Anshuman Gaekwad’s Final Rites: Nayan Mongia Arranges the Pyre, Son Performs Last Rites, No Star Cricketers in Attendance
Anshuman Dattajirao Gaekwad, renowned as ‘The Great Wall’ of the Indian cricket team and former coach, passed away on Wednesday night in Vadodara.
His final journey commenced from his residence in Sevasi this morning, and the last rites are currently being conducted at the Kirti Mandir crematorium of the royal family.
Tributes Paid to Anshuman Dattajirao Gaekwad by Fellow Cricketers
Former cricketers, including Roger Binny, President of the BCCI, and Anshuman’s teammates Kiran More, Nayan Mongia, and Atul Bedade, paid their respects by offering tributes and placing logs on the funeral pyre. The final journey was also attended by the father of Irfan and Yusuf Pathan.
Disheartening Absence of Current Cricketers at Anshuman Dattajirao Gaekwad’s Final Journey
It is disheartening that no current cricketers attended the final journey of the legendary cricketer Anshuman Dattajirao Gaekwad. Despite being only a two-hour flight away from Vadodara, none of the star cricketers made it to pay their respects during his final rites.
Kapil Dev and Other Legends Extend Financial Support to Anshuman Dattajirao Gaekwad
It is worth noting that Kapil Dev, the captain of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, extended financial assistance to Anshuman Dattajirao Gaekwad.
Alongside Mohinder Amarnath, Sunil Gavaskar, Sandeep Patil, Dilip Vengsarkar, Madan Lal, Ravi Shastri, and Kirti Azad, Kapil Dev worked towards raising funds to support his ailing teammate.
Anshuman Dattajirao Gaekwad’s Contributions and Achievements in Cricket
Anshuman Dattajirao Gaekwad served as the head coach of the Indian cricket team twice between 1997 and 2000. Under his coaching, India was the runner-up in the 2000 Champions Trophy. During his tenure, Anil Kumble set a record as the first Indian bowler to take 10 wickets in a Test innings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Gaekwad also served as the Chairman of the National Selectors and the Indian Cricketers’ Association during the 1990s. Notably, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the BCCI in June 2018.
In his 12-year career, Gaekwad played 40 Test matches, scoring 1,985 runs at an average of 30, including 2 centuries and 10 fifties. He also amassed 289 runs in 15 One Day Internationals, with his highest score of 201 against Pakistan in Jalandhar in 1983.
