Former Indian cricketer and national head coach Anshuman Gaekwad has died at the age of 71 following a prolonged fight with blood cancer. Gaekwad, who had recently been in London, passed away in Baroda after spending some time in the ICU due to multiple health complications.

Gaekwad's Cricketing Journey Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1975 and 1987. He scored 1985 runs in Test cricket, including a memorable double century against Pakistan in 1982-83, which remains one of the slowest double-centuries in first-class cricket history, lasting 671 minutes. He also made a notable 81 against a fearsome West Indies attack in Jamaica, enduring a severe ear injury from a Michael Holding bouncer that punctured his eardrum. This incident is vividly recounted in his autobiography, "Guts Amid Bloodbath," published in May 2023.

Tributes from the Cricketing Community Anil Kumble paid tribute on social media, saying, “Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Aunshu bhai. He was closely associated with my career as selector, coach but more importantly always had my back. A kind hearted person with a fierce competitive streak. Our fraternity is going to miss you Aunshubhai. May God give…”

Coaching and Contributions Gaekwad had two tenures as India's head coach between 1997 and 2000. His first stint coincided with Sachin Tendulkar’s captaincy and saw the team through a transitional period. He returned during the match-fixing crisis following Kapil Dev’s resignation, leading the team temporarily until a permanent coach was appointed. Significant achievements under his guidance include the Independence Cup win, a home series victory against Australia, Anil Kumble’s historic 10-wicket haul against Pakistan, and a tied ODI series in New Zealand. He also led the team to the final of the ICC Knockout Trophy in 2000, where they were runners-up to New Zealand.

Legacy and Final Days Roger Binny, the current BCCI president, honored Gaekwad’s memory, stating, “Anshuman Gaekwad's passing is a great loss for Indian cricket. His dedication, resilience, and love for the game were unparalleled. He was not just a cricketer but a mentor and a friend to many. The cricketing community will miss him dearly, and his contributions will always be remembered.”

In the final weeks of his life, the BCCI provided INR 1 crore for Gaekwad’s medical treatment, following appeals from Kapil Dev and Sandeep Patil for assistance.

Anshuman Gaekwad leaves behind a rich legacy as a player, coach, and mentor, and his loss will be deeply felt across the cricketing world.