cancer and recently returned to India after undergoing treatment at the King's College Hospital in London.
Gaekwad played 55 international matches for India and over 250 domestic matches for Baroda. He made his international debut against West Indies in a Test match at Eden Gardens and last played an ODI game in 1987.
The BCCI Secretary Jay Shah instructed the board to aid Gaekwad for his medical expenses last month. The former captain Kapil Dev had urged the BCCI to provide financial aid to the former cricketer who was receiving treatment in Vadodara.
Indian Prime Minister paid his condolences to Gaeakwad's family and remembered his contribution to Indian cricket in his X post.
"Shri Anshuman Gaekwad Ji will be remembered for his contribution to cricket," PM Modi said in his X post. "He was a gifted player and an outstanding coach. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti."
Jay Shah termed Gaekwad's demise as 'heartbreaking for the cricket fraternity' in his condolence post.
"My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr Aunshuman Gaekwad," Jay Shah wrote in his X post. "Heartbreaking for the entire cricket fraternity. May his soul rest in peace."
Anshuman scored 1985 runs in 70 Test innings at an average of 30.07 with the help of two centuries and 10 fifties. His highest score of 201 came against Pakistan in 1982-83 when he recorded the slowest-ever double hundred in red-ball cricket.
After his playing career, he became the national team selector and later head coach of the men's senior team between 1997 and 2000.
