Former Indian cricketer Chetan Chauhan passed away today after suffering from multi-organ failure. He had tested positive for COVID-19 in July and was yet to recover from the infection when he developed kidney and blood pressure problems.
Chauhan was admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi PGI Hospital in Lucknow, before being shifted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram and was put on ventilator support after he developed kidney and blood pressure issues on Friday. Chauhan had also contracted coronavirus in July and was yet to recover from that.
Known to be a gritty player, Chauhan played 40 Tests between 1969 and 1978 and scored 2084 runs at an average of 31.57 with 97 being his highest score. He also played in seven ODIs, scoring 153 runs from them. He and Sunil Gavaskar formed a successful opening partnership, scoring over 3000 runs together with 10 century stands in numerous Tests in the 1970s. He was played Ranji Trophy for Maharashtra and Delhi and was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1981.
Born in Uttar Pradesh, Chauhan moved to Maharashtra in 1960 where he developed an interest in cricket, representing Pune University in 1966-67. He impressed with his performances and was eventually selected for the West Zone, and even opened with Sunil Gavaskar during a match in the inter-zonal trophy. Two years later, he made his international debut against New Zealand in Bombay. At the time of his death, he held the position of Sainik Welfare, Home Guards, PRD and Civil Security Ministry in the Uttar Pradesh cabinet. He also served as a sports minister in the state in 2019.
