Former Indian Cricketer Chetan Chauhan Passes Away At 73, Cricket Fraternity Pays Homage
The 73 year old cricketer played forty test matches for India and was Sunil Gavasker’s opening partner in 1970s. Chauhan passed away on Sunday 16th August.
Gurugram, India:
Former Indian cricketer also a minister Uttar Pradesh’s current government Chetan Chauhan took his last breath on Sunday 16th August, after he failed to survive a heart attack. Born in Bareilly and brought up in Pune where his father was posted in Army, Chetan contracted COVID-19 disease in July and was admitted in Medanta Hospital at Gurugram. The two-time former BJP Lok Sabha MP from Amroha was Home Guard minister in the Uttar Pradesh cabinet.
He was also appointed as Chairman of NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology) from June 2016 to June 2017. He was minister for youth and sports in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India From 2018 to 2020. He tested positive for Covid-19 in July and was survived by wife Sangeeta and son Vinayak. He was shifted to the ventilator on Friday after developing kidney and blood pressure problems and was on the life-support system for nearly 36 hours. “My elder brother Shri Chetan Chauhan has left us today after fighting a good battle. I sincerely thank everyone who had prayed for his recovery.
His son Vinayak will be reaching anytime and we will then perform last rites,” brother Pushpendra told PTI. Chauhan was one of the most courageous batsmen of Indian cricket; he featured in 40 Test matches and seven ODIs. Chauhan was Gavaskar’s opening partner in tests in 1970s and early 1980s and both scored over 3,000 runs together with 10 century stands in Tests.
Chauhan scored 2,084 Test runs at an average of 31.57 with 97 being his highest score in his long and illustrious career, After quitting the game, Chauhan served the Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) in various volumes— president, vice-president, secretary and chief selector apart from being manager of the Indian Team during its tour of Australia in 2001. He was a Lok Sabha MP twice.
Chauhan currently held the portfolios of Sainik Welfare, Home Guards, PRD and Civil Security in the Uttar Pradesh cabinet.
Chauhan was the first Test cricketer to finish his Test career with over 2000 runs but without a century, with only Shane Warne (3154 runs) is the only other player with a similar record.
Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath and PM Narendra Modi payed their condolences to the family and Chetan Chauhan.
Anil Kapoor, Anil Kumble, Virendra Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and ICC expressed their grief on Chetan’s demise.