At the first ODI series against Sri Lanka on Friday at the R Premadasa Stadium, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian side will wear black armbands in honour of Aunshuman Gaekwad, who passed away on Wednesday. In an official statement following the toss, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) noted, “Team India is wearing black armbands today in memory of former Indian cricketer and coach Aunshuman Gaekwad who passed away on Wednesday.”
From 1975 to 1987, Gaekwad participated in 40 Test matches and 15 One-Day Internationals for India. He later became a selector and led the team as head coach from October 1997 to September 1999. After that, at the BCCI’s request, he took back over as India’s coach for the 2000 Champions Trophy, which they ultimately lost to New Zealand.
The 71-year-old Gaekwad had blood cancer and had gone to King’s College Hospital in London for additional treatment before coming back to his native Vadodara in June. He passed away on Wednesday night at around ten o’clock at the Bhailal Amin General Hospital.
“I was absolutely devastated to hear that news. I was lucky to have a few conversations with him during the BCCI Awards (night), and on a personal note as well. When I was playing Ranji Trophy, he was there and I had a chance to speak to him when he had a few things to say about my game as well, which was overwhelming for me because he was such a great cricketer for us,” said Rohit Sharma, who paid tribute to Gaekwad on the eve of first ODI against Sri Lanka.
“It’s always nice when you learn from your seniors, understand how cricket was played back in the day, how tough it was and then pass on his experiences on cricket and what his visions are about cricket. For me to understand that was a great learning at that point.”
“Condolences to his family, it’s not a good time when you lose your loved ones, it’s always tough. I was lucky that I had a few chances to meet him and talk to him on a personal level,” he said.
In response to requests from a number of former cricket players, the BCCI released INR 1 crore to help Gaekwad’s medical care. Along with former players Kiran More and Nayan Mongia, Roger Binny, the former India player who is presently the BCCI President, attended Gaekwad’s cremation on Thursday afternoon in Vadodara.
Along with Shantha Rangaswamy and Kapil Dev, Gaekwad was a member of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) and received the CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Prior to his death, he was the President of the Indian Cricketers’ Association (ICA), and from 2019 to 2022, he also served as the organization’s representative on the BCCI Apex Council.