Anshuman Gaekwad represented India in 40 Test matches and 15 ODIs between 1975 and 1987.
Anshuman Gaekwad, the former Indian cricketer and national head coach, passed away at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with blood cancer. Gaekwad, who had recently been in London, died in Baroda following a brief stint in the ICU due to various health issues.
About Anshuman Gaekwad
Gaekwad represented India in 40 Test matches and 15 ODIs between 1975 and 1987. Post-retirement, he served as a selector and later took on the role of the national team’s coach.
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In his Test career, Gaekwad accumulated 1985 runs from 70 innings, with his highest score being 201 against Pakistan in the 1982-83 series. This innings, which lasted 671 minutes, was noted for being the slowest double-century in first-class cricket at the time.
One of his memorable performances was an innings of 81 against a formidable West Indies team in Jamaica, featuring bowlers like Michael Holding. This was particularly noteworthy as it was achieved in an era without helmets and with fewer restrictions on bouncers.
Anshuman Gaekwad underwent surgery after being struck on the ear by a Holding bouncer, an incident he detailed in his autobiography, “Guts Amid Bloodbath,” released in May 2023.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma expressed his sorrow, stating, “I am absolutely devastated by the news. I was fortunate to have several conversations with him, both during the BCCI awards and personally. His insights were invaluable, and he was always willing to share his experiences and advice. My condolences to his family during this difficult time.”
Gaekwad had two coaching tenures with the Indian team between 1997 and 2000. His first term coincided with Sachin Tendulkar’s captaincy, a period marked by transition. He returned during the match-fixing scandal following Kapil Dev’s resignation to temporarily lead the team.
During Gaekwad’s coaching tenure, India achieved notable successes, including the Independence Cup victory, a 2-1 home series win against Australia, Anil Kumble’s historic 10-wicket haul against Pakistan, and a drawn ODI series in New Zealand. At the request of then BCCI president AC Muthiah, he led the team to the final of the ICC Knockout Trophy in 2000, where they finished as runners-up to New Zealand.
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BCCI president Roger Binny paid tribute to Gaekwad, saying, “Anshuman Gaekwad‘s passing is a significant loss for Indian cricket. His commitment, perseverance, and passion for the game were unmatched. He was not just a cricketer but also a mentor and a friend to many. The cricketing community will deeply miss him, and his contributions will always be cherished.”
Earlier this month, the BCCI allocated INR 1 crore for Gaekwad’s medical treatment following requests from Kapil Dev and Sandeep Patil.