Former Head Coach & Star Cricketer Aunshuman Gaekwad Passes Away

Former Team India head coach and star cricketer Aunshuman Gaekwad passed away on Wednesday night. Gaekwad was 71 years old, and he died after losing a long battle with cancer.

He was born on September 23, 1952, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and he is survived by his son Shatrunjay. He was well known for his unique mindset against pace bowlers, which became a high priority when West Indian paces dominated cricket.

The former Team India star cricketer played in 40 Tests and 15 ODIs during the years between 1975 and 1987. He scored 1,985 runs in Test format, with his highest score of 201 against Pakistan, and he also scored 269 runs in the One Day International (ODI) format.

Gaekwad, who is the famous former Team India head coach, had traveled to London, and he also returned to continue the treatment in Vadodara a month ago.

The former cricketer was appointed as Team India’s head coach in October 1997, and he continued until September 1999. Interestingly, it was during his tenure that India star spinner Anil Kumble took all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan on February 7, 1999.

Gaekwad was awarded the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, which is the highest honor conferred by BCCI on a former player, in 2018.