Anshuman Gaekwad, India’s former batsman and coach, dies at 71

Gaekwad played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1975 and 1987, before becoming a selector, and later, coach of the national team.

As a batsman, Gaekwad scored 1985 runs from 70 Test innings, with a top score of 201 against Pakistan in 1982-83, where he batted patiently for 671 minutes – which was the slowest double-century in first-class cricket.

He also made 81 in Jamaica against a West Indies side that boasted the likes of Michael Holding in their attack – a feat made doubly impressive by the fact that it came at a time when there were no helmets or restrictions on bouncers. Gaekwad had to undergo surgery after he was hit in the ear by the Holding bouncer which pierced his ear. He capped his playing career at the highest level, with a century in his last first-class match.

Gaekwad had two separate stints as India’s coach between 1997 and 200. He first took over during Sachin Tendulkar’s tenure in charge of a transitional period, and later returned in the midst of a game-fixing saga, after Kapil Dev’s brief resignation while a permanent nominee was finalised.