Former India opener Chetan Chauhan passes away

NEW DELHI: Former India Test opener and politician Chetan Chauhan has died aged 73 from coronavirus.

Chauhan tested positive last month was put on ventilator support at a hospital in Gurgaon just outside the capital New Delhi on 14th August, but his condition worsened after he suffered multiple organ failure.

He is one of the highest-profile figures to die from the disease in India. “He had tested negative but then the reports came positive again,” brother Pushpendra Chauhan told media.

Chauhan switched to politics and was a minister in the Uttar Pradesh as a member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is from the same party praised Chauhan as a “diligent political leader”.

Born July 21, 1947, the right-hander played for India in 40 Tests and seven ODIs between 1969 and 1981 scoring 2,237 runs.

He formed a formidable top-order partnership with Sunil Gavaskar, with the duo combining for 3,127 runs at an average of 54.85 in Tests, including 11 century stands.

The highlight was their opening stand of 213 at The Oval in 1979 when Gavaskar’s double century set up a famous win for India. He failed to score a Test century, with 97 his highest-ever innings and accumulated 11,143 runs in 179 first-class matches.

In a heartfelt statement, Gavaskar said he would miss his longest opening partner. “It’s so hard to believe that his laughter and cheerful banter won’t be there the next time I go to Delhi,” Gavaskar wrote.

He added that he felt responsible for his teammate missing out on reaching the elusive century during two key moments in the 1980-81 series. India and Australia drew the series 1-1.

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly remembered Chauhan fondly, having played for India while Chauhan was team manager.

“I am deeply anguished to learn of the passing away of Shri Chetan Chauhan,” Ganguly said in a statement. “Not only was he a tough opening batsman but was a person with a tremendous sense of humour and had a tremendous attachment to Indian cricket.”