Last Updated on 01/08/2024 by wccexam Desk
Former Indian cricket team coach and former cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad passed away in Vadodara on 31 July (Wednesday). 71-year-old Gaekwad was suffering from blood cancer for a long time. Anshuman was also known as ‘The Great Wall’ due to his defensive technique. This technique was very important in that era because West Indies fast bowlers dominated the world stage.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has condoled the death of Anshuman Gaekwad. BCCI President Roger Binny said, ‘The death of Anshuman Gaekwad is a huge loss for Indian cricket. His dedication and love for the game was unmatched. He was not just a cricketer but also a guide and friend to many. The cricket community will miss him greatly and his contribution will always be remembered. My condolences and prayers are with his family and loved ones who are coping with this loss.’
BCCI condoles the demise of Anshuman Gaekwad.
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 1, 2024
On the other hand, BCCI Secretary Mr. Jay Shah said, ‘The demise of Anshuman Gaekwad is a great loss to the cricket world. A true servant of Indian cricket, he will be remembered for his courage, intelligence and dedication to the game. His contribution to the game has been significant and he has left behind a lasting legacy. My condolences are with his family and friends in this difficult time.’
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar also expressed grief over the death of Anshuman Gaekwad. Sachin wrote, ‘I am saddened to hear the news of Anshu Bhai’s demise. I had the privilege of playing against him in the 1980s as well as being coached by him in the late 1990s. He was part of some of the best memories of Indian cricket over the years. A talented player and coach, his contribution to cricket is huge and will always be remembered. His patience and simple nature were different from everyone else. We remained in touch for years and the last time we spoke was just a few months ago. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends in this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace.’
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I am very sad to hear about Anshu bhai’s demise. I had the privilege of playing against him in the 1980s and was also coached by him in the late 1990s.
Over the years, he has been part of some of the great memories of Indian cricket. A talented player and coach, his contribution… pic.twitter.com/AOr0eO9ACO
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 1, 2024
Seeing the condition of Anshuman Gaikwad, Kapil Dev took the initiative to help him. Kapil decided to donate his pension to help Anshuman.Mohinder Amarnath, Sandeep Patil, Madan Lal and Kirti Azad also came forward to help their fellow player. BCCI also helped and announced to give Rs 1 crore for Anshuman’s treatment.
…when Pakistan was stunned!
Anshuman Gaekwad was also called the ‘right hand’ of the great Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar. In most of the 40 Test matches that Gaekwad played, he was Gavaskar’s opening partner. Anshuman Gaekwad batted for 671 minutes to score 201 runs in the Jalandhar Test match against Pakistan in September 1983. This was the slowest double century in first-class cricket at that time. Thanks to Anshuman Gaekwad’s double century, the Indian team easily drew that Test match against Pakistan.
Anshuman Gaekwad’s record was broken by Sri Lanka’s Brandon Kuruppu in April 1987. Kuruppu scored a double century against New Zealand after batting for 777 minutes. Currently, the record for scoring the slowest double century in first class cricket is held by Himachal Pradesh’s Rajiv Nayyar. Rajiv scored a double century in November 1999 against Jammu and Kashmir in a Ranji Trophy match after batting for 810 minutes.
Anshuman Gaekwad made a lot of headlines during the Indian team’s tour of West Indies in 1976. On that tour, India created history by successfully chasing the target of 403 runs in the third Test played in Port of Spain. To avenge this defeat in the third Test, the West Indies bowlers resorted to the bodyline strategy in the fourth Test played in Kingston. In that match, in India’s first innings, Anshuman Gaekwad was hit on the ear by a ball from Michael Holding and he had to go to the hospital. However, before this Gaekwad had played a courageous innings of 81 runs.
Such was Anshuman’s cricketing career
Anshuman Gaekwad made his Test debut against West Indies in Kolkata on 27 December 1974. His last appearance in a Test match was in the Kolkata Test against England which started on the last day of the year 1984. Gaekwad scored 1985 runs in 40 Test matches at an average of 30.07, which included 2 centuries and 10 half-centuries. His best score was 201 runs, which he made against Pakistan. Gaekwad also participated in 15 ODIs for India. He has 269 runs in ODI matches at an average of 20.69.
Anshuman Gaikwad scored 12,136 runs in 206 first class matches at an average of 41.56. During this period, 34 centuries and 47 half-centuries came from his bat. His best score in first class cricket was 225 runs. Apart from this, Gaikwad also played 55 List-A matches, in which he scored a total of 1601 runs at an average of 32.67.
Anshuman Gaekwad took up coaching as a career after retiring from cricket. He was the head coach of the Indian cricket team during 1997-99. Gaekwad also worked for Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (GSFC) and retired from the company in 2000. In June 2018, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honored Gaekwad with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Anshuman Gaekwad’s father Datta Gaekwad also represented India in Test cricket.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)