Gurugram: Former India opener Chetan Chauhan passes away at the Medanta hospital due to a multi-organ failure. He was on ventilator support since yesterday.
Chauhan, a minister in Yogi Adiytanath-led Uttar Pradesh government, had donned the blue jersey for India in 7 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and represented the nation in 40 Test matches.
He was known for his opening partnership with former skipper Sunil Gavaskar as opener.
Chauhan along with Gavaskar added 3000+ runs in the longest format of the game, which also included 10-century opening partnerships.
The pair averaged 53.75 runs for the opening wicket, which is also the highest for an opening pair (minimum 1200 runs) in Indian cricket history.
Chauhan made his debut in the longest format of the game vs New Zealand in 1969. However, he was dropped for Team India after two Tests. He was again picked in Indian squad for Australia series but was not able to perform. Chetan was dropped from Team India for three years after his failure against Australia.
Chauhan was again included in the Indian squad during 1972/73 following his stellar show in Ranji season. He was again dropped after two Tests vs England.
Another hundred in Duleep Trophy earned him a place in the Indian team going to Australia and then began Chauhan's most impressive period with the bat. Chauhan scored 157 runs against Victoria in the first match of the tour.
He was drofted in the second match and scored 88 runs in the first innings at Perth. Following his gritty knock at Perth, he became Gavaskar's regular opening partner and only missed one Test match till the end of his career.
Chauhan and Gavaskar's best opening partnership came vs England in 1979, when the duo added 213-run for the opening wicket.
In 1980-81 India vs Australia series, Chauhan ammassed 249 runs in three Tests. After Australia series, India toured New Zealand, where Chauhan could only manage one 50-plus score.
Chauhan has amassed 2084 runs in the longest format of the game without scoring a century and he was known for his opening partnerships with the legendary Sunil Gavaskar. Chauhan's highest score in the red ball cricket is 97 and he has 16 half-centuries under his belt.
After bidding adieu to his cricketing career, Chauhan has been active in cricket administration. He was also associated with the Delhi & District Cricket Association in the past.
