[the_ad_placement id=”adsense-in-feed”]
By Lata Baisoya
New Delhi: Covid-19 claimed life of former India opener and Uttar Pradesh minister Chetan Chauhan on Sunday. The 73-year-old Chauhan was admitted to Sanjay Gandhi PGI in Lucknow since July 12 after he was found positive for Coronavirus. Later, due to kidney related ailments and his poor health condition, he was shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. On Friday night, he had multi organ failure and was immediately put on ventilator support.
Chauhan, a gutsy cricketer who could face the fury of Jeff Thomson — considered by many as the fastest ever bowler — and dare to go half pitch to hit him and that too without helmet and on a fast Australian pitch, played 40 test matches and 7 ODI for India. He was one of the longest serving opening partners of Sunil Gavaskar. Both shared 11 century stands as opening pair in test cricket. He also had a unique record to his name, being unable to make a century despite aggregating 2084 runs in the 40 tests that he played.
[the_ad_placement id=”content-placement-after-3rd-paragraph”]
Apart from being manager of the Indian Team during their tour of Australia, he had served the Delhi and District Cricket Association in various capacities – president, vice-president, secretary and chief selector. He had also played Ranji Trophy for Maharashtra and Delhi.
He was also elected to the Lok Sabha from Amroha twice in Uttar Pradesh, in 1991 and 1998. He was minister for youth and sports in UP and is the second cabinet minister from the state to have died because of Coronavirus.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the dignitaries who took to their twitter handle to offer their condolences. “Shri Chetan Chauhan Ji distinguished himself as a wonderful cricketer and later as a diligent political leader. He made effective contributions to public service and strengthening the BJP in UP. Anguished by his passing away. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
Edited By: Ananya Sharma
[the_ad_placement id=”sidebar-feed”]
