Former Indian Cricketer and Coach Anshuman Gaekwad Dies at 71

Former Indian Cricketer and Coach Anshuman Gaekwad Dead at 71

Anshuman Gaekwad, Esteemed Indian Cricketer and Coach, Dies at 71

Anshuman Gaekwad, a revered figure in Indian cricket, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer. Gaekwad, known for his composed demeanor and staunch defensive batting, represented India in 40 Test matches and 15 One-Day Internationals, accumulating a total of 2,254 runs.Recently, Gaekwad had traveled to London for treatment but returned to Baroda a month ago to continue his fight against the illness.Nicknamed ‘The Wall’ for his defensive playing style, Gaekwad was renowned for his tenacity, famously scoring a double century against Pakistan in Jalandhar in 1983 without the protection of a helmet.Following his playing career, Gaekwad served as a national selector before becoming the head coach of the Indian cricket team. His first stint as coach, from October 1997 to September 1999, was marked by both successes and setbacks. Despite notable achievements in ODIs, a tough tour of Australia and a disappointing World Cup campaign in 1999 led to his departure.Gaekwad returned briefly as head coach in 2000 after Kapil Dev’s resignation, before being succeeded by John Wright, India’s first foreign coach. In recognition of his contributions, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honored Gaekwad with the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018, acknowledging his significant impact on Indian cricket.

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