Chetan Chauhan, former India opener, passes away at 73 after multiple organ failure

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Former India opener Chetan Chauhan died on Sunday. Chauhan played 40 Tests and seven ODIs from 1969 to 1981.

Key Highlights

• Chetan Chauhan died of COVID-19 on Sunday

• The former India opener also served as team manager of the national team

• He was a Minister in the Uttar Pradesh government

Former Indian cricketer Chetan Chauhan, who had been admitted in a hospital after being tested positive for COVID-19, breathed his last on Sunday.  The 73-year-old Chauhan, who was also a Cabinet Minister in Uttar Pradesh government, was admitted at the Sanjay Gandhi PGI Hospital in Lucknow after testing COVID-19 positive on July 12.

"Early morning today, Chetan ji had a kidney failure and subsequently, had multi-organ failure. He is currently on life support. We are all praying that he wins this battle," a senior DDCA official, who is keeping track of the development, had told PTI on Saturday.

Chauhan, who represented India in 40 Tests, had also been the longest serving opening partner to the legendary Sunil Gavaskar.

He has served the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) in various capacities -- president, vice-president, secretary and chief selector -- apart from being manager of the Indian Team during their tour of Australia. 

Having made his debut as a 22-year-old against Mumbai, Chetan was known to be one of the most courageous batsmen of his generation. One of the most memorable moments of his career as an opener was the 213-run stand he put with Gavaskar at The Oval in 1979, where he contributed 80 runs. The duo also broke the then record for the opening wicket – which was held by Vijay Merchant and Mushtaq Ali - who put on 203 runs at Old Trafford in 1936.

Apart from playing 40 Tests, he also represented India in 7 ODIs. He scored 2084 and 153 runs respectively in both the formats. During his playing days, he was also the first batsman to complete 2000 runs in Tests without scoring a century. He also had 2 Test wickets to his name. He represented Delhi and Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy competition.

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RIP 

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RIP 

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Sunil Gavaskar’s tribute to Chauhan: May your soul have everlasting peace, partner

“Never in my wildest nightmares could I believe that his words about being in the mandatory overs of life would come true so soon.”

Aaja, aaja, gale mil (come, come, give me a hug), after all we are in the mandatory overs of life” was the usual greeting of my opening partner Chetan Chauhan whenever we met over the last two or three years. I would say to him that “no, no, we must have another century partnership” and he would laugh and then say “arre baba (oh boy!), you are the century-maker, not me”.

Never in my wildest nightmares could I believe that his words about being in the mandatory overs of life would come true so soon. It's so hard to believe that his laughter and cheerful banter won't be there the next time I go to Delhi.

 

Chetan always said that if we are asked what was our best contribution to Indian cricket we should say that it was getting the exemptions for the cricketing fraternity. His desire to help others manifested in him joining politics and right till the end he was a giver, not a taker.

He had a good sense of humour too. His favourite song as we walked out to face some of the most hostile bowlers in the game was “muskura ladle muskura (smile, darling, smile)”. That was his way of easing the nerves while confronting challenges. Now that my partner is no more, how can I smile?

May your soul have everlasting peace, partner.